Louth Livestock Market's 95th Fatstock Show & Sale sees Success for Farmers & Local Charities
Sun 01 Dec 2024
The 95th Christmas Fatstock Show and Sale at Louth Livestock Market, held on Monday 25 November 2024 saw exceptional quality livestock on display across all categories with many farmers commenting that it was one of the best shows in recent years.
This traditional event attracts local farmers who sell livestock through our market and come together to show, sell and celebrate at the end of the year with their best livestock fattened ready for market. Traditionally, the Louth Fatstock Show is the time when local butchers buy the very best prime stock, sourcing locally reared beef and lamb for their customers’ Christmas tables.
This year’s cattle section, judged by Matthew Slack of E.V. Slack & Son, Doncaster, was particularly impressive. The overall champion, a 755kg Limousin cross steer from Olivia Parkin, fetched a remarkable £2,944.50, selling at 390 pence per kilo.
As winner Olivia explained, Fatstock is about more than just the sale of prime stock.
“Coming from a butchering family, which also farms - breeding, feeding, producing, and presenting our own livestock to the best of our ability is a team effort. Christmas Fatstock Shows are a conclusion and accumulation of a years’ worth of hard work, in showing, feeding and trimming both our cattle and sheep, to aim for the top prizes whilst also supporting our county’s livestock market.
Anyone who shows their livestock knows there is nothing more rewarding than the acknowledgement of winning a rosette at a show or event, and ultimately, competing at Louth’s Livestock Fatstock Show is the best shop window to showcase what we can produce.”
Other winners included the reserve overall and unhalted champion, a 580kg heifer from P & B Hodgson & Son, which sold for £2,987.00 at 515 pence per kilo.
The sheep section, judged by Richard Taylor, was equally impressive. Double ‘O’ Commercials secured the champion spot with a pair of Beltex x Char lambs weighing 55.5kg, which sold for a staggering £480.00 per head or 865 pence per kilo.
In addition to buying, local butchers were invited to enter their most delicious produce for judging, with categories including best Haslet, best Pork Pie and best Lincolnshire Sausage! A variety of other produce categories were open to all, including best Mince Pie and best Christmas tipple! We were delighted to welcome Fiona Lucas from the Lincolnshire Cookery School, who had the tough challenge of choosing from all the delicious entries. Competition was stiff and the winning line-up included one of our cattle judge, “Slacky”, as he’s known to his social media, following taking first place for his Pork Pie!
To find a full market report including details of all the winners click here.
Fatstock Shows are a key part of rural culture and champion local livestock farmers within their community while raising funds for local charities. This is where sponsorship and support opportunities come in many ways.
For example, this year’s Charity Lamb was kindly donated by W R Hanson & Son, Coningsby. The lamb was sold seven times raising £1,050.00 for LRSN and St Barnabas Hospice. Our warmest thanks go to D & J Coulson, A Wright & Son, L Brown & Son, Josh Bustance, Edward Middleton and Eleanor Hopper, Oliver Chapman and Chris Dale.
Every year we support Lincolnshire Rural Support Network whose nurses and support staff are on hand all year at the market. This year we also welcomed St Barnabas Hospice as our second beneficiary as they provide free, high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support to 12,000 patients, families and carers in Lincolnshire every year.
The success of the event was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Fatstock Show & Sale Committee headed up by Lucy Turner from the Masons Rural team as Honorary Show Secretary and Treasurer, supported by the wider Masons Rural team.
“As always, a huge thank all the vendors, buyers, judges, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the 95th Fatstock Show and Sale. It was truly a day to remember, not least thanks to our live streaming debut of judging by Matt from the Store Ring and the usual fabulous festive dress-up by Rev Alan and the LRSN team selling raffle tickets and to Olivia and the St Barnabas volunteer who took the Guess the Weight entries” explained Lucy.
Special mention must go to this year’s Fatstock sponsors; Wilkin Chapman, Forrester Boyd, Phillips Animal Health Ltd, Peacock & Binnington, Agrimin, Agriscope, Blankney Estates, Woldmarsh, Rix, GFP/Belmont Seeds and Lincolnshire Tree Services.
Also thanks to those who pledged raffle & auction prizes for both our Fatstock Show & Fatstock Dinner: Alford & Louth NFU, Cotehill Cheese, R G Taylor & Sons, Daniel Barnard Rural Finance, Emma Billings, Farmer Browns, Farmer Wink, Forestry Commission, Frank B Forman & Sons Ltd, J Shaw & Son, Kev Chafer, Lincolnshire Poacher, Louth Distillery, Lakings of Louth, Lucks of Louth, Masons staff, Maz Smith, Peacock & Binnington, Russells with many more that donated on the day.
Running charity totals so far from the 2024 Show are;
• Charity Auction - £525
• Guess the Weight - £71
• Drinks kindly donated by Masons Rural - £110
• Raffle - £892.56
With more to add from the Fatstock Dinner held on Friday 29th November 2024 at Kenwick Park Golf Clubhouse we will keep you updated.
Fatstock is just one of the events held at Louth Livestock Market every year. Home to Louth Young Farmers, Louth Motorhome Stopover, Agricultural Machinery & Equipment Auctions and starting point for Louth’s Christmas Tractor Run in aid of Cancer UK, Louth Livestock Market as a venue has a valuable role to play in our community.
The year end offers a great opportunity to thank all our vendors, buyers and staff for their continued support every week as we sustain an important hub for local farmers to trader, to meet and connect.
If you'd like to find out more about Louth Livestock Market as a vendor, buyer or supporter please email us or call Masons Rural team on 01507 350500 Option 3.
To find the full Sales & Events Calendar for 2025 click here.
2025 advertising opportunities are coming soon. For details please email Sarah, Marketing Manager.
For the 96th Fatstock Show & Sale Sponsorship opportunities click here.
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