26/11/08
A Limousin-cross youngster from Richard Spence, of Low Jack Field Farm, Sutton-in-Craven, was supreme champion at the annual Christmas calves show and sale at Skipton Auction Mart. (Mon, Nov 24)
The 2008 Skipton Christmas calves champion is pictured with co-judge Tom Atkins, exhibitor Richard Spence and Mark Hartley, of sponsors PV Dobson & Sons.
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Mr Spence, reserve champion in both 2006 and 2007, went one better at this year’s renewal when taking top spot with his bull calf, by a Genus AI sire, out of a home-bred pure Friesian cow.
The title winner, recipient of the Arthur Newman Trophy, went on to top the selling prices in the show classes when acquired for £355 by Carl Fawcett, of Sand Hutton, York.
Mr Fawcett also purchased the first prize black and white bull calf for £188, another success for Mr Spence, who landed a hat-trick of class wins with a Limousin heifer calf, acquired for £228 by Paul Drinkall, Gargrave.
Mr Drinkall also paid £265 for the reserve show champion and first prize British Blue heifer calf from John Bowker, Earby.
Another Carl Fawcett aquisition at £315 was the winner of the British Blue bull calf class from Shaun Sowray, Bishop Thornton.
Best of the other Continentals was a Charolais heifer calf from B Snowden, Stanbury, knocked down for £210 to A & R Birbeck, Kirkby Stephen.
There was a notable double in the native breed classes when two Aberdeen Angus youngsters from D Wells, Wilsden, won both the bull and heifer calf classes. The former sold for £168 to Tom Singleton, Fullwood, the latter for £158 to John Pinder, Newton-in-Bowland.
The show was sponsored by Skipton-based tractors and agricultural machinery specialist PV Dobson & Sons, with prizes presented by sales representative Mark Hartley. Judges were fellow Oakworth farmers Ian Ibbotson and Tom Atkins.
Skipton vendors and purchasers, notably butchers from across the region, can now look forward to “Craven’s Prime Christmas”- the annual festive shows and sales of prime cattle and prime lambs, on Sunday, December 7.
It’s the first time the event has been held on a Sunday in an attempt to recreate the buzz and atmosphere of the former Smithfield Christmas Fatstock Show in London, at the same time giving customers from the regional meat trade a rare opportunity to meet farmers.
Several trophies will be awarded on the day, along with attractive cash prizes, with both vendors and purchasers expected to receive widespread publicity.
Judging begins at 4pm, ahead of sales at 5.30, followed by a festive roast supper and presentation to the inaugural winners of the CCM Stock Person of the Year Awards. The mart has also obtained a historic Smithfield meat porters - or bummarees - meat cart to sell for charity.
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