The season begins with the traditional pipe-opener, the annual show and sale of British Blue breeding cattle, also supported by a prize sale for British Blue-sired store cattle, on Wednesday, April 27. This is again expected to create considerable interest among potential buyers of sires suitable for breeding on both pedigree and commercial beef and dairy herds. Catalogue entries close on April 20.

2015 Limousin sale
© Adrian Legge Photography

Next up on Wednesday, May 4, is a brand-new sale specifically for native cattle. Native pedigree and pure-bred bulls, females and commercial breeding cattle will go under the hammer in the main sales ring, while a specialist sale for native-sired store cattle and feeding cattle will be staged in the adjoining Craven ring. The closing date for catalogue entries is April 27.

Coming earlier than the Ling Fields Beef Cattle Fair later the same month, the new fixture is said to present an additional opportunity for vendors to sell native breed bulls and create more interest from potential buyers at a time of peak demand, while the store cattle section will provide a chance for finishers to buy cattle for turnout to grass.

Ted Ogden, Craven Cattle Marts’ livestock sales manager, said:
“We continually look to our sales calendar and ways to improve our offering to customers. Sales of pedigree cattle are growing in popularity and as a further boost to the cattle programme at Skipton we have introduced this additional sale specifically for native cattle.”

Limousin cattle then take centre stage at the annual two-day early season breed highlight on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 and 11, with day two again given over to the high profile Spring show and sale of pedigree Limousin bulls and females.

Last year’s showpiece was one of the best on record, with an increased entry of 76 head of cattle attracting vendors and buyers from near and far, producing a solid commercial bull trade, with 80% of the entry sold from a turnout that comprised 58% junior bulls. Senior and intermediate bulls ready for work met a particularly strong trade, while the female section achieved a total clearance.

Last year’s showpiece was one of the best on record, with an increased entry of 76 head of cattle attracting vendors and buyers from near and far, producing a solid commercial bull trade, with 80% of the entry sold from a turnout that comprised 58% junior bulls. Senior and intermediate bulls ready for work met a particularly strong trade, while the female section achieved a total clearance.

The Tomschoice pedigree Limousin herd of James and Sarah Cooper at Hill Top Farm, Dacre, Harrogate, secured top price honours at 5,400gns with a well-proven senior bull.

Day one is again set aside for the annual show-only Northern Limousin Extravaganza for 2015-born halter-led pedigree and cross-bred Limousin youngsters, most of which will be having their first taste of the show arena – and gaining valuable experience from it.

Also taking place the same afternoon is a stock judging event organised by the North East Limousin Breeders Club, who again support both breed fixtures, coupled with an opportunity for pre-sale viewing of entries for the following day’s main sale, for which catalogue entries close on April 25, with an earlier April 11 closing date for the Northern Limousin Extravaganza.

The curtain comes down on Skipton’s pedigree beef season on Wednesday, May 25, with the Ling Fields Beef Cattle Fair, the annual multi-breed show and sale of pedigree beef breeding cattle, coupled with the late Spring sale of breeding bulls. Only halter-led cattle will qualify for the show classes. Catalogue entries close on, May 2.

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