THE VERY best of Herefordshire’s farmers and their livestock, as well as producers from the wider area, were celebrated at the Hereford Marker Auctioneers annual Christmas fatstock show earlier this month.

1712 prime lambs of the highest quality, as well as 1551 cull ewes and 92 goats, were put up for sale and judged at the festive event on December 6, with plenty of trophies and awards up for grabs.

The show was very well supported, with exhibitors and sponsors eagerly waiting to see what judges Shaun Greves-Jones, Herefordshire Meats and Clive Davies made of this year’s offerings.

W L Jerman and Sons of the Wern took home the overall prime lamb award, the Hereford Times cup, for their champion pen of 286 41.1 kilogram lambs. After receiving the award the pen was promptly snapped up, with the judges backing their decision by purchasing the lot at a price of £4.63 per kilogram, equating to £192 per head.

The same family also won the Hereford Butchers Cup for the best pen of five lambs exhibited by a Herefordshire producer as well as the reserve champion award for their pen of 287 44 kilogram lambs which were subsequently purchased by Jake Jones for £170 per head.

Among the show’s other winners was Ella Baker of Dunswater, who was awarded the David Bishop Cup for the best pen of five lambs exhibited by a Young Farmers Club member.

As well as prime lambs, this year saw one of the largest Cull Ewe entries in some time taken to the auction, with eight buyers in attendance.

P Monohan won the award for the best pen of lowland ewes, with J and MC Hartwright coming second and L E Lloyd and son third.

G E Powell had the best pen of hill type ewes, with J R Joseph and Co coming second and R J P Thomas and Son third.

A spokesperson for Hereford Auctioneers said: “Hereford prices, service and convenience stand better than several other local markets.

“With the influx of sheep from the north of the country looking as though it is drying up, now is the time to think about selling surplus ewes.”