British Blue cross tops Skipton prime trade

Well-supported opening September shows for prime cattle and lambs at Skipton Auction Mart saw all three champions purchased by West Yorkshire butchers on Monday.

A 13-month-old British Blue-cross youngster from Red Rose breeder Jimmy Baines, of Trawden, was pick of the prime cattle, selling for the top price in show at £1079 (208p/kg) to Nick Dalby, on behalf of James and Victoria Robertshaw, of Keelham Hall Farm Shop at Thornton, Bradford.

On a day when 3634 prime lambs passed through the ring - the best entry of the year to date - North Craven sheep farmer Richard Frankland, of New Hall Farm, Rathmell, won his third prime lambs championship in as many months. 

His pen of five 40kg Beltex cross lambs sold for show-topping price of £88 per head (220p/kg) to show judge Mick Etherington, buying on behalf of Mark Spauls Butchers, for his two shops in Main Street, Burley-in-Wharfedale, and The Parade, Cottingley.

In addition, there was a special show and sale of Masham prime lambs of behalf of Masham Sheep Breeders Association, which, like the prime cattle show, was also judged by Mr Etherington, who awarded championship honours to David Verity, of W and R Verity, of Grange Farm, Bouthwaite, Ramsgill.

It was the second year in succession that the Verity family had sent out the title winners, with their pen of five 49kg lambs again purchased by Mr Etheringtron for £74 each on behalf of John Kearns Butchers, Market Square, Shipley.