Stock Judge 2025

Jun 9, 2025  •  General

STOCKJUDGE & YOUNG STOCKJUDGE OF THE YEAR 2025

Cumbrian young farmers from all over the county competed in the Cumbria YFC County Final of the  Stockjudge and Young Stockjudge of the Year competition on Monday 9th June. The competition was kindly hosted by Penrith and District Farmers Auction Mart and was well attended with 50 young farmers taking part in the competition.

Competitors showed their skill and expertise by placing and giving reasons on 4 dairy cows, 4 butchers’ cattle, 4 breeding ewes and 4 butchers’ lambs. They also completed an excellent animal health questionnaire compiled by the Frame and Swift Veterinary Group.

The Ian Graham Rose Bowl for the senior member gaining the most points in the Stockjudge of the Year competition was presented by Cumbria YFC President Matthew Burbury and won by Ruby Allan of Sedbergh YFC. Second place was awarded to Amy Bowness of Greysouthen YFC and 3rd place went to Billy Sibbald of Drigg YFC. Lowick YFC’s Isabel Wilson of Lowick YFC took the Highly Commended 4th place.  

Amy Wilson of Skelton YFC won the Bronwyn Chester Trophy for Young Stockjudge of the Year with Tom from Lowick YFC placed second and Clark Ellwood, also from Lowick YFC taking third place. Will of Kent Estuary YFC took the Highly Commended fourth place. 

The Harrison and Hetherington Trophy for the team with the most points was won by Lowick YFC. Kent Estuary YFC were placed second, Wigton YFC third and Drigg YFC were placed fourth. 

The evening was a great success with Chief Steward Julie Bowker ensuring that the night ran smoothly and to time. Thank you to Judges Ian Bowness, Graham Denby, Richard Gardiner, Richard Geldard, Stephen Graham, Wayne Inman, Willie Taylor and Gillian Smith. Also, to the stewards Alan Barker, John Garnett, Frank Gate, Alex and Ken Gibson, Alex Sibbald, Hannah and Jack Sowerby, Kathleen Twentyman, Phoebe Wharton and Will Williamson and Scorers Graham Holliday and Stacey Creighton. Thanks must also go to Penrith and District Auction Mart for hosting the competition and to Ellen Elliott for sourcing the stock. Thanks also to all the stock suppliers for their kindness in supplying stock for the evening and to Frame and Swift for preparing the Animal Health Questionnaire. Food on the night was provided courtesy of Katie Edgar at The Gavel. 

The top 12 in both the junior and senior competitions will now go forward to represent Cumbria at the Northern Area Stockjudge of the Year and Young Stockjudge of the Year competition hosted by Yorkshire YFC on the 26th July at CCM Auctions, Skipton.