| 2013-07-25 |    |
Six out of six. That’s the unprecedented success achieved by Dales husband and wife sheep farmers Michael and Carol McKenzie, who sent out the champions for the sixth consecutive year at CCM Skipton’s second major seasonal store lamb show and sale. (Wed, July 24)
The McKenzies, of Blue Scar Farm, Arncliffe, once again retained the Robert Morphet Memorial Trophy for the best pen of 50 Suffolk-cross lambs at the annual highlight.
Michael McKenzie, left, receives the annual store lamb trophy from Vincent Pierce, managing director of show sponsors Laurence Pierce Wool Merchants, with the company’s local representative Grace Dobson centre. Showing their appreciation on the rostrum are auctioneers Ted Ogden, left, and Sam Bradley.
It was presented in the sales ring by Vincent Pierce, managing
director of show sponsors Laurence Pierce Wool Merchants – he had
flown over from the company’s Republic of Ireland headquarters
in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow - accompanied by local representative
Grace Dobson, of Clitheroe.
The title winners then went on to sell for a show-topping £70 per
head to John Errington, of F Errington & Son in Tirral, Penrith,
again one of the major buyers on the day. As in 2012, heacquired
all the prize-winning pens – the second prize winners from Bolton
Abbey’s James Foster at £64 each and the third prize pen, also
from the McKenzies, at £68.50 apiece.
The McKenzies’ one and only annual consignment this year comprised
300 Suffolks and they sold further pens at £68.50, £67, £62, and
£56 per head.
Mr McKenzie is flight training manager at Multiflight, the private
aviation company based at Leeds Bradford and Blackpool International
Airports. He leaves the running of his flock in the capable hands
of his daughter Brenda and shepherd Roger Gibson. “It’s all about
attention to detail,” said Roger after their latest success.
The show - Elslack’s James Spensley returned to judge - formed
part of the fortnightly sale of store lambs and breeding sheep,
attracting a total entry of 5,480 head, sold at an overall average
of £56.59 each (£59.08 in 2012)
CCM’s livestock sales manager Ted Ogden noted: “With a degree of
uncertainty caused by the recent blip in the prime trade, vendors
were understandably nervous. Nevertheless, trade was above expectations,
with strong and smart lambs generally £58 to £65 and a few pens
pushing £70. However, there was a far greater proportion of long
keep lambs forward than would usually be expected for the time
of year and healthy small lambs could be bought in the £40s.”
Beltex lambs sold to a day’s high of £75 per head for a pen from
David White, of Hebden, with Texel lambs peaking at £70.50 per
head, achieved by pens from both Thwaite Bros, of Airton, and Carol
Mellin, of Oakworth. Mule and Charollais lamb prices both topped
at £55.50 for respective pens from John and Claire Mason, of Embsay,
and Malcolm Metcalfe, of Baldersby.
