Two island butchers have taken delivery of the top prizewinning meat from the recent Prime Stock and Carcase shows.

WE Teares in Ramsey selected this year’s beef, lamb and pig champions at a premium price.

This included lamb from the Rothwell family, Alison and Alan, daughter Amy and granddaughter Kadie, who won the double championship with a pair of home bred Beltex lambs.

Kirree Kermode, procurement officer at Isle of Man Meats, said: ’Alan is well known for his attention to detail and only uses the best of pedigree genetics.

’That certainly shone out again at this year’s Christmas Prime Stock show.’

The beef champion was produced by Trevor Quick and family in Kirk Michael, who run a large beef and sheep farm on hills of the west coast.

Kirree added: ’Their winning Limousin heifer was judge David Cain’s choice from the unhaltered section, with exceptional meat yield and perfect finish it was a stand-out winner.’

Kirree went on: ’Shawn and Jane Dean from Bayview Farm again had the winning formula in the pig section, scooping the top three awards.

’Shawn prides himself on raising their pigs in a high-health high-welfare system, being very nearly antibiotic free now.

’This quality is what top butcher Mark Mathews is looking for, for his much-valued customers.’

Lee Mayers from Kirk Michael Traditional Butchers and Bacon Curers Ltd chose the winning pair of lambs from a relatively new section in the show, designed for non-continental crossbred lambs.

These lambs from the Kermode family at Orrisdale Pedigrees carried lovely marbling which Lee requires for the ultimate eating experience.