Welsh winter fair 2011 - beef championship

It was a ladies day in the overall beef championship ring. Judge Alan Davies from Butchers' Shop, Welshpool, picked the champion heifer for his top prize, but then called the reserve champion heifer into the ring to make his decision on reserve. In the end, the reserve heifer pipped the champion steer to the post.

The winning ticket went to the Limousin heifer (85) from Christopher Owens, who had previously seen success in the young handlers ring.

Mr Davies said: "The champion heifer was full of meat with a good top line. She was deep in the loin and showy with it."

Speaking about his preference for the fairer sex, Mr Davies said he liked heifers and "preferred them in the shop." He said overall the standard of entry had been good, but the heifers had been better than the bullocks on the day.

This one was bred by Michael Owens and is out of a Limousin cross and by a Derosa Limousin bull by Sarkley Pepsi. She comes from having previously won baby beef champion at Newark in May and been placed second in her class at The Royal Welsh Show. She'll be reluctantly put up for sale at the Fair weighing 538kg.

The reserve was another Limousin sired animal (34), this time from Dylan and Yvonne Hughes who also won Baby beef champion earlier in the day. November 2010 born Red Hot was bred by Brian Griffiths, Welshpool, and was bought at the Second Show Potential at Ruthin in April for £910. This one weighed 564kg on the day.

She was reserve at the Anglesey Winter Fair and third in her class at AgriExpo. This one will be kept for breeding and is one of 15 show potential cows kept by the couple.