Only a few years after launching a pedigree Limousin cattle breeding programme and on their first-ever foray into the pedigree show arena, Garrowby Farms, of Garrowby, York, achieved a major coup when exhibiting the overall supreme champion at the Northern Limousin Extravaganza at Skipton Auction Mart. (Tues May 8)

Clive Rowland arrived with just a single entry for the Northern Limousin Extravaganza - and first saw his home-bred Garrowby Gizmo, a 13-month-old son of the renowned Glenrock Ventura, land the pedigree bull championship, before progressing to take supreme honours.

Mr Rowland, who purchased Ventura from North Craven breeder Ian Handley's Gunnerfleet herd in Chapel-le-Dale three years ago, is better known as a commercial man, running a 125-strong herd of Limousin and British Blue-cross cows, the majority put to Limousin sires to produce suckled calves sold mainly as stores.

Mr Rowland said: "We started with pedigree Limousins some three or four years ago and still only have five pedigree cows. Put it down to beginner's luck