ABurdett

Published at 00:00, Friday, 23 March 2007

AT JUST 13 years old Nathan Grainger can hold his own at Hopes Auction Mart and he is already leading champions into the ring.

His choice of heifer from the family farm at Glasson was champion at last week’s show and sale of continental-cross store cattle in Wigton.

He is no stranger to the winner’s podium and earlier in the week, he and dad Ian took the reserve champion prize at the Border Charolais Club show and sale at the mart.

Most days when he gets home from Nelson Thomlinson School, it’s straight on with his wellies and work clothes and into the yard to help his dad.

He has his own ewes and lambs and loves the thrill of selling them at the market.

He said: “I like picking out the best beasts to show with a little help from my dad. Quite a lot of my friends live on farms and love it as well.

“I like working with my dad.”

Nathan is the third generation of the family to work on the 200-acre Kiln Close farm, where there is a 200-strong beef herd, 65 dairy cows and 250 breeding ewes.

Ian said: “Nathan has been in the tractor with me for years.

“Nathan is one of my best pals as well as being my son.

“He helps with the feed but I won’t let him milk yet in case he gets kicked.”

Last week’s champion heifer was halter trained by Nathan and bought by a farmer from Great Yarmouth.

Nathan will take part in Hopes new competition to encourage youngsters into the mart. Next Thursday’s sale will be the last chance for youngsters to buy an animal and enter the competition. Prizes will be awarded in October for the best animal, best weight gain and profit made

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk