Oxygen son a breath of fresh air at Skipton pedigree beef fixture

A 21-month-old Limousin bull from Peter Goldsbrough, of Manor House Farm, East Cowton, Northallerton, was supreme champion at the annual multi-breeds show and sale of pedigree beef breeding cattle at Skipton Auction Mart. (Wed, May 21)

By Oxygen, a member of Christine Williams' Shropshire-based Wilodge herd, out of a home-bred cow, the title winner sold for 1,200 guineas to J&E Medcalf, Sicklinghall.

The show of breeding bulls and females again offered significant appeal for pedigree, commercial, beef and dairy herds. Judge was well-known West Yorkshire Limousin breeder Steven Priestley, of Denholme, Bradford, whose Brontemoor herd had been responsible for the champion at the previous three annual fixtures.

He awarded the reserve championship to another young, up-and-coming Limousin bull, Toftgate Cricket, exhibited by Chris Prince, of D&D Prince, Greenhow, Pateley Bridge. The 13-month-old home-bred son of Durham-based Ian Nattrass's Greenwell Trubull was purchased for 1,155gns by G&P Fleetwood, Mirfield.

A second home-bred April, 2007, Limousin bull from the Princes, Toft Gate Cobalt, by the same sire as the reserve, made top price of the day at 1,450 guineas when acquired by T Jowett & Son, Wilsden.

Limousin bulls averaged £1,383, while in-calf Saler heifers from J Greenwood, of Rigel Pedigree, York, sold to 860gns (av £892.50)

The fhow formed part of Skipton's annual Pedigree Beef season, which culminates on Wednesday, June 4, with Blue Ladies Day, the annual show and sale of pedigree British Blue females.