Father and daughter to the fore at Skipton Charollais showcase
Charollais sheep breeding stalwarts, the Marwood family, who both farm near York, were the standout performers at the British Charollais Sheep Society’s annual show and sale of commercial rams at Skipton Auction Mart.
Charles Marwood, who runs the Foulrice flock at Whenby, stepped up with the first prize shearling ram and show champion, sold for the second top price of 700gns, while his daughter, Deborah Whitcher, of the Galtres flock in Skewsby, took top price honours at 750gns with her second prize shearling ram.
The March, 2015, title winner, bought by J Kelly of Market Harborough in Leicestershire, is one of twins by Dalby Mount Aloe, acquired as a ram lamb at the Worcester Premier Sale in 2012. This year is his fourth season on the Foulrice flock and he was responsible for two-thirds of their 2015 ram lambs, which have sold to 4,800gns.
Mrs Whitcher’s top price shearling ram is a December, 2014, son of the Galtres Lynz Unstoppable-sired Moss Side Nero. He found a new home in Wales with EG&SB Oliver, of Bangor.
Show judge James Huddlestone, of Arkholme, a former chairman and secretary of the North of England Charollais Sheep Society, awarded the reserve championship to the first prize ram lamb from Cyril Dougherty, who runs the Shamrock flock at Kirkby Misperton in North Yorkshire.
The December, 2015, runner-up is by Kirkhouse Pepe, also acquired by Mr Dougherty at Worcester last year and whose own sire, Kirkhouse Optimus, is a former Great Yorkshire Show champion as a ram lamb.
The Skipton reserve champion became another Oliver family acquisition at 300gns and they also went to 360gns to secure the top price ram lamb, the second in class again from Charles Marwood, who was also responsible for the fourth prize ram lamb, which sold for 350gns to F Ainsworth, of Water in Rossendale.
In addition, Mr Marwood sold further shearling rams at 520gns and 450gns, while daughter Deborah chipped in with another 400gns shearling ram
The third prize shearling ram came from another breed and society lynchpin, Kenton Foster, who has the Fosters flock in Leyburn. His January, 2015, Forth House son of Kirkhouse Optimus made 480gns when joining John Bownass in Giggleswick.
Derek Pickles, who runs the Hammerton flock in Green Hammerton, York, also achieved 380gns with a shearling ram by his own Hammerton Ninety One, bought by David Leeming, of Burnt Yates.
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 8.