Hexham Mart YFC Calf Wintering Competition
2010-03-12

Hexham & Northern Marts were delighted to host their second annual Young Farmers Calf Wintering Competition on 4th & 5th March. The auctioneers were astounded with the number of entrants, 69 in total, that purchased their calf from one of four special sales held in October & November last year. 

The purpose of the competition is to encourage the cattle rearers of the future to select, bid for and buy a calf of their choice at auction and over-winter the animal at home with the aim of making as much profit as possible. The auction company finances the purchase of the calves and this year the purchases totalled over Forty Six Thousand Pounds.

A prize show was held on the evening of Thursday 4^th March prior to the sale the next day. Thirty competitors had taken the time to halter train and dress their calves to a very high standard before presenting them in front of the master judge; John Richardson Esq, Ghyll House, Appleby.  After a very hard fought competition judged over six classes the award of overall champion & the handsome David Carr Trophy was taken by Kevin Ridley of Shitlington Hall, a member of Bellingham Young Farmers, with an outstanding British Blue Cross Bred Steer bred by David Swallow of High Edges Green, Haltwhistle.

The Reserve Champion award went to Jamie Dixon of Westacres, Wark, also a member of Bellingham YFC with a tremendous Limousin Cross Bred Steer bred by Ian Potts of Redburn, Rookhope.

The John Gibb trophy for the best beast of opposite sex to the champion was won by Judith Ward of Dene Cottage, Halwhistle and her Limousin Cross Bred Heifer which she purchased from Graham Robson, Hole Farm, Bellingham.  The smartness of the handler & the animal caught the eye of the judges as the Dalkin Trophy, new for 2010, was presented by Mrs Jean Dalkin to Judith as the winner of the best turned out calf & handler.

Other awards within the prize show were as follows;

Limousin Cross Steer

Limousin Cross Heifer

British Blue Cross Steer

British Blue Cross Heifer

Charolais Cross Steer

Charolais Cross Heifer

All the competitors calves were put up for sale by auction the next day at the weekly sale of store cattle & suckled calves held at Hexham Auction Mart.  The atmosphere was tense as each animal went under the hammer putting club against club and in some cases siblings against each other.  Finally the last calf was sold and the largest profit margin was calculated, this being the main purpose of the competition. 

The winner was Philip Ogle of Wydon Farm, a member of Haltwhistle YFC, with a British Blue Cross Bred Steer, bought from Messrs Tailford of Beacon Rigg for £570 and sold for £870, representing a profit of £300 from purchase to re-sale.  Philip was presented with The JS Hubbuck Trophy by Jeff Hubbuck and also received £100 in prize money for his achievement.  The runner up was the Champion Beast from the previous nights show exhibited by Kevin Ridley showing a profit of £280.

The leading competitors in the profit competition are highlighted below; 

The company would like to thank all competitors, judge, sponsors and all that have made this competition such a huge success.  We look forward to welcoming Young Farmers back to Hexham Auction Mart for the 2010 autumn calf sales when the competition will begin again.  Any YFC member wishing to compete should contact the auctioneers.

Kirkby Stephen Classic is the Bees Knees
ASDA BeefLink Producers Set Out to Produce Suckler Road Map
Carlisle Blondes in Demand