0:00:03 > 0:00:06Farming is a risky business.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11And when it's time to make money, the stakes are high.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Thainstone Mart - one of Europe's biggest livestock markets.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20You want perfection? There it is. That is some machine. Br-r-r!
0:00:20 > 0:00:25Sheep, cattle and machinery auctioned to the highest bidder,
0:00:25 > 0:00:28day in, day out.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Farmers spend months getting ready for their big sales day.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Pfft! You foul brute.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38And buyers need nerves of steel to bag the bargains.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Folk can easily get carried away.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43It's a bit of an adrenaline thing, bidding.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Fortunes can be made and dreams can be dashed...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..all in the blink of an eye.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Always expect the unexpected!
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Welcome to The Mart.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04Late May - and it's all change at the Mart for one of its busiest days of the year.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Oh, they're still on the sheep.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Can Carol Fowler transform Thainstone in time for the Taste of Grampian?
0:01:10 > 0:01:11That's not your stall.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Come on, now, girls.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Alan Gibbs' pregnant heifers give him the runaround.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Come on, now, you coarse brutes.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- He won that one over there. - OK. I'll go and tag it up now.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28And will turkey farmer Craig Michie's marketing masterstroke
0:01:28 > 0:01:30become the talk of Thainstone?
0:01:30 > 0:01:31There is no-one else to do it.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34I'm hoping that this covers my face well enough.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- Do I look like a turkey? - Yes.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39HE LAUGHS
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Thainstone Mart is massive.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Its three auction rings are served by 510 holding pens,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50connected by 3,000 gates.
0:01:52 > 0:01:5583,000 cattle pass through every year,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59and each and every one of these animals is valuable.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Can you help with the lift?
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Caring for the cattle at Thainstone is an experienced team of handlers.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Among them is Gary Duncan.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Once you get some muck on the cement, it's rather slippy.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15So they could fall, potentially break legs, or sprained...
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Sprained parts get bruised.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20You know, if they're limping going round the ring, then that'll have a
0:02:20 > 0:02:23knock-on effect on maybe the price.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25And when a sale includes pregnant heifers,
0:02:25 > 0:02:30younger cows expecting their first calf, extra care has to be taken.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Oh, them being pregnant, obviously, you've got to watch.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35You've got to be mair gentle. We try to be gentle with all the cattle
0:02:35 > 0:02:38that come in, because the more gentle we are the easier they are to work with.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42It's easy for them to get excited when they're in an alien environment.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45So, yeah, try and be as careful as we can.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Come on in! Come on.
0:02:51 > 0:02:5420 miles away at his farm near Turriff,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Alan Gibb is planning to bring his pregnant heifers to Thainstone.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Come on, girls!
0:03:01 > 0:03:0467-year-old Alan has been around cattle his whole life,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06and has a special bond with these girls -
0:03:06 > 0:03:09particularly his favourite heifer, 44C.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Now, look at that.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15You like that, eh?
0:03:15 > 0:03:20The plan today is just to take these ones in, give them a tidy up and,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23eh, check any tags that's missing.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Come along, ladies.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Alan could already be retired, but he still farms full-time.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Selling the heifers while pregnant takes out some of the hard work.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36CATTLE LOW
0:03:36 > 0:03:39We could calve them and sell them with calf...which is a lot more money.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41It's a lot more risk.
0:03:41 > 0:03:47But, again, I dinnae want to be calving a lot of heifers at my time, at my age.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Like any expectant mother, the heifers like things to be relaxed.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54This is a tricky bit, trying to get them across the road.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58They don't like to go on the hard ground.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Any stress could lead to miscarriage, so Alan has to be careful.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08The secret is to get them far enough over to get the gate closed behind you.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Ah, that's what I thought.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Shhh, shhh, shhh!
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- COW BELLOWS - Whoa, we'll let them back.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Never argue with a pregnant lady.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Come on, now, you coarse brutes.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Nah, they're nae...
0:04:25 > 0:04:29Come on, now, girls. Dinna be bad, now.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33With a bit of patience and gentle cajoling, it's second time lucky.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36CATTLE LOW
0:04:38 > 0:04:42That's stage one complete. Ah, jings, aye!
