Darlington Farmers Auction Mart held their annual Christmas show and sale of prime stock on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th November 2025. Forward were 233 cattle and 1629 sheep.
74 Prime Bulls sold to 500ppk or £3799
33 Prime Steers sold to 565ppk or £4068
126 Prime Heifers sold to 610ppk or £4416
1339 Prime Lambs sold to 588ppk or £300
290 Cast Ewes/Rams sold to £300
Charity Auction
Before we get to the nitty gritty of the show and sale reports, the directors and staff at DfAM would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who supported this year’s festive event and helped to raise significant funds for our two chosen organisations. In particular to those of you who donated lots and those who bid for them at Wednesday evenings auction. We are delighted to have raised well over £2000 which will be split equally between the Wildfire Response Team and the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team. Both charities have carried out incredible work in our area this year and with your support we hope they can continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Thank you.
Show Cattle – Thanks go to our judge for the clean on Wednesday evening, Mr Steven Wilson. A gentleman who needs no introduction to the high-end beef business, Steven himself is the proprietor of two exceptional Cumbrian butcher’s shops at Corby Hill and Brampton. Thanks, must also go to our show sponsors who support our shows and sales year-round, they are advertised ringside and between them allow these events to grow year on year.
The fifty-one clean cattle, an increase of twenty-two, on display were a credit to all the vendors; the best of beef farmers from across Durham, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland and the Scottish Borders assembled a wonderful display which certainly warranted the attention of the large assembled ringside crowd.
The business end of the judging brought about a certain sense of déjà vu as our final two cattle were from the same two exhibitors who fought it out in 2024 for the coveted Stephen Aitken memorial trophy. Taking the title for the second-year running was a super heifer from Alan Barnett, Brinns Farm, Shap; a sensational 724kg black Limousin fed to perfection and typical of the high-quality we see year in year out from Brinns Farm. The bridesmaid again picking up reserve champion was a fantastic steer from Georgina Laws of High Village Farm, Leyburn; another marvellous type from the John Smith-Jackson production line of quality cattle this beautiful British Blue cross weighed in at 720kg.
The familiar winners didn’t stop there as our regular raiders from over the border, the Fleming family of Moss Tower, Kelso claimed the Jim Marks memorial trophy for the best homebred beast for the second time in succession. The Scottish superstar was an outstanding Aberdeen Angus crossed heifer which weighed an impressive 701kg.
With such a strong offering some classes were split, a full list of results appears below but congratulations must go to all those with hard earned red rosettes. The flying chap from Shap scooped three first prizes, there were one apiece for local feeders Georgina Laws, Brian Walker, NE Dyson, Michael Robinson and Elliot Grieves. Claiming two red rosettes was another Cumbrian challenger Willie Miller along with one achieved by Messrs Lawson & Son also from our neighbouring county to the west. Last but by no means least were the traveling consignors from the north as the consistent Renton’s of High Highlaws led the Northumbrian challenge and the aforementioned flying Fleming’s represented Scotland in excellent fashion.
The bull show took place on Thursday morning and a quality offering appeared. The champion bull was a fantastic Limousin from AS & SM Kemp & Son, Heugh Hall; the classy Kemp bull fought off stiff competition from the Hird’s of Meadow View, Whashton and Rochester & Murray, Glebe Farm, Butsfield. The Friesian class was somewhat more one way traffic as an excellent trio from MA & PD Foster, Smithy House Farm blew away the competition and secured all three rosettes. A new trophy for our annual Christmas bull show this year was won for the first time by the successful Kemp family from Heugh Hall. The Alan and Tony Busby memorial trophy will be presented annually to the best British Blue sired bull, a fitting touch as the Marrick based father and son team were renowned for their brilliant Blue’s and were indeed previous DfAM Christmas champions.
