HEXHAM and Northern Marts held its annual Christmas primestock show and sale last week.

The pre-sale show was very ably judged by local prime cattle buyer Mr Frank Robson, of Ryal, and Mr Robson had no less than 30 cattle in front of him to cast his expert eye over.

After much deliberation, the Overall Championship went to the First Prize British Blue x heifer from renowned local cattle producers Messrs Renton, of High Highlaws, in Morpeth. The Champion went on to realise 309.5p/kg and was purchased by JD Hall Family Butchers, in Corbridge. Meanwhile, Reserve Overall Champion went to an outstanding Limousin x steer from Messrs Graham & Son, of Miller Hill, which went on to realise 249.5p/kg to R Pearson Wholesale Butchers.

Young Farmers Champion this year went, again, to Mr Mark Statton, of Tritlington YFC, with an outstanding British Blue x heifer weighing in at 672kg and sold for 289.5p/kg to Kitson’s Butchers, in Northallerton.

The First Prize Limousin x heifer went to Messrs J&A Moralee, of Hard Riding, with a very well-fleshed black heifer going to sell for 275.5p/kg to Thompson Wholesale Meat Ltd, while First Prize Native beast went to a well-finished Aberdeen Angus x heifer from local Hexhamshire finishers Messrs A Hall & Sons, of Barker House, which sold for 225.5p/kg to M/s A&S Green for their farm shop at East Barnwell Farm, in Penshaw.

In the commercial cattle, trade was strong throughout with a few fresh faces ringside especially for the better, heavier sorts. Plenty of heifers sold between 250 and 260p/kg also.

Full report below.