0:04:42 > 0:04:46We try and present them as best as we can.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47That's about all that we can do.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Ken, I'll just make what I'll make at the sale.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52We're not expecting a load of money.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Just that money's very scarce at the minute with people.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- Me included! - HE CHUCKLES
0:05:02 > 0:05:04But Alan will have to wait for his payday,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08because before the cattle sale, Thainstone's transforming itself
0:05:08 > 0:05:11for Taste of Grampian.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Actually, the cones are in the wrong position.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19The Taste of Grampian event hopes to attract 14,000 visitors to Thainstone this weekend.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22I needed an Arctic truck,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25and a four-by-four.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28It's the biggest food festival in the north-east of Scotland
0:05:28 > 0:05:32and one of the Mart's busiest days of the year.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Guys, did you have a copy of the plan?
0:05:34 > 0:05:38And in charge of it all, events organiser, Carol Fowler.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41So Dan hasn't listened at all.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43He's put the doors in the wrong place.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45She only has five days to set everything up.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Ah, but you've missed this, look. You've missed this.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50This week is all about the set-up.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54So it's making sure that we have the Barbecue Cook School in the right place,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56the outdoor arena in the right place,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00all the market stalls measured out and put into place.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03It's not just the car park being transformed.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07The sale rings are also been repurposed -
0:06:07 > 0:06:11a mammoth task turning cattle sale arenas into food halls.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14But in ring three, things are running late.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- Oh, they're still on the sheep. - The clock's ticking,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22and Carol's team are going to have to pull an all-nighter.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24AUCTIONEER SPEAKS OVER LOUDSPEAKER
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Well, that's quite a lot of cleaning up to do. It's going to be a long night,
0:06:28 > 0:06:33because obviously they're not going to get access until quite late after the sheep sale, so...
0:06:33 > 0:06:35But aren't they cute?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37SHE CHUCKLES
0:06:37 > 0:06:40I think I've just bought some sheep!
0:06:43 > 0:06:46But there will be no mistaken bids with head sheep auctioneer
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Colin Slessor overseeing operations.
0:06:48 > 0:06:55As the sale winds down, he's confident ring three will soon be sparkling.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00A few hours' time, all this mess of sheep doings and sawdust will be cleaned up.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04We'll get everything looking the part and it'll fall in place.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Just get the power hoses out and a wee tidy-up,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and everything will be looking dandy.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12But there's one thing Colin can't control...
0:07:12 > 0:07:16THUNDER CRACKS ..the weather.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21With the festival only hours away, the heavens have opened.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- SHE SIGHS - Well, it's a bit wet, so I'm a little bit depressed.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28But weather aside, Carol has a greater concern.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31RAIN FALLS HEAVILY
0:07:31 > 0:07:35It crosses my mind quite a lot that, "What if nobody comes to my party?"
0:07:35 > 0:07:38I can't imagine there's anybody in Aberdeenshire that doesn't know
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Taste of Grampian's on. So what if nobody comes?
0:07:41 > 0:07:44You know, if we don't get visitors and we don't get people coming,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46then that would be a bit of a disaster.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Definitely coming to Carol's party is Craig Michie.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57But before then, he's making his own preparations for some very special arrivals.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Well, the thermometer's sitting at...
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Oh, dear, it's 11 degrees at the moment now.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08We're going to try and get this up to 26.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Ready, steady, go.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14I will fire these up.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16GAS FLAME POWERS ON
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Later on it should be 26 degrees.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23So, you know, who needs a holiday in the south of Spain when you can sit in here?
0:08:23 > 0:08:25HE LAUGHS
0:08:25 > 0:08:27With only 213 days until Christmas,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Craig's taking delivery of a batch of day-old turkey chicks at the family farm,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35seven miles from Thainstone.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Hello, Peter. How far up the road are you?
0:08:38 > 0:08:43Oh, you're just coming down the lane now? Oh, OK.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Our birds come in early. You know, they come the end of May.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49That's about the earliest in the country,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53because we believe that slow-growing's key to giving you that real
0:08:53 > 0:08:57flavoursome meal on Christmas Day.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Oh, here's the helpers!
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Craig's daughter, Violetta, and wife, Maria,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04are just as keen to see the delivery.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07CHILDREN CHATTER
0:09:07 > 0:09:09(Hush! Shhh, shhh! Quiet for the babies, yeah?)
