A BEEF farmer who is a well-known figure around the local auction ring is one of the judges at next year’s National Beef Association’s bi-annual spring flagship event.

Lincolnshire’s Jonathan Lyon will judge the Baby Beef classes, the Baby Championship and Young Handler classes at The National Commercial Cattle show held as part of the NBA’s event on Saturday, April 27 2024 at the North West Auctions Rural Auction Centre, Kendal.

Northamptonshire’s Frank Page will judge the Native and Continental classes and the Supreme Championships.

The National Commercial Cattle Show will see in the region of 120 head of cattle compete in the 10 cattle classes for steers and heifers with the overall winner taking home the Supreme Championship title.

To highlight the next generation of commercial breeders and farmers, this year the NBA is also inviting the stars of the future aged between 14- 21 to take part in the Young Handlers classes as part of the livestock section.

Frank Page farms a total of 830 acres near Elkington in Northamptonshire in partnership with his brother Dan and nephew Chris, who look after the arable side of the business. Frank, his wife Caroline and children George and Gabriella look after the livestock side.

Jonathan farms 320 acres near Bourne in Lincolnshire, first started by his father Trevor, alongside this they operate a landscape gardening business, Greatford Garden Services. The farm is home to 70 suckler cows and a flock of 140 ewes. The Limousin x and Belgium Blue x run with three pedigree Limousin and one Belgium Blue bulls, and the Lyons’ main aim is to produce show calves and top quality bulls. Bulls are sold both on farm and throughout live auctions at Carlisle and breeding heifers sold through Kirkby Stephen and Hexham Auction Marts.

In judging the Baby Beef classes and the Baby Championship in April, he will be looking for, “An animal which catches your eye when it comes into the ring, with a wide, square stance and a very good top line, I’ll be looking for good depth in the hind quarter and whether it’s a calf or a bigger animal it needs to have a good, full loin.”

NBA Chief Executive, Neil Shand, said: “The cattle classes are right at the heart of the event.”