Show Results
Champion
A Barnett, Brinns Farm sold for 610ppk and £4416 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill & Brampton
Reserve Champion
AG Laws, High Village Farm sold for 565ppk and £4068 to John Penny & Sons, Rawdon
Jim Marks Memorial for the Best Homebred
WM Fleming, Moss Tower sold for 530ppk and £3715 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill & Brampton
Champion Steer
AG Laws, High Village Farm sold for 565ppk and £4068 to John Penny & Sons, Rawdon
Reserve Champion Steer
NE Dyson, Gebdykes sold for 460ppk and £3652 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
Champion Heifer
A Barnett, Brinns Farm sold for 610ppk and £4416 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill & Brampton
Reserve Champion Heifer
A Barnett, Brinns Farm sold for 565ppk and £3124 to H Taylor & Sons Butchers, Darlington
Haltered Steer
1st AG Laws, High Village sold for 565ppk and £4068 to John Penny & Sons, Rawdon
Limousin Steer
1st NE Dyson, Gebdykes sold for 460ppk and £3652 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
2nd Messrs Lawson & Son, Hundith Hall sold for 416ppk and £3536 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
3rd M Robinson & Sons, East Alwent sold for 495ppk and £3524 to JA Jewitt, Spennymoor
Limousin Heifer 530-550kg
1st W Miller, High Aketon sold for 522ppk and £2860 to Thompson Wholesale, Witton-le-Wear
2nd W Miller, High Aketon sold for 500ppk and £2675 to Thompson Wholesale, Witton-le-Wear
3rd W Miller, High Aketon sold for 506ppk and £2772 to Browns Quality Butchers, Ulverston
Limousin Heifer 551-565kg
1st A Barnett, Brinns sold for 565ppk and £3124 to H Taylor & Sons Butchers, Darlington
2nd W Miller, High Aketon sold for 510ppk and £2881 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill and Brampton
3rd W Miller, High Aketon sold for 488ppk and £2752 to H Taylor & Sons Butchers, Darlington
Limousin Heifer 566-610kg
1st Renton Highlaws, Morpeth sold for 518ppk and £3076 to John Penny & Sons, Rawdon
2nd B Walker, Birch Springs sold for 530ppk and £3185 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill and Brampton
3rd W Miller, High Aketon sold for 510ppk and £2891 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill and Brampton
Limousin Heifer (over 611kg)
1st A Barnett, Brinns Farm sold for 610ppk and £4416 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill & Brampton
2nd W Swinbank & Sons, Greystones sold for 488ppk and £3333 to JA Jewitt, Spennymoor
3rd A Barnett, Brinns Farm sold for 518ppk and £3382 to John Penny & Sons, Rawdon
British Blue Steer
1st M Robinson & Sons, East Alwent sold for 452ppk and £2974 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
2nd EW Grieves, Oakdene sold for 452ppk and £2897 to Browns Quality Butchers, Ulverston
3rd Sykes Produce, New Farm sold for 430ppk and £2489 to George Bolam Foods, Sedgefield
British Blue Heifer
1st A Barnett, Brinns Farm sold for 515ppk and £3460 to Browns Quality Butchers, Ulverston
2nd W Miller, High Aketon sold for 508ppk and £2860 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill & Brampton
3rd Renton Highlaws, Morpeth sold for 498ppk and £3012 to John Penny & Sons, Rawdon
Charolais Heifer
1st W Miller, High Aketon sold for 482ppk and £3186 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill & Brampton
2nd M Robinson & Sons, East Alwent sold for 440ppk and £2943 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
Other Continental Steer
1st B Walker, Birch Springs sold for 432ppk and £2730 to JA Jewitt, Spennymoor
Other Continental Heifer
1st EW Grieves, Oakdene sold for 438ppk and £3000 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
Native Bred Steer or Heifer
1st WM Fleming, Moss Tower sold for 530ppk and £3715 to Steven Wilson Butchers, Corby Hill & Brampton
2nd EW Grieves, Oakdene sold for 410ppk and £2673 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
Steer or Heifer aged 30-36 months
1st Messrs Lawson & Son, Hundith Hall sold for 466ppk and £3112 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
2nd JJ Crichton, Loughrigg sold for 490ppk and £2930 to Browns Quality Butchers, Ulverston
