Mitchells Auction Mart held their Annual Christmas Prize Show & Sale of 180 Prime Cattle and 52 Butchers Lambs on Saturday 27th November 2021.
A record number was entered this year, and this came with one of the best trades to date. Our area and industry truly wanting to show case what the Agricultural Sector supplies to this Country. “They Feed the nation”.
The Cattle Show was judged by Mr Chris Bell, Far Broom, Appleby a well-known and renowned stocksman who farms Beef & Sheep to an exceptional standard with his Family - We were in very capable hands.
Anyone who had travelled, went home having seen one of the best Christmas shows of Butchers animals for many a decade, and a trade which left sellers buzzing. After two hours of intense judging in the Cattle Section the championship was upon us, with no fewer than 17 outstanding first prize cattle to pick from. It must be pointed out that 6 out of the 17 cattle forward had previously been bought and sold through Mitchells Store Cattle Ring.
With all eyes in awe of the quality, the championship was awarded to Lot 111 (Heavy Weight Limousin Heifer) shown by JJ Crichton, Loughrigg, Egremont, receiving the Mitchells Silver Challenge Trophy and £400 the heifer later went on to weigh 704kg, making 700ppk, grossing £4928.00 purchased by Browns Quality Meats, Ulverston.
Reserve honours was closely followed by Lot 2 (Haltered Limousin Steer) shown by A McGowan, Broughton Park receiving the Mr&Mrs Peter Greenhill Trophy and £100, the Limousin steer later sold for 460ppk grossing £3091.20 also purchased by Browns Quality Meats, Ulverston.
The British Charolais Cattle Society Plaque and Rosette for the best Charolais Beast was awarded to the Charolais Heifer shown by TW West, Pickett Howe, Egremont. This heifer was bred in Cumbria at David Bells, Low House, Low Row sired by Leckaway Lucias. She weighed 667kg realising 282ppk or £1880.94 and was purchased by Mr G Nutter.
Steer (£ per head):- Limousin:- 3091.20 Broughton Park, 2317.36 Brinns Farm, 2286.90, 2234.68 Kirklands Farm, 2254.56 Loughrigg, 2236.50 Bothel Parks, 2236.50, 2171.20 Lesson Hall, 2180.85, 2096.70, 2094.40, 1976.40, 1950.00, 1835.80 Hunday Farm, 2142.00, 1943.00 Low House, 2060.64, 1869.56, 1633.70 Lamplugh Hall, 1994.24 Kendal Collage, 1958.80, 1894.05, 1890.95, 1780.80 Allerby Hall, 1932.00 Hundith House, 1897.28 High Plaskett Lands, 1888.04, 1818.96 Newbiggin, 1632.00 High Aketon. British Blue:- 2197.80 Langhorn, 2060.10 Lesson Hall, 1933.70 Brinns Farm, 1641.75 High Aketon. Charolais:- 1938.00 Hunday Farm. Galloway:- 1900.00 Loughrigg, 1662.78, 1487.25 Howside, 1189.76, 1163.34 Norman Farm. Piedmontease:- 1829.00 Seaview. Beef Shorthorn:- 1636.80 Seaview.
Heifer (£ per head):- Limousin:- 4928.00, 2333.10, 2176.72, 2134.08, 2064.60, 2043.60, 1995.84 Loughrigg, 2763.05, 2136.64, 2128.00, 2082.08, 2061.80, 2029.80 Brinns Farm, 2523.50, 2275.55 Kirklands Farm, 2456.80, 2142.00, 1972.08, 1939.80 West Farm, 2291.52, 2205.90, 1977.60 Hundith House, 2086.20, 1964.20, 1950.30 East House, 2038.40 Shatton Lodge, 2034.76 Lesson Hall, 1950.00, 1926.00 High Plaskett Lands, 1946.88 Langhorn. British Blue:- 2582.32, 2137.52, 2079.00, 1996.60 Loughrigg, 2221.80 Kirklands Farm, 1973.40 Slack Farm, 1925.56 Brow Top Farm, 1836.16, 1708.05 High Plaskett Lands, 1830.00, 1796.45 High Aketon,1626.00 Greenhill Farm. Charolais- 1880.94, 1504.50 Pickett Howe, 1830.90 Loughrigg, 1745.80 Greenhill Farm. Aberdeen Angus:- 1794.00 Loughrigg, 1420.00 High Plaskett Lands. Galloway:- 1793.40 Aspatria Hall. Blonde:- 1712.85 Pickett Howe. Beef Shorthorn:- 1703.70 High Plaskett Lands.
Heifer (Pence per kilo):- Limousin:- 700, 385, 340, 338, 312 Loughrigg, 370, 332, 320, 315 West Farm, 365, 352, 340, 338(2) Brinns Farm, 355, 350 Kirklands Farm, 352, 342, 320 Hundith House, 340 Old Hyton, 338 Lesson Hall, 330, 318 Greenhill Farm, 330 East House, 325, 318 High Plaskett Lands, 325 Brow Top, 320 Pickett Howe, 315(2) Hunday Farm. Galloway:- 305 Aspatria Hall Aberdeen Angus:- 300 Loughrigg, 250 High Plaskett Lands. Charolais:- 290 Greenhill Farm, 282, 255 Pickett Howe, 255 Loughrigg. Blonde:- 285 Pickett Howe, 248 High Plaskett Lands. Beef Shorthorn:- 270 High Plaskett Lands.
