Yorkshire's Christmas primestock shows and sales are still going ahead despite Covid pandemic

In more recent years some livestock markets have held two-day events or special Sunday extravaganzas, but this year they are turning to social media and their own websites in order to convey some of the highlights.

Adherence to operational restrictions for conducting livestock markets due to Covid-19 has meant that local marts are not currently the hive of social activity they are during normal times.

York and Skipton have both embraced new technology and will broadcast elements of their Christmas primestock shows and sales, so that those who cannot be present can see which cattle have won and how much they have made at auction.

Richard Tasker, of York Auction Centre, said: “We have taken on the services of a professional camera crew that will record highlights of the show, that will be shown on our website, www.ylc.co.uk, by visiting our YAC Online page, on the same day, on Monday, December 7. It is all part of our greater use of technology. YACOnline is home to our newly launched online bidding platform.

“Our Christmas show and sale of prime cattle has long been a big day for us, including a pork pie competition, the presence of the Lord Mayor of York, our Christmas Cheer fundraising effort and a special charity auction, which will also be ‘live’ on our YAC Online page. What we are trying to do in these difficult times is at least give everyone an opportunity to see what is going on.”

Richard added: “We will be filming the build-up to the show, with comments from those who are presenting cattle and what they feel their chances may be, and we are hopeful that this part of the day will go ‘live’ on our website and social media that same morning.

“We will then feature the best heifer, steer and bull followed by the overall champion, with commentary, an explanation from the judge and then the filming of the champion beast with its sash. Our final action will feature Edward Stephenson selling the champion, with everything going ‘live’ by 3pm.”

The seating all around the livestock ring would normally be packed to the rafters with stockmen and women, families, butchers and invited guests, plus some public who have come to the mart every year to watch what has become a spectacle.

Attendance around the ring is currently restricted to buyers only, with vendors instructed to ‘drop and go’ except for one exhibitor per consignment, judges, staff and the film crew.

“That’s why we have invested further in our website and filming this year’s prime cattle show and sale,” said Richard. “We are always conscious of our relationship with our vendors and both taking part and winning at the Christmas show has become an important part of our calendar. There are those with proud records who look forward to pitting their stock against others and competing for the winners’ sash and the rosettes. It’s also quite a time for our butchers.

“Selling beef from a champion beast in one of the classes at York adds to their shop sales and provides a unique talking point with customers.

“The special online version of our charity auction, the results of our Christmas Cheer fund raffle, along with full results from the show and sale will all be available.”

Also on December 7, Craven Cattle Mart at Skipton will host its Christmas Primestock show and sale, which will be shown on Facebook Live.

Jeremy Eaton, of Skipton Mart, said: “We have been using Facebook Live regularly for our monthly primestock sales and now that everyone is becoming much more confident with technology it is proving a great way of showing what is going on at the mart.

“Our Christmas show and sale will be a much lower profile than what has become our annual Sunday extravaganza, but at least we can give a flavour of what is going on.

“All of our classes will be judged around the pens rather than in a ring. We won’t be encouraging people to be around the pens, no more than is strictly allowed. We have been keen on security and safety with a reset to ‘drop and go’ since the latest restrictions, but with common sense applied.”

Jeremy added: “We will be awarding rosettes to the class winners to help the butchers sell their meat in butcher’s shops and farm shops that support us throughout the year. We’ve had a lot less people around but stock has been selling well and that gives the farmers confidence. Being able to watch on Facebook Live is something that also keeps that social aspect.”

Richard, Jeremy and other auction markets are now embracing online selling and social media opportunities more than ever before.

Richard has transferred his successful and long-running York Machinery Sales into a timed online auction on YAC Online, with his latest to be held in December; and Jeremy has found his renowned international sheepdog sales have been given a fantastic boost.

Jeremy said: “Receiving bids in real time through using Facetime Live has really helped my overseas bidders as it gives them an opportunity to bid in real time against those who are here in the field. We have received some great bids that have led to sales of sheepdogs for tremendous prices.

“What Covid-19 restrictions appear to have brought about is an acceleration in the change that may have occurred over a five to 10-year period, but it is proving the right way forward at the moment.”

Thirsk livestock market was the first to host its Christmas Primestock Show & Sale on Thursday this week. The prime cattle shows and sales, usually held around the first week of December, are the first in a season of sales across all of Yorkshire’s livestock markets during December. Sheep, pigs and poultry follow.

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