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Here they come. Here they come, it's game on.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14OK, so what have we got in here?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- There'll be 100 there.- There'll be 100 there, OK.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Shall we count them?
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Just... They're just little babies.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Craig has to unwrap 1,200 chicks today.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29For him, Christmas comes early.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34It's quite exciting, you know?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36They all seem to be well.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41Just get them in front of the feed and just get them to drink as early
0:09:41 > 0:09:44as possible to give them the best opportunity for survival,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46and get them to thrive.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51Pitching in as well Craig's mum and dad, and Maria's cousin, Stephanie.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55You can see that it's a real family effort - everyone gets stuck in.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59And that's important for this business.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01This is the hardest part.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Just being careful where you tread.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Getting underfoot isn't the only danger facing the chicks.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11And here we go. There's one tipped over.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- Go on, Daddy! - If you flip the turkey over,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16because it would just lie there underneath the heater.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19No opportunity to drink or feed
0:10:19 > 0:10:22and, you know, that could be fatal and your mortality rate goes up.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- CHICKS TWEET - Oh, I'm quite worried.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27I just don't want them...
0:10:27 > 0:10:32There's too many, it's hard to kind of keep on top of every single one of them.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Maria's a doctor, but it's Craig who is giving these chicks
0:10:37 > 0:10:39intensive care - with some long nights ahead.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43I've got my deckchair over there, just ready to
0:10:43 > 0:10:49take a breather, have a seat, then I'll be up again, walking the shed.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- Daddy!- Craig met Maria in Colombia while travelling in South America.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56And they intend to bring some Latin flavour to Thainstone.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59This will attract the crowds to our ring at the Taste of Grampian.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01A giant turkey!
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Maria's cousin, Stephanie,
0:11:03 > 0:11:08is trying out the turkey suit that Craig hopes will bring in the advance orders for Christmas.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10SALSA MUSIC
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- SHE LAUGHS - That is a cracking bird! Salsa style.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Look at those moves. You're only born with that.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19I mean, a Scottish farmer, we're pretty wooden.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Like when I met my wife, my moves on the dance floor were a bit...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I just don't have it. I just don't have it.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26But these girls - wow, it's unbelievable.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29I've never seen a turkey that beautiful.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32THEY LAUGH
0:11:37 > 0:11:39At his farm near Turriff,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Alan Gibb is giving his pregnant heifers a spruce up before they go to the Mart.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49We should sell an in-calf heifer like a bride on her wedding day.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52They should be looking... I don't mean pregnant,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55but I mean like a million dollars.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I think that's better now.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04My son is a clipper, putting in the tags, and he's doing the front.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07I have the...filthy bit at the end.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09HE CHUCKLES
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Paying a visit today are Alan's daughter, Marina,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14and his three grandchildren.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- I'd better take a note of that number.- Aye, take a note o' that number!- In case we decide to buy it.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Marina's a farmer too. And a potential purchaser.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29Cos we do buy one or two heifers to add to our suckler herd.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32So we have bought from Dad before.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Papa, that looks like a messy tail.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38It is! Oh, it's a terrible messy tail, this.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43When a beast gets affa nervous, they get excited and skittery.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Just tidying up...
0:12:47 > 0:12:53Pfft! You foul brute. She'll hae to start using toilet roll.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Alan's looking for around £1,400 a heifer.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Where there's muck, there's money.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01But we're still waiting to see the money!
0:13:01 > 0:13:03A beauty treatment can make all the difference,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07and 44C's getting the works.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10She's just a spoilt pet. She's a nice heifer.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11COW BELLOWS
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Papa, can I buy that cow? - Of course you can buy it.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19But have you enough pennies?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22All that remains is for the heifers to be loaded up.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26For the expectant mothers, it can be a risky operation.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29They're 7-8 months pregnant.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33If they have a fall, they'll maybe what we call cast their calf,
0:13:33 > 0:13:34have a miscarriage.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Are you needin' a hand doon there, like?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Oh, I think they're just a bit frightened...
0:13:39 > 0:13:41They're float shy!
