A STRONG show of calves was forward for the annual Junior Farmers’ Calf Club show and sale of store cattle at Darlington Auction Mart, where Ben Cowton from Low West House, Tow Law, scooped both the champion and reserve honours. 
His champion, as chosen by judge, Julie Sedgewick, Ricknall Grange, Aycliffe, was a Limousin cross heifer bought last October from Nigel Swinbank, Neasham, for £1005. She sold for £1200 to Jeremy Waind, Malton. 
Reserve for Ben was another bred by Nigel Swinbank, this time a Limousin cross bullock bought for £990 on the same day as the champion. Forking out £1220 for this one was Barry Dunkley from Masham. 
Sale leader, however, was a Limousin cross bullock from Elliot Grieves, Oakdene, Whinney Hill, which produced the highest gross margin in the competition. Purchased last November for £890, from David Ayre, Roger Moor, Barnard Castle, he sold for £1380 to Robert Matten, Thirsk.
Outwith the show, an entry of 94 store bullocks hit £1380, while 104 heifers sold to £1240 for an entry from Dylan Robson. 
An entry of 45 breeding sheep peaked at £172 for a pen of three continental ewes with twins from W and JM Clifford, Dropsell Farm, Trimdon, while 362 store hoggs sold to £118 from N Barker. 


LEADING awards:
Calves – Young bull – 1, Christopher Patterson, Cowstand; 2, Kate Seymour, Dromanby; 3, San Seymour, Dromanby. Limousin bullock – 1 and reserve champion, Ben Cowton, Low West House. Bullock AOB – 1, Emma Watson, East Thorn Farm. Heifer – 1 and champion, Ben Cowton; 2, Dylan Robson, 3 Church Lane; 3, Emma Watson. Showmanship – Ben Cowton.