Skipton Auction Mart all set for pedigree beef season

The countdown is on to Skipton Auction Mart’s 2009 pedigree beef season.

The series of high profile midweek shows runs through until the end of May and has grown in popularity to become one of the highlights of the northern agricultural show calendar, attracting both exhibitors and buyers from a wide area.

The season commences next week with "Blue Wednesday" on April 29, the annual show and sale of pedigree British Blue breeding bulls, cows and heifers, with bulls particularly suited to pedigree or commercial beef and dairy herds.

Next up on Wednesday, May 13, is Craven Limousin Day, a double-header known as Skipton’s Red Pedigree Event.

It features the annual show and sale of pedigree Limousin breeding bulls and cattle, with classes – halter-led only - for both bulls and females.

The 2009 Northern Limousin Extravaganza also takes place on the same day, supported by the North East Limousin Breeders Club and this year offering record prize money of over £2,000.

A high spot of the northern Limousin schedule, the show-only fixture features juvenile Limousins born in 2008, many of which are entering the exhibition arena for the first time. Breeders who do not normally show will also be welcome. Entries for both shows close next Monday, April 27.

The third and final event on Wednesday, May 27, is another double-header, the Ling Fields Beef Cattle Fair.

First up is the annual multi-breed show and sale of pedigree beef breeding cattle and Spring breeding bulls, with classes for bulls and females.

It’s also Blue Ladies Day, the annual show and sale of pedigree British Blue females. Entries for both close on Monday, May 25, with entry forms for all shows available from Ted Ogden at Skipton Auction Mart. Tel: 01756 792375. Email: admin@ccmauctions.com or visit www.ccmauctions.com

The Oddacres Limousin Spring Challenge is another innovation at Skipton this year. Sponsored by John and Claire Mason, of Oddacres Farm, Embsay, the initiative will see a cash prize of £50 awarded to the vendor of the highest priced commercial suckler cow or heifer with a Limousin-sired calf at foot at the Wednesday breeding cattle sales on April 29, May 13 and May 27.