0:13:41 > 0:13:46They're a precious cargo. A precious cargo.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49Well, we work it, ye ken, we work it, we do prepare
0:13:49 > 0:13:51them and mak' them ready for the market.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55We have to treat them... We just treat them like eggs.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Very carefully.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59And like most farmers,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Alan's not counting his chickens until they're hatched.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05I know what the heifers cost me,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08so I'll see at the end of the day what kind of profit there'll be left.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13As I say, it'll either be Tesco's Finest for a new suit, or Savile Row.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Depending on the day!
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I'll get the sparky to come and get it for you.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25But, see, there is power.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28It's dawn at Thainstone. And after a long night,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32event organiser Carol Fowler and her team are back in early,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34putting the finishing touches to Taste of Grampian.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Put these up, and I'll put these in reception.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Carol's a details person.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46This lady's obviously put her backdrop up, and it's fallen down.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49That's not your stall. It's earmarked for somebody else.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Just don't get on her wrong side.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55But, ken? Ken, I really do need you to move the van.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- I'm on it now.- OK.
0:14:57 > 0:14:58Puts her heart and soul into it,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01and the whole event works really, really well, primarily because
0:15:01 > 0:15:04there's someone driving it from behind and that's Carol Fowler.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09See, ladies, you've plenty time. Time for a coffee and a bacon roll.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Not for Carol, though. She's got to oversee the final dressing of ring three.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Yesterday afternoon, it was still full of sheep.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21So, this is now transformed.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Yeah, I'm very pleased with it.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27So the only thing they've got to do now is,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31this table's got to get dressed, and this here, we've just delivered,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35is the sausage machine for the sausage-making competition.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40The show celebrates the best food Grampian can offer...
0:15:42 > 0:15:45..but doesn't forget where it comes from.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47So there's a farm exhibit.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53And auctioneer Colin Slessor and his daughter Rachel bring in some of their
0:15:53 > 0:15:55own livestock for the children's tent.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59But there's one thing he's forgotten.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Nip round the car, Rachel, far side of the car,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04see if you can find the brown egg. I'll do a wee bit of trickery,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08I'm going to put an egg in beside that chicken in case she doesn't lay
0:16:08 > 0:16:10an egg today. With all the stress, she might not lay today.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14So we'll put an egg in, because the kids love to see an egg in.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18But later on, if she lays another egg, we'll have to take that one out,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22because the people will think there's a miracle, a cockerel's laid an egg,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25and I don't think that would ever happen.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27No, because they would just think that she's laid two.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29A chicken can never lay two eggs in one day.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- If you can find a chicken... - I thought they could.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33If you can find a chicken that lays two eggs in one day,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36I'll give you £1,000 for it, OK?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- CRAIG:- Keep them toasty.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46For Craig Michie, it's chicks, not eggs, that receive all the attention.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Craig and his team have transformed ring one into a turkey farm for the day.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55This ring, it provides a bit of animation.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Before, we were just outside with a stall, but today,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02people can see exactly what we're about, what we do,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04and it's almost like a virtual farm.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09You know, people can come in and see the process of brooding turkeys.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Craig's brought in more than 100 of these week-old poults,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and he's been preparing them in an unusual way.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18We've had them listening to the radio all yesterday,
0:17:18 > 0:17:22just for them to get them gently used to people's voices and that.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26So, yeah, they're all going to be quite comfortable today.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29SALSA MUSIC While Craig talks turkey,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Carol Fowler can breathe a little easier
0:17:32 > 0:17:34as the crowds are flooding in.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37They've come to my party!
0:17:37 > 0:17:40I know! How exciting is that? Ecstatic, I'm really pleased.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44I mean, look at it. It's fantastic. It's exactly what we want.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Yeah, love it.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Carol's provided plenty of variety to keep the crowds happy.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53From celebrity chefs like Tony Singh...
0:17:53 > 0:17:55£5 for four.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- For four?- Oh, no, we're in Aberdeen. £5 for 12.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00HE LAUGHS
0:18:00 > 0:18:02..to fresh, if fearsome, fish.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05I think I married that!
