03/12/08
Local championship-winning beef will be on the menu for Christmas and New Year tables across Nidderdale following a trading coup between a Pateley Bridge farmer and butcher.
Heather Stoney with the
Pateley Bridge Christmas prime stock champion.
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Joe & Trevor Stoney, of J A Stoney & Son, White Wood Farm, exhibited both the champion and reserve champion cattle at Pateley Bridge’s annual Christmas prime stock show on Saturday (Nov 29), then saw both home-bred animals purchased locally by butchers H Weatherhead & Sons, who trade in the town’s High Street.
The show champion was a 17-month-old Blonde d’Aquitaine-cross heifer that has won a host of titles this year, including the best Blonde heifer and best of breed trophies at Countryside Live, Harrogate, reserve champion at both Kilnsey and Malham Shows, overall champion at Arthington Show and local champion at Nidderdale Show.
Out of a British Blue cow, the multiple award-winner was bought for £1,840, top call in show, by butcher Ian Weatherhead, who also purchased the Stoneys’ reserve champion Limousin-cross bullock for £1,780.
The runner-up is also out of a British Blue cow and is by the Stoney’s own Limousin stock bull, purchased in France, home of the renowned breed, four years ago.
The champion and reserve were shown by third generation Stoneys, brother and sister Richard and Heather.
Mr Weatherhead commented: “We always try to buy the very best locally reared prime beef and lamb on behalf of our customers – and you can’t get much more local than the Stoneys, whose farm is right on the doorstep.
“Sourcing our meat in this way gives us hands-on control over the supply process and ensures full traceability, also minimising food miles, which reduces stress on the animals.
“We remain keen to support both local farmers and the local economy by encouraging people to produce and purchase food locally.”
Mr Weatherhead said the prize-winning beef would be carefully prepared, before going on sale in the shop the run-up to Christmas and the New Year.
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