Auctioneers: CCM

Averages: Fresh heifers £1,342; fresh cows £1,230, in-calf heifers £890; maiden heifers £488

Malhamdale’s Robert Crisp, of Nelson Farm, Calton, bagged a championship and reserve championship double at Skipton Auction Mart’s opening September Craven Dairy Auction. (Mon, Sept 12)

Show judge Frank Wrathall, of Gisburn, awarded principal honours to Mr Crisp’s first and second prize fresh heifers, both by a son of the renowned Genus dairy bull, Picston Shottle, and both out of daughters of another Genus sire, Garrison, who has been used to good effect by the Dales dairy farmer over the years.

The 11 days-calved title winner, giving six gallons, sold for  a sale-topping £1,700 to regular buyers Alf and Andrew Townsend, of Southfield, Burnley, while the reserve champion, ten days-calved and giving five-and-a-half gallons, made £1,380 when joining another ringside regular, Cheshire’s Wick Williams.

The third prize fresh heifer from Brian Moorhouse’s Aireburn dairy herd at Hesper Farm, Bell Busk, also sold well at £1,380 when again joining Mr Williams, who also paid £1,460, second top price of the day, for the first prize newly calven cow from Glusburn’s David Fort.

The total entry of 55 head included 27 in-calf heifers and seven maiden heifers from David Leeming, of Burnt Yates, Harrogate, and formed the final part of his herd dispersal. His heifers sold to a high of £1,120, with plenty of others around the £1,000 mark. Mr Leeming’s yearlings sold to £690, with some younger maidens topping at £500 three times. 

The first prize in-calf heifer from the Oliver family in Darley sold for £1,160 to David Shuttleworth, of Gargrave.

The show was again sponsored by regular supporters NMR and Trouw Nutrition. The next Craven Dairy Auction is on Monday, September 26.

Calves sell 

 

Black and whites reached £152 for a pure Friesian bull calf from Stephen Marshall, of West End, with John Marshall, of Dacre not far behind at £150. With plenty of others in the late £80s and £90s, the section produced an overall average of £65.23 per head.