3rd JJ Crichton, Loughrigg sold for 420ppk and £3162 to Worsley Wholesale, Liversedge
Champion Bull
AS & SM Kemp & Son, Heugh Hall sold for 500ppk and £3585 to Bowland Foods, Preston
Alan & Tony Busby Memorial Trophy for the Best British Blue Bull
AS & SM Kemp & Son, Heugh Hall sold for 465ppk and £3799 to Bowland Foods, Preston
Continental Bull
1st AS & SM Kemp & Son, Heugh Hall sold for 500ppk and £3585 to Bowland Foods, Preston
2nd GK, KN & GJ Hird, Meadow View sold for 465ppk and £3255 to JA Jewitt, Spennymoor
3rd Rochester & Murray, Glebe Farm sold for 450ppk and £2911 to JA Jewitt, Spennymoor
Friesian Bull
1st MA & PD Foster, Smithy House sold for 344ppk and £2425 to JA Jewitt, Spennymoor
2nd MA & PD Foster, Smithy House sold for 336ppk and £2069 to Bowland Foods, Preston
3rd MA & PD Foster, Smithy House sold for 310ppk and £2380 to JA Jewitt, Spennymoor
Show Lambs
Many thanks go to Mr Ian Brown of Brown’s Quality Butchers and Brown’s Farm Shop, Lindal-in-Furness, Ulverston who expertly carried out the judging duties. More of the déjà vu from last year unfolded in the sheep pens as the seemingly unstoppable Harry Askwith of Middle Mown Meadows went back-to-back as our Christmas lamb champion, well done. The winning pair were fabulous 51.5kg Beltex lambs, turned out perfectly as always from the Crook based young man. Reserve champion this year went to an even younger young man as Luke Bell-Percy, Springhill Farm, Masham chased the champion all the way with his 47kg pair of crackers, watch out everyone as the up and coming Luke is certainly a future winner. Red rosettes were also found by David Brannen and the Ramsay brothers whilst Richard Bailes of Cole Hill Farm continues to absolutely dominate the native classes with his super Suffolks.
Lamb Show Results:
Champion- Askwiths, Low Mown Meadows, 2 lambs (51kg) £300 or 588ppk sold to Roots Farm Shop.
Reserve Champion- Luke Bell-Percy, Springhill, 2 lambs (47kg) £250 or 531ppk sold to JA Jewitt Meat Ltd.
Class 14- Best pen of 2 continental lambs, combined weight up to 80kg
1st– JD Brannen, Red Barns Farm, 2 lambs (38kg) £153 or 402ppk sold to Vivers Scotlamb.
2nd– Askwiths, Low Mown Meadows, 2 lambs (35kg) £144 or 411ppk sold to Vivers Scotlamb.
Class 15- Best pen of 2 continental lambs, combined weight of 81-90kg
1st– W Ramsay & Sons, Blakeley Hill, 2 lambs (42kg) £172 or 409ppk sold to Shans Group Ltd.
2nd– JD Brannen, Red Barns Farm, 2 lambs (43kg) £172 or 382ppk sold to Shans Group Ltd.
Class 16- Best pen of 2 continental lambs, combined weight of 91-100kg
1st– Luke Bell-Percy, Springhill, 2 lambs (47kg) £250 or 532ppk sold to JA Jewitt Meat Ltd.
2nd– Askwiths, Low Mown Meadows, 2 lambs (47kg) £218 or 463ppk sold to Vivers Scotlamb.
3rd– Luke Bell-Percy, Springhill, 2 lambs (48kg) £188 or 391ppk sold to JA Jewitt Meat Ltd.
Class 17- Best pen of 2 continental lambs, combined weight 101kg and over
1st– Askwiths, Low Mown Meadows, 2 lambs (51kg) £300 or 588ppk sold to Roots Farm Shop.
2nd– Askwiths, Low Mown Meadows, 2 lambs (52kg) £230 or 442ppk sold to JA Jewitt Meat Ltd.
3rd– Double O Livestock, Bridge House Farm, 2 lambs (55kg) £238 or 432ppk sold to Roots Farm Shop.
Class 18- Best pen of 2 Native bred lambs any weight
1st– Cole Hill Farm Ltd, 2 lambs (54kg) £188 or 348ppk sold to J Loughlin & Sons
2nd– Cole Hill Farm Ltd, 2 lambs (60kg) £202 or 336ppk sold to Pickstock Foods
3rd– Cole Hill Farm Ltd, 2 lambs (60kg) £194 or 323ppk sold to Pickstock Foods
Sale Reports
Prime Bulls (74) – The bulls bash on to average a very pleasing 381ppk and £2781. The show bulls certainly aided the fine averages as those forward to show levelled up at 413ppk and £3017 which is a remarkable jump of 99ppk and £808 on the Christmas show last year. Not hard to find the sale leaders on show day as the Kemp’s of Bowburn topped the prices per kilo with the champion at 500 pence and the prices per head with their trophy winning British Blue at £3799. The strength and depth were available for all to see as an incredible twenty-three bulls sold between 400ppk and 500ppk and the same number also sold over £3000.