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Returning to the turkeys,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13it's time to break out Craig's marketing master stroke, the turkey suit.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Unfortunately for Craig, he's lost his South American salsa style.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Maria's cousin's Scottish holiday is over.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27So, reluctantly pulling on the turkey legs is student Ryan Geddes.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30There was no-one else to do it.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34I'm hoping that this covers my face well enough.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37But I think my face shows pretty well through it.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- It does.- Do I look like a turkey? - Yes.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Yes, Ryan, you do.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54I think some people are showing some good interest, mainly people with kids.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Starting to get a bit hotter as well.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04I'm definitely a free-range turkey.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06We need him to make the sound of the turkey, though.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10It could be worse.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- At least he's not an olive. - Ah, fantastic!
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- Olive's come to say hello to the turkey.- I can't see, though.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20I think we'll go and get more leaflets.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23He's the worst turkey I've seen in life, honestly!
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Give us a gobble.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31If Ryan's not winning any awards, over in ring three,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34there's a world record to be broken.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- CROWD:- Three, two, one...
0:19:37 > 0:19:38WHISTLE BLOWS
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Two butchers are going head-to-head to see who can break the world record
0:19:42 > 0:19:45for making the most sausages in a minute.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48And they've strung along Colin Slessor for some additional entertainment.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53I have never, ever, made one sausage in my life.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54I've eaten thousands,
0:19:54 > 0:19:59- but I've never made a sausage, so do not expect anything. - CROWD LAUGHS
0:19:59 > 0:20:02But before Colin gets his bash at banger making,
0:20:02 > 0:20:07time to attempt breaking the current world record of 44 sausages made in a minute.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Come on!
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- CROWD:- Nine, eight, seven, six,
0:20:11 > 0:20:17five, four, three, two, one...
0:20:17 > 0:20:19WHISTLE BLOWS
0:20:19 > 0:20:21APPLAUSE
0:20:21 > 0:20:26While the adjudicators measure and count, cue Colin's comic relief.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Whoa!
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- Oh, we're away again. - How are you feeling?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- Very good! - LAUGHTER
0:20:38 > 0:20:42We're away noo, we're away! They're affa lumpy!
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Right. Let's see this...
0:20:44 > 0:20:47This is the Continental way, judge...
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- CROWD:- Ten, nine, eight, seven...
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58..six, five, four, three, two, one...
0:20:58 > 0:21:00WHISTLE BLOWS
0:21:00 > 0:21:02APPLAUSE
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Look at that!
0:21:06 > 0:21:11A valiant effort, but the total leaves a lot to be desired.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Four sausages isn't bad, is it?
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Keep his day job!
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Colin's not breaking any records, but are the butchers?
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- We've got...54.- Yes! - CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:21:29 > 0:21:32A new world record for butcher Stephen Cusack.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36He's made an astonishing 54 sausages in a minute,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and it's not the only record broken at the Mart today.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42I'll have that one.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46You want that one over there? OK. I'll go and tag it up now.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50For Craig, if not his turkeys, Christmas really has come early.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52He's got a sackful of orders.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56I think it's maybe pushing a few hundred now, which is just incredible,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58I never expected that.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Nearly sold out, maybe.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Couldn't have hoped for more.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09And that'll be music for Carol Fowler's ears.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Don't come near me with that! Argh! Get off with ye!
0:22:12 > 0:22:15The crowds and the weather have been exceptional.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Oh, my goodness, it's a bit too hot, actually, I've got sunburn.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23So that's... It's been amazing, fantastic, we've had a really good day,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26it's all gone smoothly and I'm absolutely delighted.
0:22:26 > 0:22:2814,000, more than 14,000 people, I don't know,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32we haven't got a number yet but a lot of people have been today
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- and it's... - SHE GASPS
0:22:43 > 0:22:45With Taste of Grampian over for another year,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48it's back to business at the Mart.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52I wisnae here to see them coming aff the float.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Alan Gibb's in early to see his girls before the sale.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Just tell me aboot it then. You dinnae want to be sold?
0:22:59 > 0:23:04Well, you maybe willna be. If you don't make a price.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08And it's not just Alan who loves 44C.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10This is the grandchildren's favourite one.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14So I'll maybe split the money between the three grandchildren.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Either that or they could buy the heifer from me!
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Eh?
0:23:21 > 0:23:23With sale time approaching,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Alan's daughter Marina arrives with his three grandchildren, Betsy,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Pippa and Charles. And they've made a decision.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35This morning, their dad, yes, he said, he's giving them the go-ahead.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Oh! Giving them the go-ahead to buy it.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40To buy it, and he'll pay for it.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Mum, it's noisy!
