Yorkshire Dales cattle and sheep farmer Robert Crisp, of Nelson House, Calton, is Craven Cattle Marts’ Stock Person of the Year for 2011.
The annual awards scheme is purpose designed to recognise the contribution of regular vendors at Skipton Auction Mart ’ and honour a champion among them. Points are awarded for both prize winners at livestock shows and highest priced stock in several categories at weekly sales throughout the year.
Mr Crisp figured prominently in three of the five awards categories, also winning individual honours for gaining the most points in the prime lamb classes. He regularly sells Mule and Swaledale lambs at Skipton, along with breeding sheep.
Also a regular Craven Dairy Auction exhibitor, Mr Crisp has clinched many prizes for his Holstein Friesian milkers, among them several show championship and reserve championship successes. He also shows and sells calves.
Red Rose ’beef baron’ Jimmy Baines, who farms in both Trawden and Gisburn ’ he was CCM Stockperson of the Year in both 2008 and 2009, the first two years the awards were run - again lifted the title in the prime cattle section.
Individual honours in the dairy and calf section again fell to father-and-son farmers Malcolm and Robert Swires, who run their commercial Holstein Friesian herd at Haverah Park, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate.
In December last year, the Swires clinched their 20th Craven Dairy Auction championship, cementing their position as the most profligate dairy title winners in modern times.
The store cattle title went to Calderdale’s David Broadbent, who farms at Green House Farm, Midgley, near Halifax.
Top points scorers in the store and breeding sheep classes were Ashley and Rachel Caton, of Otterburn Lodge Farm, Otterburn, renowned Mule sheep breeders who have excelled in recent years in the big annual North of England Mule Sheep Association (NEMSA) autumn shows and sales, lifting many a championship.
Many local agricultural businesses again sponsored the Stock Person of the Year Awards.
