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             28/03/07           
              The countdown is on to the 2007 “Pedigree Beef Season” at
                Skipton Auction Mart, featuring a series of high profile midweek
                shows between late April and June, which has become one of the
                highlights of the northern calendar. 
 
              
              
             
              
              
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              The action begins on April 25 with “Blue Wednesday,” the
                third annual show and sale of pedigree Belgian Blue breeding
                bulls, cows and heifers. Once again, the fixture is expected
                to attract top genetics from a number of the north’s leading
                breeders, along with promising young bulls by leading Belgian-bred
                sires. 
                 
                The show will target sires that meet the requirements of both
                pedigree and commercial buyers to generate further interest in
                the breed’s beefing qualities.  
                 
                Next up on Wednesday, May 9, is “Craven’s Limousin
                Day,” a double-header featuring the annual show and sale
                of pedigree Limousin breeding cattle, with classes for bulls
                and females. Potential entrants should note that only halter-led
                animals will qualify for the show, entries for which close on
                April 23. 
                 
                Running alongside this event is a special show - no sale - for
                halter-led pedigree and cross-bred Limousin youngsters. Supported
                by the North East Limousin Breeders Club, it offers a prize fund
                of £1,000. 
                 
                Skipton’s “Ling Fields Beef Cattle Fair,” the
                annual multi-breed show and sale of pedigree beef breeding cattle
                and Spring breeding bull sales, takes place on Wednesday, May
                23. Again, there are special classes for bulls and females, plus
                a halter-led requirement for all entries, which close on May
                9. A special Spring pen-judged show and sale of commercial cows
                and heifers with calves is also scheduled on May 23. 
                 
                The pedigree season concludes on Wednesday, June 20, with the
                third annual “Blue Ladies Day,” a show and sale of
                pedigree Belgian Blue females, with a special invitation for
                pedigree bulls. Entries close on May 23. 
                 
                To foster additional interest, all shows will run alongside weekly
                sales of store cattle, young bulls and suckler breeding cattle. 
                 
                Skipton Auction Mart is also hosting another major beef event
                on Thursday, May 17, the UK’s national beef event, “Beef
                Expo 2007,” organised by the National Beef Association. 
                 
                A show of top suckled calves and store cattle features a prize
                fund of £4,000, including £800 for the overall champion
                and up to £550 for the reserve, depending on class and
                section placings. The 10 classes include three for Continental
                steers, three for Continental heifers, two for pure-bred steers
                and heifers, and two for native bred steers and heifers. 
                 
                The entry fee is £5 per entry for members of the National
                Beef Association and £10 for non-members. Closing date
                for entries is April 17. 
               
                New name on Craven Dairy Auction trophy 
  New Breed UK Introduces Dairy Fertility Programme 
  Prime performances at Skipton Christmas shows            |