BORDERWAY Agri Expo, the annual autumn highlight and final show of the season for North of England Mule gimmer lamb aficionados, attracted a record entry of 22 pairs which went under the expert eye of show judge, Val Brown.

Organised by Harrison & Hetherington, and staged at Borderway, in Carlisle, Agri Expo again proved a resounding success.

First prize and the NEMSA Perpetual Trophy went to Carnforth’s James Robinson and Zac Ward, who were repeating their class-winning success at the 2019 showcase, the last time it was staged.

One of the pair was by Asby Hall M13, from Andrew Brown, near Appleby, this by G1 Smearsett, bred at Feizor in North Craven by the Booth family, the other by a M3 Asby Hall son from David Lawson’s Gragareth flock in Westhouse, Ingleton.

James Robinson also runs his own Kaker Mill pedigree Texel flock and is a regular prize winner at breed highlights at Skipton Auction Mart.

Val Brown and her husband, Martin have been breeding North of England Mules for many years alongside Beltex crosses as butchers’ lambs. They, too, are familiar faces at Skipton and past Christmas fatstock show prime lamb champions.

Val, who awarded the runners-up prize to John Wilson and Janet Dunning, of Settle, said: “When judging this highly contested section I was looking for lambs which are correct, good on their legs, with good skin, plenty of bone and obviously they need to be a natural pairing and good for the breed type. I had high hopes for a high calibre of entries - and I wasn’t disappointed.”

NEMSA’s national chairman Chris Harrison said: “Agri Expo remains a leading winter showcase in the UK livestock industry and the sheep sector in particular. We were delighted to participate once again. Those standing ringside commented on the fantastic quality of lambs on show, which were again a real credit to breeders and exhibitors.

“Finally, many thanks must go to all NEMSA members and buyers who travel from the length and breadth of the country to our high profile autumn sales staged at northern auction marts. Together, they have made it such a memorable season for the all-purpose North of England Mule in so many ways. Roll on 2022.”