A few of today’s leading averages:
AS&SM Kemp, Heugh Hall Farm sold 9 (790kg) average 437ppk & £3457
Messrs Trotter, Hoselaw Farm sold 3 (823kg) average 409ppk & £3368
PI Harker, Worsall Grove sold 2 (841kg) average 370ppk & £3117
JB Luck & Son, Milestone House sold 2 (710kg) average 430ppk & £3053
SH Watson & Son, Low Fields Barn sold 3 (733kg) average 404ppk & £2967
Continental Bulls – Top prices ppk 500 465 448 440×2 427 418 409 399 AS&SM Kemp & Son. 465 GK KN & GJ Hird. 450 440 Rochester & Murray. 440 435 420 395×2 391 CH&SE Armstrong. 430×2 JB Luck & Son. 421 419 SH Watson & Son. 420 416 392 Messrs Trotter. 418 LS Staley. 407 JE Jordon & Son. 404 JK&CE Farming. 399 PI Harker. 298 JJ Horn. 398 A&D Proctor. 398 TF Bothroyd & Son.
Lead Grossing Continental Bulls £3799 £3687 £3585 £3566 £3498 £3496 £3279 £3181 £3027 AS&SM Kemp & Son. £3599 £2911 Rochester & Murray. £3532 LS Staley. £3456 £3334 £3312 Messrs Trotter. £3411 £2823 PI Harker. £3385 E Scott. £3336 £2769 JB Luck & Son. £3255 GK KN & GJ Hird. £3188 £2956 £2838 £2796 £2780 CH&SE Armstrong. £3155 £3119 SH Watson & Son. £3108 JJ Horn. £3015 JE Jordon & Son.
Native Bulls – Top prices ppk 350×2 344 342 340×2 336 CH&SE Armstrong. 330 329 E Scott. 300 H Davison.
Lead Grossing Native Bulls £2808 £2660 £2604 £2593 £2572 £2570 £2441 CH&SE Armstrong. £2806 £2659 E Scott. £1980 H Daavison.
Friesian Bulls – Top prices ppk 359 352 R Hall & Son. 344 336 310 MA&PD Foster. 316 JK&CE Farming.
Lead Grossing Friesian Bulls £2425 £2380 £2069 MA&PD Foster. £2330 £2218 R Hall & Son. £2085 JK&CE Farming.
Clean Cattle (159) – A great day amongst the clean, the obvious glitter and glamour from the show cattle were backed up by a good-sized show and a sharper trade for the processing R and O grades throughout to see the heifers average a whopping 445ppk and £2653 with the steers on song to level at 410ppk and an enormous £2900. Top of the tree was naturally our champion heifer which sold for 610ppk and £4416, following was the reserve champion steer at 565ppk and £4068. In the higher echelons today, the returns are impressive with no less than eighteen cattle over 500ppk and a marvellous thirty-six over £3000. The averages from the show look good too as fifty-one forward to judge averaged 472ppk and £2973 which is a noticeable rise of 72ppk and £484 on the year.
Clean Cattle- Lead Grossing Top Averages
A Barnett sold 6 (659kg) Average £3503
WM Fleming sold 2 (641kg) Average £3341
Messrs Lawson & Son sold 5 (718kg) Average £3137
E Buchan sold 3 (719kg) Average £3109
Clean Cattle- PPK Top Averages
A Barnett sold 6 (659kg) Average 531ppk
WM Fleming sold 2 (641kg) Average 520ppk
W Miller sold 13 (565kg) Average 491ppk
Renton Highlaws Ltd sold 4 (584kg) Average 487ppk
Steers – Top prices ppk 565 AG Laws. 495 452 M Robinson & Son. 460 NE Dyson. 460 452 410 EW Grieves. 448 436 414 E Buchan. 436 390 TN Callender. 432 B Walker. 430 Sykes Produce Ltd. 424 410 398 A Crowder. 420 JJ Crichton. 416 408 Lawson & Son. 412 JR&B Anderson. 396 388 G&JY Marshall. 390 P&N Tattersall. 389 387 386 362 354 CA Smith.
