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06/12/06
The 2006 Christmas shows and sales of prime cattle and prime
lambs at Craven Cattle Marts’ Skipton Auction Mart (Mon,
Dec 4) were among the most successful in recent memory, producing
excellent across-the-board trading levels – including a
mart record price for the champion lambs.
Gathering around the Skipton Christmas prime lambs champions are,
from left, sponsors James Reeday, of F Reeday & Son Trailer
Services, and Sarah Throup, of Farmsense, exhibitors Richard and
Patsy Hodgson, judge Colin Robinson, and Skipton Auction Mart chairman
and trophy presenter Anthony Dean.
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The lambs landmark was achieved when show judge, Grassington
butcher Colin Robinson, paid £166 per head (360p/kilo)
for the title-winning pen of five pure-bred Texel lambs - he
described them as “the prefect butcher’s lambs” – exhibited
by Richard and Patsy Hodgson, of Scale Hill Farm, Skipton, regular
trophy winners at their local mart.
Prime cattle trade was also extremely buoyant, peaking at the £1,544
(260p/kilo) paid by Keelham Farm Shop, of Thornton, Bradford,
for the champion three-quarters Limousin steer from Keith Downs,
of Milner Field, Bingley.
Keelham Farm Shop is run by brother and sister James and Victoria
Robertshaw, who regularly buy title-winning prime animals at
Skipton. “We are firm believers in supporting local producers
and local markets wherever possible. It means everything to us,” said
Victoria.
There were other outstanding performances in both the beef and
lamb classes, where quality stock was in big demand by butcher
buyers or their ringside representatives as they sought to source
locally produced, fully traceable prime meat for this year’s
Christmas tables.
Keith Downs also presented the reserve show champion, a Continental
heifer which realised £1,275 (245p/kg) when bought by show
judge and Calderdale meat wholesaler Richard Bamford, of Halifax.
Back in the prime lambs classes, Calderdale farmer Brian Lund,
of Walshaw Farm, Hebden Bridge, saw his first prize pen of Suffolks
then go on to be chosen as reserve show champions, selling at £66
each £66 (150p/kilo) to Paul Watson, of Hellifield.
The mules class was sponsored by the Skipton branch of the North
of England Mule Sheep Association, with committee member Kevin
Wilson, of Blubberhouses, on hand to present the victor’s
rosette to winning exhibitor David Newbould, of Stan Brae View,
Dallowgill. A trophy for the Swaledales classes was lifted by
John Smith, of Carleton.
Other sponsors were Farmway, F Reeday & Son Trailer Services,
Farmsense and the Kingsway Veterinary Group.
 Manderlea flock tops again at Skipton Texel females winter show
Hampshire Down Ideal for the Future
Improved Lamb Milks From Trouw Nutrition
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