Steer (Pence per Kilo):- Limousin :- 460 Broughton Park, 340, 335 Low House, 335(2), 325, 308, 305, 290 Hunday Farm, 332 Brinns Farm, 328 Kendal College, 322, 315 Kirklands Farm, 318, 310, 308 Lamplugh Hall, 318, 308 Newbiggin, 308 High Plaskett Lands, 315 Bothel Parks, 308 Loughrigg, 305, 295(2), 265 Allerby Hall, 300 Hundith House, 300 High Aketon, 315, 295 Lesson Hall. British Blue:- 345 Slack Farm, 345 Kirklands Farm, 338, 315, 308, 298 Loughrigg, 330 Langhorn, 322 Brow Top, 315 Lesson Hall, 305 Brinns Farm, 305(2), 275 High Aketon, 302, 295 High Plaskett Lands, 300 Greenhill Farm, 295 Branthwaite Rigg Barn. Piedmontease:- 310 Seaview. Galloway:- 250 Loughrigg, 225, 222 Howside. Charolais:- 300 Hunday Far. Beef Shorthorn:- 220 Seaview.
Prize Winners: -
Limousin Steer Haltered:
1st A McGowan, Broughton Park 460ppk (£3091.20) Browns Quality Meats
2nd BJ Park, Kirklands Farm 315ppk (£2286.90) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
3rd Kendal Collage 328ppk (£1994.25) T Harrison Butchers
Limousin Heifer Haltered:
1st JA Barnett, Brinns Farm 365ppk (£2763.05) B&T Kitson Ltd
2nd JA Barnett, Brinns Farm 340ppk (£2029.80) B&T Kitson Ltd
3rd JG&M Little, Greenhill Farm 330ppk (£1762.20) Bowland Foods
British Blue Heifer Haltered:
1st L Hopwood, Slack Farm 345ppk (£1973.40) B&T Kitson Ltd
2nd BJ Park, Kirklands Farm 345ppk (£2221.80) B&T Kitson Ltd
3rd JA Barnett, Brinns Farm 305ppk (£1933.70) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
Native Bred Heifer:
1st T Pearson, High Plaskett Lands 270ppk (£1703.70) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
Limousin Steer Heavy Weight:
1st JA Barnett, Brinns Farm 332ppk (£2317.36) B&T Kitson Ltd
2nd BJ Park, Kirklands Farm 322ppk (£2234.68) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
3rd J Dixon&Sons, Lesson Hall 315ppk (£2236.50) Taylors Farm Shop
Limousin Steer Light Weight:
1st L Skelton&Son, Low House 340ppk (£2142.00) Browns Quality Meats
2nd M/s Bowe, Hunday Farm 325ppk (£1950.00) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
3rd T Pearson, High Plaskett Lands 308ppk (£1897.28) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
Limousin Heifer Light Weight:
1st JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 340ppk (£1917.60) Wilson Butchers Ltd
2nd JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 310ppk (£1785.60) T Harrison Butchers
3rd P&A Jarman, Brow Top 305ppk (£1680.55) Bowland Foods Ltd
Limousin Heifer Medium Weight:
1st JA Barnett, Brinns Farm 352ppk (£2136.64) B&T Kitson Ltd
2nd JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 385ppk (£2333.10) B&T Kitson Ltd
3rd T Pearson, High Plaskett Lands 325ppk (£1950.00) Millard, Old Hyton
Limousin Heifer Heavy Weight:
1st JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 700ppk (£4928.00) Browns Quality Meats
2nd M/s W Miller, West Farm 370ppk (£2456.80) T Harrison Butchers
3rd BJ Park, Kirklands Farm 350ppk (£2523.50) Browns Quality Meats
British Blue Steer:
1st T&MD Beaty, Langhorn 330ppk (£2197.80) Wilson Butchers Ltd
2nd J Dixon&Sons, Lesson Hall 315ppk (£2060.10) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
3rd M/s W Miller, West Farm 275ppk (£1641.75) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
British Blue Heifer:
1st JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 338ppk (£2582.32) B&T Kitson Ltd
2nd JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 315ppk (£2079.00) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
3rd JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 298ppk (£1996.60) Taylors Farm Shop
Charolais Steer:
1st M/s Bowe, Hunday 300ppk (£1938.00) Bowland Foods Ltd
Charolais Heifer:
1st TW West, Pickett Howe 282ppk (£1880.94) Penny & Sons
2nd JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 255ppk (£1830.90) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
3rd JG&M Little, Greenhill Farm 290ppk (£1745.80) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
Any Other Continental Steer:
1st BJ Park, Kirklands Farm 310ppk (£1829.00) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
Any Other Continental Heifer:
1st TW West, Pickett Howe 285ppk (£1712.85) Pearson Wholesale Butchers
3rd T Pearson, High Plaskett Lands 248ppk (£1346.64) Penny & Sons
Native Bred Steer:
1st JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 250ppk (£1900.00) Haighs Workington Ltd
2nd A&C Park, Seaview 220ppk (£1636.80) Bowland Foods Ltd
3rd R&A Maxwell, Howside 225ppk (£1487.25) Bowland Foods Ltd
Native Bred Heifer:
1st JJ Crichton, Loughrigg 300ppk (£1794.00) T Harrison Butchers
2nd TA Jefferson, Aspatria Hall 305ppk (£1938.00) W Lindsay & Sons Ltd
3rd T Pearson, High Plaskett Lands
Champion:
JJ Crichton, Loughrigg - 1st prize in the Heavy Limousin Heifer Class, selling for 700ppk (£4928.00) to Browns Quality Meats
Reserve Champion:
T McGowan, Broughton Park – 1st prize in the Limousin Steer Haltered Class, selling for 460ppk (£3091.20) to Browns Quality Meats
In the prime lamb’s section, we were delighted to welcome Mr James Whiteford, Tercrosset, West Hall, Walton to judge. James is well known as a great judge of stock and for breeding outstanding continental rams and females which breed this type of butcher’s lambs for the top end of the butcher’s market.