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Just keep waving your hand, then.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Betsy's going to bid for 44C,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51and as the sale starts, the family take their seats.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58This is the first time that they've been to the Mart and they want to buy one of his cows.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02So Betsy wants to do the bidding. So we're a bit nervous.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05And they're not the only ones.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09- How you doing, Tim? - It's a big day for Alan as well.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12This batch, John, is in calf to my best bull.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14- LOUDSPEAKER:- Calved from his best bull...
0:24:14 > 0:24:17He's a little bit nervous. He thinks there's not
0:24:17 > 0:24:23a lot of buyers here, so he'd just like to get it over with, I think.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Alan's relying on head cattle auctioneer John Angus to get the average
0:24:26 > 0:24:30price of £1,400 per head he's looking for.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34At 1,550 bid... At 1,550, 1,550.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37At 1,550!
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Bidding starts strongly. 1,550 a head for his first lot.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44But then things go downhill.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47That's two...heifers, John.
0:24:49 > 0:24:521,300, 1,300. 1,300, come on. 1,300.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58No bid. Bid at 13.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02Only £1,300. And it gets worse.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Well, that's now, that's now there, John.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Some of his cattle go unsold.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Hopefully, 44C will put a smile back on Alan's face.
0:25:18 > 0:25:25And Betsy's. Although, they're not quite sure who's supposed to bid.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Not yet, no. Wait, Betsy's doing it.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Make a nice face.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35Right, put your hand up, Betsy.
0:25:35 > 0:25:3814? 15... 15... 15...
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Down, put it down!
0:25:40 > 0:25:44Bidding is fierce. Someone else has their eye on 44C.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47It's your bid!
0:25:48 > 0:25:50- ..1,550! - Did I take it?
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- No, you have to bid again.- Again? Do it now?- Yeah, bid again.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59- 15...- Down?- Put your hand down!
0:26:01 > 0:26:05- AUCTIONEER:- 1,800. At 1,800. 18, 18...
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Sorry, has he...
0:26:09 > 0:26:13- One more bid! - Gie it to them at 1850, then.
0:26:13 > 0:26:171,850. At 1,850!
0:26:17 > 0:26:21You've got it!
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Betsy, with a little help from Grandad, wins the day.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29OK, John, thanks.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33£1,850. 44C has made the most money of all.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37And despite taking some animals home, Alan's a happy man.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Ah, the sale was good, it was four, I think, I sold.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Four or five not sold.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46It's just, you see your pet one,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49£1,850.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53All that's left to do is settle up.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56You want to pay for your animal now.
0:26:56 > 0:27:03There we are, we've sold 23 and we've averaged £1,465.22.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08- So, we're pleased with that. - BETSY:- Look what Charles did!
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Also pleased are Betsy, Pippa and Charles.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17They're going home with 44C.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21And she's finally getting a proper name.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23What have you called your heifer now, Betsy?
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- Sally.- Oh, what a lovely name! Will you look after it now?
0:27:27 > 0:27:31- Yeah.- I'm sure you will. - I just can't stop looking at it.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35You can't stop looking at it? Oh, me!
0:27:35 > 0:27:39- Cos it's so pretty! - It's, aye, it's so pretty, it's just like you!
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Next time, on The Mart...
0:27:45 > 0:27:47It's out with the old and in with the new...
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- Me?- Aye!
0:27:49 > 0:27:53..as rookie auctioneer Scott Chapman finds himself in the livestock auction box
0:27:53 > 0:27:54for the first time.
0:27:54 > 0:27:5789, I'm bid. 99, 89 bid, 99.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- 80?- 89.- 88.50. 88.50, Colin Simpson.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05The Miller brothers need a good price at auction if they are to continue
0:28:05 > 0:28:10generations of history raising their traditional Caithness sheep.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13If you can't really make any money out of them,
0:28:13 > 0:28:14why are you going to keep going at it?
0:28:14 > 0:28:17What are you doing to the eggs today? Gie's a hud o' that.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21And Mart catering supervisor Linda Fife risks the ire of dozens of
0:28:21 > 0:28:25hungry mart men when she puts her new spicy sausages on the menu.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Are you going to try now a chilli banger?