Leyburn Marts Spring Spectacular

LEYBURN Auction Mart celebrated its tenth anniversary spring spectacular for show potential cattle with another successful event.

With 51 cattle entered, expert judge and respected cattleman in the show world Michael Alford, of Devon, was invited back as the main judge, while his wife Melanie was chosen to decide the young handlers' section.

Local breeders Bill and Maureen Orme, of Stalling Busk, near Leyburn, took the overall champion with a home-bred Charolais X steer “Charlie”, which sold for £1,700 to regular supporter and helper at the spring spectacular Anne Turnbull, of Coxwold, York.

Reserve champion went to John Smith-Jackson, of Haltwhistle, with a British Blue cross steer, with Luke and Beth Wilkinson, of Leyburn, being the successful bidders at £4,200. This steer also took the special prize sponsored by the British Blue Cattle Society for being the breed champion.

Trevor and Johnny Lyon, from Lincolnshire, were awarded the champion British Blue heifer, which then took the reserve British Blue prize and sold for £1,350 to the Dent Family, of Lartington, Barnard Castle.

The Dent family were to the fore again, this time as sellers, being awarded the champion heifer with a Limousin, making £3,000 to Dean Allen, of Sinnington, York.

The reserve champion heifer, presented by Garrowby Farms, of Bugthorpe, York, was snapped up by Dickie Anderson, of Middleham for £3,300.

The Young Handlers' award was again keenly contested with judge Melanie Alford choosing Luke Wilkinson as the overall winner out of the two age groups. Second to Luke in the under-sixteen class was William Porter, of Riddings Farm, Reeth.

First out of the over-sixteens was Hannah Brown, Bedale, followed by Beth Wilkinson then Marion Porter, of Reeth, in third.

First prize unled went to Maureen and Bill Orme with a Limousin heifer at £1,450 and Walburn Hall Farms, Richmond, in second place selling for £1,220.

Averages: British Blue heifers, £1,494; Limousin heifers, £1,695; heifers overall £1,610. British Blue steers, £1,797; Limousin and Charolais steers, £1,261. Steers overall, £1,469.