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CHAROLLAIS PRESS - TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER

Ramsbottom ram champion at Skipton Charollais highlight Galtres rams were responsible for both the champion and reserve at the British Charollais Sheep Society’s annual show and sale of commercial rams at Skipton Auction Mart. (Tues, Sept 15) The title winner was the first prize shearling ram from Red Rose breeder Mark Worthington, who runs the Moss Side pedigree flock at Higher Moss, Ramsbottom. His January, 2014-born shearling, one of twins by the Netherton Highland Prince son, Galtres Lynz Unstoppable, was acquired by Mr Worthington, who established his flock in 1990 and currently has 30 breeding ewes, at last year’s early Builth Wells sale in Wales. He has also bred sons to 1,000gns.

Out of a home-bred ewe, the victor, who was making his first appearance in the show arena, sold for a price-topping 850gns.

Standing reserve champion was the first prize ram lamb from Chris Geldard, of the Cumbrian-based Wraycastle flock of his parents, John and Rachael Geldard, at Low Foulshaw Farm, Gilpin Bridge, Kendal.

One of December, 2014-born triplets to the Worcester-bought Galtres Never Say Never Again, himself by Mountsted Jethro, out of a home-bred ewe, the runner-up sold for 460gns.

Charollais show judge, well-known Cumbrian Charollais breeder Stephen Pickthall, of Ullock, commented: “The champion really stood out. He is a proper carcase sheep and if anything is going to get fat lambs it will be him. The reserve ram lamb also had lots of style about it.”

Both the champion and reserve fell to the same buyer, fourth generation farmer Gareth Daniels, from Little Barningham in Norfolk, who also runs Green Farm Lamb, which supplies direct to the regional hospitality sector and local abattoir.

Mr Daniels also bought both title-winning pens from Ashley and Rachael Caton, of Otterburn, at the previous week’s big opening NEMSA Mule gimmer lamb show and sale at Skipton. As such, he received a £100 voucher towards a Charollais ram from the Charollais Sheep Society through its joint promotion with NEMSA. Mr Daniels was also active at the Skipton ringside in the same day’s big shearling gimmer sale, securing several prize-winning pens.

The Geldards also sold two further ram lambs by the same sire as their reserve champion at 320gns and 300gns.

Another Lancastrian breeder, Robert Towers, who runs the Camp House pedigree flock in Farleton, near Lancaster, was responsible for the second prize shearling ram, a December, 2013-born triplet by the Foulrice Eurostar son, Aberkinsey Jackpot, out of a Millhouse ewe. He was unsold.

The Galtres flock of Deborah Whitcher, based at Skewsby, York, was itself a rosette winner when presenting the third prize shearling ram, a January, 2014-born twin son of Netherton Kaspian. This, too, returned home.

Deborah’s father, Charles Marwood, who runs the Foulrice pedigree flock in Whenby, near York, stepped up with second prize ram lamb, one of December-born twins by Dalby Mount Aloe, out of a home-bred ewe.

The renowned breeder has had another superb year in the show area, most recently at Kilnsey Show when sending out the supreme champion for the second year in succession – and with the same sheep. His Skipton class runner-up joined Anthony Bradley in Long Preston for 450gns. Mr Marwood also sold a second ram lamb for 300gns.

The third prize ram lamb was consigned by another Cumbrian breeder, John Stott Jnr, of the Kingsland pedigree flock in Crosscrake, Stainton. His January-born single by Rhaeadr Midas, out of a Southam ewe, was knocked down for 350gs to M Robinson, of Whalley.

Breed enthusiasts will be back at Skipton next month for the British Charollais Sheep Society’s annual autumn show and sale of pedigree in-lamb females, on Saturday, October 10.