SKIPTON Auction Mart’s 2018 pedigree beef show and sale season begins on Wednesday, with the traditional pipe-opener, the annual ‘Blue Wednesday’ highlight.

The fixture, which holds across-the-board interest for pedigree, commercial, beef and dairy breeders, has attracted a 14-strong turnout of 11 up-and-coming breeding bulls, the majority ready for work, along with a trio of breeding females. Entries have been received from some well-known herds from across Yorkshire and into Lancashire - Greystone, Hallfield, Pendle, Littlebank, Brookfield, High Moss and Hooton, along with the Chardaney herd from Buxton in Derbyshire and the Lincolnshire-based Brantside holding.

Also taking place the same day is the annual Spring show and sale for store cattle with show potential, along with a standalone show and sale for beef feeding cows, plus a prize sale for British Blue-sired store cattle.

Next up on Wednesday, May 2, is the third annual show and sale for native breed cattle, both pedigree and stores. This fixture is increasing in popularity year on year.

Then it’s on to the annual two-day early season Limousin highlight, on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 8 and 9, with the afternoon on day one set aside as usual for the show-only Northern Limousin Extravaganza for 2017-born halter-led pedigree and cross-bred cattle. This will also permit pre-sale viewing of entries by potential vendors ahead of the following day’s high profile Craven Limousin Day feature, the annual Spring show and sale of pedigree Limousin bulls and females. This has attracted a record 121-strong entry, comprising 75 bulls, 36 maiden heifers and five cows with calves at foot.