Deborah Witcher champion at Skipton Charollais commercial rams showcase
Dyed-in-the-wool Charollais sheep aficionado Deborah Whitcher, who runs the Galtres flock in Skewsby, York, was supreme champion at the British Charollais Sheep Society’s annual commercial rams show and sale at Skipton Auction Mart. (Tues, Sept 17)
She lifted the title with her first prize shearling ram, a January, 2018, son of Banc Pioneer (by Aberkinsey Nuclear Power), purchased three years ago from Welsh breeder Dan Rees. Out of a home-bred dam by leading breed sire, Moss Side Nero, from Lancashire’s Mark Worthington, the victor sold for top price of 500gns to South Yorkshire’s JB&M Hodgson, who farm near Barnsley, with a second Galtres shearling ram again by Banc Pioneer also doing well at 450gns.
Standing reserve champion with his first prize ram lamb was Kenton Foster, who runs the Fosters flock in Garriston, Leyburn. The son of Galtres Ramases returned home and will no doubt find another future opportunity in the sale ring.
Last year’s Skipton supreme champion John Stott Jnr, of the Kingsland flock in Crosscrake, Stainton, picked up second and third prize rosettes in the shearling ram show class with December, 2017-born sons of the same Kirkhouse ram. Both made 480gns.
Mark Worthington, who farms at Higher Moss, Ramsbottom, was himself represented by a trio of home-bred January, 2018, shearling rams, two by Wernfawr Rocket, a third by a Sandbrook tup. All three sold readily, two at 480gns, the other at 450gns.
Deborah Witcher’s father, breed stalwart Charles Marwood, who runs the Foulrice flock in Whenby, York, sold two March, 2018, shearling rams at 400gns each.
Show judge was Pateley Bridge’s Andrew Fisher. Breed enthusiasts will return to Skipton next month for the British Charollais Sheep Society’s annual autumn show and sale of pedigree in-lamb females, on Saturday, October 12.