Local breeder Adam Brown, Parkhouse was awarded the Championship with an outstanding pair of Texel sired lambs weighing 56kg £200 and was purchased by Tony Harrison, Main Street, Cockermouth.
Reserve honours was given to the same vendor Mr Adam Brown, Parkhouse with his pair of Beltex sired lambs.
They weighed 53g £180 and was later purchased by W Lindsay&Sons Butchers, Station Street, Cockermouth.
A wonderful show of lambs was very well judged by James.
A highlight of every Christmas Show is the young handler’s section to encourage the next generation. As always this section was well supported with the future seemingly in safe hounds.
Champion young handler was awarded to Mr M Benson, Horrace Farm and Reserve Honours were awarded to Miss B Marrs, Elva Plain.
We would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors for the day: - Carrs Billington Ltd. Hundith Hill Hotel, Marsh Commercial and Brockbank Solicitors.
Prize Winners: -
Pair of Texel Sired Lambs:
1st AJ Brown, Parkhouse 56kg £200 per head T Harrison Butchers
2nd J Nichol, Whinnerah 48kg £145 per head Bowland Foods Ltd
3rd WE&DE Litt, Greengill 48kg £148 per head W Lindsay & Sons Ltd
Pair of Beltex Sired Lambs:
1st AJ Brown, Parkhouse 53kg £180 per head W Lindsay & Sons Ltd
2nd S&JL Sanderson, Swallowdene 44kg £148 per head Bowland Foods Ltd
3rd AE&VJ Errington, Beck House 47kg £160 per head Bowland Foods Ltd
Pair of Dutch Texel Sired Lambs:
1st AJ Brown, Parkhouse 57kg £178 per head T Harrison Butchers
Pair of Suffolk Sired Lambs:
1st WE&DE Litt, Greengill 54kg £150 per head Bowland Foods Ltd
2nd M Benson, Horrace Farm 45kg £132 per head Bowland Foods Ltd
Pair of Any Other Continental Sired Lambs:
1st M Benson, Horrace Farm 50kg £150 per head Bowland Foods Ltd
2nd GS&B Barwise, Bell House 38kg £116 per head Walker
3rd GS&B Barwise, Bell House 37kg £104 per head Walker
Champion: AJ Brown, Parkhouse – 1st Prize Pair of Texel Lambs Class, selling for £200 per head to T Harrison Butchers, Cockermouth.
Reserve Champion: AJ Brown, Parkhouse – 1st Prize Pair of Beltex Lambs Class, selling for £180 per head to W Lindsay & Sons Ltd, Cockermouth.
Young Handlers Prize Winners: -
Under 8:
1st Miss Z Sanderson, Swallowdene 51kg £180 W Lindsay & Sons Ltd
2nd Miss J Marrs, Elva Plain 43kg £155 Bowland Foods Ltd
3rd Miss J Litt, Greengill 47kg £160 W Lindsay & Sons Ltd
8 to 11 Years:
1st Miss R Marrs, Elva Plain 48kg £170 Bowland Foods Ltd
12 to 16 Years:
1st Mr M Benson, Horrace Farm 48kg £180 Bowland Foods Ltd
2nd Mr J Scott, Crooklands 34kg £122 Bowland Foods Ltd
Champion: Mr M Benson, Horrace Farm – 1st 12-16 Years Class, selling for £180 to Bowland Foods Ltd.
Reserve Champion: Miss R Marrs, Elva Plain – 1st 8-11 Years Class, selling for £170 to Bowland Foods Ltd.