| 2013-08-13 |    |
Ahead of their big annual shows and sales of gimmer lambs at CCM Skipton next month, the Skipton branch of NEMSA - the North of England Mule Sheep Association – staged a special progeny show at Skipton Auction Mart. (Sunday, August 11)
The five show classes for Blue Faced Leicester rams and their
Mule progeny attracted over 60 entries from NEMSA members, with
the standout performers the Fairburn farming family from Marriforth
Farm, Thornton Steward, near Ripon.
The Fairburn family are pictured at the NEMSA progeny show with their 2012-born first prize Blue Faced Leicester ram and its three Mule gimmer lambs. From right are Henry, Paul and Granville Fairburn, joined by Robin Booth, left, from whom the family acquired the £12,000 ram.
Three generations of the Fairburns were represented in the show
arena – grandfather Granville, his son Paul and his own son Henry,
aged just five.
They were responsible for the first prize bought-in 2012-born Blue
Faced Leicester ram, acquired for £12,000 from the Booth family
in Feizor, near Setle, with its three Mule gimmer lambs, with the
group progressing to become overall progeny champions.
The Fairburns also presented the first prize home-bred, 2012-born
Blue Faced Leicester ram with its three Mule gimmer lambs, along
with the first and second prize single Mule gimmer lambs.
The reserve championship fell to the first prize two-shear or over
Blue Faced Leicester ram with its three Mule gimmer lambs from
Lancashire breeder Alan Barnes, of Cowden, Great Harwood. Mr Barnes
also picked up rosettes in all the other show classes with three
further second prize winners, along with a third prize success.
The red rosette in the show class for three Mule gimmer lambs by
the same sire fell to North Craven breeders George and Anne Whitwell,
and their son David, of Lanshaw Farm, Austwick.
Full results: Home-bred BFL ram, born 2012, with its three Mule
gimmer lambs – 1 E Fairburn & Sons, Marriforth, Thornton Steward,
Ripon, 2 A&KM Barnes, Cowden, Great Harwood, 3 JK Wilson, Hewness
House, Blubberhouses. Bought-in BFL ram, born 2012, with its three
Mule gimmer lambs – 1 E.Fairburn & Sons, 2 A&KM Barnes,
3 JK Wilson.
Two-shear or over BLF ram, home-bred or bought in – 1 A&KM
Barnes, 2 JC&E Pedley, Yore House, Lunds, Sedburgh, 3 S Hallam,
Grange Head, Egton Bridge, Whitby. Three Mule gimmer lambs by the
same sire – 1 GW&A Whitwell, Lanshaw Farm, Austwick, 2 A&KM
Barnes, 3 S Hallam. Single Mule gimmer lamb – 1&2 E Fairburn & Sons,
3 A&KM Barnes
The day also featured four stock judging classes with sheep kindly
loaned by NEMSA members. Results were: Mens – 1 Stephen Porter,
Gunnerside, 2 George Throup, Draughton, 3 Robin Booth, Feizor.
Ladies 1 Carol Porter, Gunnerside, 2.Melanie Waugh, Kilnstown,
Carlisle, 3 Annabel Mason, Eastby. Under 18's –1 Marion Porter,
Gunnerside, 2 Adam Stockton, Skipton, 3 Alice Throup, Draughton,
4, Charlotte Elliot, Mungrisedale, Penrith.
Progeny show judges were Roly Hayton, of Asby Grange, and Harry
Gass, of Nunscleugh, with Geoff Porter, of Riddings, adjudicating
in the sheep judging classes.
Prize money totalling over £600 was presented, thanks to sponsorship
from Pearson Farm Supplies, Carrs Billington Agriculture, Varley
Feeds, Jameson Feeds, Kingsway Veterinary Group, I’Anson Brothers
and High Laithe Catering.
It will be the 29th year that NEMSA has staged its Mule gimmer
lamb shows and sales at CCM Skipton. The 2012 fixtures attracted
some 16,000 lambs and another quality turnout is expected at this
year’s high profile renewals, scheduled for Tuesdays, September
10 and 24.