Lead Grossing Steers £4068 AG Laws. £3652 NE Dyson. £3536 £3145 Lawson & Son. £3524 £2974 M Robinson & Sons. £3222 £3063 £3041 E Buchan. £3193 £3178 £3149 £3107 £3055 £2678 CA Smith. £3162 JJ Crichton. £3021 £2964 TN Callender. £2990 £2897 £2673 EW Grieves. £2849 £2503 £2425 A crowder. £2730 B Walker. £2631 G&JY Marshall. £2521 J&L Shepherd & Son.
Heifers – Top prices ppk 610 565 518 515 502 480 A Barnett. 530 B Walker. 522 510×2 508 506 500 498 488 487 482 W Miller. 518 498 482 Renton Highlaws Ltd. 510 WM Fleming. 509 496 488 486 R Hirst. 500 E Miller. 490 488 W Swinbank & Sons. 490 474 JJ Crichton. 488 468 Messrs Trotter. 486 M Robinson & Sons. 486 483 478 JV&JA Hodgson. 484 478 TW West. 469 A&D Proctor. 466 Lawson & Son.
Lead Grossing Heifers £4416 £3576 £3460 £3382 £3124 £3062 A Barnett. £3715 £2968 WM Fleming. £3345 £3119 £3043 £2956 J&L Shepherd & Son. £3333 £2979 W Swinbank & Sons. £3324 £3113 Lawson & Son. £3310 E Miller. £3186 £2988 £2891 £2881 W Miller. £3185 B Walker. £3105 £2943 M Robinson & Sons. £3076 £3012 Renton Highlaws Ltd. £3003 R Hirst. £3000 EW Grieves. £2930 JJ Crichton.
Prime Lambs (1339)- Out with the show stopping show lambs and the trade rumbled on in a very similar fashion to average a weighed straight 327ppk and £148.14 with an SQQ of 335ppk. We can again doth our cap to the judge as the top prices went with the prize winners which were all mentioned above. Best of the commercials at 442ppk were eight 45kg Belex from R Atkinson, High Greenbury at 442ppk and eight super 44kg Texel’s from J Layfield, Nackshivan at £199.
Lambs- Lead Grossing Top Averages
Askwiths sold 10 (47kg) Average £221
Luke Bell-Percy sold 4 (47kg) Average £219
Cole Hill Farm Ltd sold 6 (58kg) Average £194
O Chapman & O Parkin sold 8 (54kg) Average £193
W Ramsay & Sons sold 14 (46kg) Average £177
Lambs – Top prices ppk 588 463 442 411 407 Askwiths. 531 391 L Bell-Percy. 452 J Layfield. 444 430 398 W Ramsay & Sons. 442 424 406 377 369 361 357 R Atkinson. 432 O Chapman & O Parkin. 402 382 367 348 338 JD Brannen. 375 351 350 W Denham. 372 J&S Barnes. 370 346 A&PA Jopling. 358 CH&MC Phalp. 354 Bowes Bros. 354 352 348 342 A Tindale. 353 MW&M Skidmore. 348 Cole Hill Farm Ltd. 343 CH Tindale. 343 342 DK Barker.
Lead Grossing Lambs £300 £230 £218 £216 Askwiths. £250 £188 L Bell-Percy. £238 £198 £190 £170 O Chapman & O Parkin. £218 £203 £198 £172 W Ramsay & Sons. £202 £194 £188 Cole Hill farm Ltd. £199 £184 £170 £163 J Layfield. £191 £183 £170×2 £164.50 R Atkinson. £189 £172 £170 £167×2 MJ Marley. £186 £164 D&PH Brown. £180 £176 £172 JD Brannen. £179 W Denham. £177 £170 RO Gilson. £176 £170.50 £169 TW Clark & Son. £170 RO Gilson.
Cast Ewes & Rams (290) A few more forward and trade very much standing on from the previous week to see them average £114. One anomaly of a Beltex ewe from WA Wardman Ltd, Thrushwood reached the dizzy heights of £300 however the honest assessment is that the strong continental ewes are trading £160 to £200 whilst the fit Mule ewes are £120 to £145. Horned ewes hit £100 twice on the spin for pens of Blackface from JH Johnson, White Lea.
