Page 26 - British Blue Yearbook 2023

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KATIE AITKEN - WINNER OF THE JF AND JOHN VINDEN TROPHY
Preparing and showing livestock, whether it be cattle or sheep, is a big part of life for 16 year old Lancashire young farmer Katie Aiken who has won the British Blue Cattle Society’s JF Trophy for ‘the young person showing outstanding achievement’ and also took the John Vinden Trophy for showmanship throughout the summer shows of 2022 having notched up an impressive list of wins.
Both Beltex and Texel sheep breeders will have seen Katie on the other end of the halter at shows up and down the country for many years and also picking up numerous awards in the Young Handler classes.
Says Katie: “I just love the atmosphere of the shows, meeting people and the whole social aspect of them.”
However, it was only last year when Katie got the chance to bring her stockmanship skills to British Blues thanks to Kevin Watret’s Solway View stockman Ali Jackson.
Says Katie: “My dad Jeff, manages Procters Farms’ Texels and Beltex at Tatham Hall, Wenningon. Mum also works there and we live at the nearby Moss House. Dad knows Ali Jackson, who of course also has his own Beltex sheep at Kevin Watret’s, and when I said I wanted to get some experience with cattle, dad asked Ali if I could help them at shows and sales, and it all started from there really.
“So my first sales experience with the Blues was at the May 2022 sale at Carlisle when Solway View Rosie was supreme champion and topped the female prices at 16,000gns. I got to help with washing etc and I actually showed her. Since then I think I went to practically every show and sale with them and was able to take their animals into the Young Handlers classes.”
Says Ali Jackson: “The first time she helped us with the cattle we pretty much threw her in at the deep end but she just coped and did really well. What I like about Katie is she listens and learns and you don’t need to tell her anything twice. She even helped with my sheep on occasions last summer so there will always be a place for her helping our team if she wants to.”
Katie is a member of Vale of Lune YFC and also enjoys playing rugby, along with younger brother Robbie who