Archive Article: 1997/12/19
Another season of Christmas primestock shows has come to
an end. Recent weeks have seen fierce competition in
markets around the country to take the top prizes. As
always, there was some superb stock on offer. Some people
went home smiling, with an armful of silverware, others were
disappointed. Still, theres always next year. farmers weekly
remembers three of this years events…
This 660kg Belgian Blue cross Charolais steer, Buster, won the day at Cardigan mart. Sold by Philip Reed, it made 185p/kg. Among the sheep, the winning pen of five Texel cross lambs changed hands for £60 each.
From a tinsel-strewn rostrum, auctioneer James Stephenson sells the supreme champion beast at York. The 565kg Belgian Blue steer from F E Bowes and Son went under the hammer for 200p/kg. This was a day when the best pen of sheep made £71 apiece.
Show day was certainly a busy one at Longtown, Cumbria, with the weekly sale of sheep attracting an entry of nearly 9000 head. Collecting the title was former farmers weekly Management Matters farmer John Hall. This was the fifth year in succession John has taken the top spot. His 42kg Beltex cross sheep made £61. Overall, sheep averaged 89.2p/kg. Auctioneer Neil McCleary says some finished lambs are now making £5 apiece less than their purchase price – and then there is the cost of keeping them to consider. "It is hitting farmers hard in the pockets," says Mr McCleary.