AROUND 300 spectators packed the ring at Hexham Mart for the ninth annual Young Farmers suckled calf wintering competition, a highlight of the Tynedale farming calendar.

And they were rewarded with what auctioneer, Chris Armstrong, described as "the best display of quality ever seen in the show ring at this event."

The aim of the contest is to feed the calf through the winter and make as large a margin as possible when the animal is sold in the spring.

Prior to the sale, the prize show the previous evening gives young handlers the opportunity to display their stockmanship and skill in turning out their calves.

Twenty seven beasts out of the 36 bought with financial help from Hexham and Northern Marts were halter led out for judge, Rachel Mudd, to evaluate.

And after very careful consideration, she tapped out a British Blue Cross Steer as Overall Champion from Cambo YFC member, James Grix of Hill Head Farm, Whalton.

James, 20, who had purchased his beast from Roly and Melanie Carr of Homilton, Bavington won the David Carr trophy, after taking reserve champion last year.

He said: "I'm really pleased, especially as I was runner-up last year. It took a lot of hard work and patience, halter training him and getting him quiet. I'm the first one ever from Cambo Young Farmers to have won it so they're all pleased for me."

Reserve overall and best opposite sex was a Limousin cross heifer from Newton Rigg Agricultural College students. This was a smart blue and white mottled heifer from previous competition winner, Mark Statton, a Tritlington YFC member from High Highlaws, Morpeth.

Furthest travelled, it was purchased in Peebleshire.

Best turned out calf was a black heifer from Coquetdale YFC member, Grant Cummings.

All the young farmers' calves were presented for sale at noon last Friday and buyer interest was evident from all over the UK.

And it was Whitley Chapel member, James Mitchell, of Thistlerigg Farm, High Warden, who made the biggest profit on the day and was awarded the enviable J.S. Hubbock Ltd trophy.

James had bought his British Blue cross heifer for £710 from Beamwham Farm, Bardon Mill on October 20 at the renowned 'Bellingham' sale of spring born suckled calves.

The black heifer had taken first prize in her class the night before and caught the attention of regular North Yorkshire buyer, Les Bainbridge, who paid £1,210, leaving a profit margin of £500.

In second place, with a highly respectable margin of £430 was last year's winner of both trophies, Mr Statton, whose beast made a £430 profit.

Alice Cheesebrough, of Stamfordham YFC, came third whilst the Blue Cross heifer she had brought from Warksfieldhead, made a £365 profit.

Mr Armstrong said the Everitt & Marshall sponsored event had been a roaring success and the YFC cattle had returned a re-sale average value of £1166 per head: "The future of suckler calf production in the North of England is safe in the hands of the next generation of stockmen and women," he added.