Beef Classes
These breeds of cattle are kept for the production of beef
Headline Sponsor
They produce calves which will be sold between 12 – 30 months of age for beef. They are kept outside on a diet of grass for a large part of their lives with the calves fed a cereal based diet to produce a desirable carcase.
Our classes for this virtual show have been reduced and amalgamated to just six in the beef section to give the general public an overview of the different breeds and their traits which suit many different types of farm. There are two classes which focus on young animals and young people. New for 2020 a futurity class with no preparation needed, the exhibitors can whet our appetites for next year as hopefully one of their calves from 2020 can appear in the real 2021 show, and our popular young handlers class – judged on the preparation, handling and knowledge of their chosen animal.
CHAMPION OF SECTION is awarded to B4-7 – Best Commercial Breed Animal
Congratulations to Mudd & Bentley with Black Magic
“From the beef section our overall champion is B4-7, a lovely correct, long clean commercial heifer, she was an easy class winner and both myself and Paul Gentry were unanimous in making her overall champion of the section.” (Judge Julie Sedgewick)
Young Handlers are very important to the show – these classes are popular and fiercely contested. The judge will be looking on the video presentation that the handler has prepared their own animal, has presented it to show all the best aspects of the animal, is leading it to show it to its best advantage, the handler themselves must be correctly turned out with spotless clothes including white coat and shiny boots, during the video they will demonstrate they are familiar with the animal how they approach it and the facts which they know about it.
Native breed cow will be a breeding animal with a calf or in calf , from one of the British native breeds . These cattle have been developed to suit the climate and systems in their local area,. You may see Beef Shorthorns which are local , they come in a variety of red/roan and white attractive colourways. The jet black –or dark red – Aberdeen Angus with sleek shiny coats, or we also have regular exhibitors of Dexters, a small black or red breed originally from Ireland and are now popular with small farmers due to their ease of husbandry and dual purpose attributes.
Continental cow with calf or in calf may come from a variety of breeds originating from Europe, the red Limousins, the paler and well named Blonde d Aquitaine, the muscle powerhouse of the cattle world the Belgian Blues.
The commercial cattle so named as these are shown in prime condition for marketing for beef . They may be from a variety of cross breeds, often with some Continental breeding to produce the ideal size and shape of lean carcass which the market requires now a days.
The judge will look for a group of calves which will be suitable to bring into the herd for breeding in two or three years time. They will exhibit breed characteristics but may be a mixture of breeds. They will be an even group showing off their sire`s breeding potential, they will be well grown for their age, of even stature and showing no obvious health issues.
The local beef class for an animal from the show area as defined in the rules, and not having been entered in a previous class.
W E Jameson & Son Ltd, independent family owned company, supplying feeds, fertiliser, seed and animal health products to farmers throughout Yorkshire.
Tel: 01765 689666
I would like to thank the Wensleydale show for their kind invitation to judge the online show.
I was born and raised in the Midlands on a Mixed Farm.
I started my Auctioneer Career in 1986 at Banbury Stockyard, the largest stockyard in Europe. I left Banbury at the age of 21 to join Newark Auction Mart in January 1992 where I remained for the next 27 years. During that time, I conducted many pedigree cattle and sheep sales in the mart, on farm and in other auctions throughout the country.
I officiated sales with the British Limousin Cattle Society , the British Charolais Cattle Society ,the Lincoln Red Cattle Society ,the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society, the British Blue Cattle Society and the British Simmental Cattle Society , together with the British Texel Sheep Society ,the Charollais Sheep Society and the Beltex Sheep Society.
I also conducted the sale at the Annual Royal Smithfield Show a position I was truly honoured to be appointed.
In February 2019 I joined North West Auctions Ltd, which operate J36 (Kendal) and Lancaster Auctions as Managing Director of Farmstock. I enjoyed my time in the Lake District and Lancaster, where I cut my teeth selling pedigree Dairy Cattle, and Mule Gimmer Lambs!
However the lure of the Primestock Ring was too great to resist and I decided to join Darlington Farmers Auction Mart in April this year and conduct all Primestock sales of cattle and sheep, together with assisting in the store cattle sales.
We enter a new exiting chapter of our history with our imminent move to our very own new home at Humbleton Park with fantastic facilities and location.
I look forward to moving to the North East shortly with my property in Lincolnshire currently on the market.
Away from work I keep a small herd of Pedigree Limousin Cattle and Texel Sheep Flock.
Wishing you good luck
Paul Gentry
Julie farms in partnership with her husband on two farms totalling 800 acres in Co Durham in the North East of England. Here, a suckler herd of 80 Limousin and British Blue cross cows, 400 breeding ewes and arable land keeps them busy but Julie has still made time for her passions; breeding, showing and promoting commercial sheep for many years and commercial cattle since 2004.
Julie took her first major championship in 2006 with Venus, a Limousin cross heifer in the Baby Beef class at Countryside Live, Harrogate, followed by championships, reserve championships and several interbreeds at the Great Yorkshire Show, Countryside Live, English Winter Fair, Scottish Winter Fair, Welsh Winter Fair, NBA Beef Expo, Agri Expo, Carlisle and every county show in Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
In 2018 and 2019 she enjoyed much success with a team of four, which included three home bred animals. In 2018 a home bred calf won 6 firsts and a second at Agri Expo to the become the eventual Baby Beef champion. 2019’s major success came with a home bred steer calf, awarded Champion Baby Beef Steer at the English Winter Fair.
As well as her personal showing successes, Julie has extensive experience being on the other side of the competition, judging cattle and sheep at many UK shows and auction mart shows and sales.
Judge's Feedback