TOP honours at the 37th Exeter and District Primestock Christmas Show, held at Exeter Livestock Market, went to April 2017 Limousin heifer “Wild Card”, shown by Paul and Lin Calcraft from Payhembury, Honiton.

It was the sixth time the couple had claimed the Supreme Championship at the show in eight years.

The heifer went on to make 350 pence per kilo at 582kg and was bought by Darts Farm Master Butchers of Topsham.

Wild Card was Reserve Limousin heifer champion at the Welsh Winter Fair.

The reserve champion came from Mike Kirby of Milton Damerel with "Shady Lady", a September 2017 born Limousin which sold to 300ppk and totalled £1,668.

Jess Maynard of Thelbridge, near Crediton, sold a super 21 month-old Limousin steer "Boo Boo", which won the YFC class and went on to sell well at 250ppk and a respectable £1,465.

A March 2017 born heifer, Sassy Pants, from Paul and Lin Calcraft, was Champion home-bred and Champion sired by a British Blue.

The unhaltered class was headed by Paul and Lin Calcraft, again with a Limousin heifer. “Mystique” weighed in at 220ppk and was sold at £1,434 to R and J Trevarthen of Stithians, Cornwall.

Lin and Paul also took the lamb championship with homebred Blue Texel wether lambs.

Lin Calcraft said she and Paul had finished the 2018 showing season in style, winning Reserve Supreme at the prestigious Welsh Winter Fair and back-to-back wins at the South West Winter Fair, Truro Primestock Show and the Exeter and District Primestock Show. 

Kivells Auctioneers said it was an excellent quality entry of show cattle, butchers lambs and pigs, which sold to a strong trade.

Trophies were presented by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Rob Hannaford.

Mr Hannaford said that he was impressed by the excellent display of cattle and sheep.

He thanked those involved in the show and added: "Exeter City Council continues to be committed to the future of this centre and to supporting agriculture in the region.

"Council officers continue to work closely with the auctioneers, Kivells, to make this a livestock centre which works for both buyers and sellers from Devon and Cornwall and indeed from further afield.

"Operating a centre such as this which encompasses a wide range of activities is never going to be straightforward so the close co-operation of the council and Kivells is vital and, I am pleased to say, very much in evidence."

He added thanks to buyers and sellers.

John Quick, show chairman, of Crediton, said there was a good standard of exhibits across all the classes.

He thanked Exeter City Council which operates the market, Kivells Auctioneers, the sponsors and exhibitors, buyers and those who took along trade stands.