Auctioneers: CCM Auctions
Averages: Fresh heifers £1,470, in-calf heifers £1,110
The Aireburn Holstein herd run by local dairy farmer Brian Moorhouse at Hesper Farm, Bell Busk, landed another championship coup at the opening October Craven Dairy Auction at Skipton Auction Mart. (Monday, October 10)
He secured the title with his first prize newly calven heifer, Aireburn Avalon Gloriette, a home-bred by the Alta Genetics sire, Avalon, who is being used on Aireburn heifers. This was the first of his daughters to come to market.
Fourteen days calved and giving 30 litres, the victor went on to top the sale when selling locally for £1,950 to Stephen and Edward Jeanes, of Sutton-in-Craven, regular buyers of quality milkers at Skipton.
The second prize newly calven heifer and reserve champion came from Teesside husband and wife, Mark and Karen Calvert, of Glebe Farm, Carthorne, who continue to use the North Yorkshire venue for the dispersal of their Calton Holstein herd.
They have sold all their dairy cows and are now bringing forward heifers as they calve, consigning eight on the day. The seven weeks-calved 40-litre runner-up sold for £1,680 to the show judge, Brian Blezard, of Ribchester.
The third prize newly calven heifer from the Stainbank herd of South Stainley’s Robin Jennings, a five times Craven Dairy Auction champion last year, also found the bidding for his charge in a higher gear, with his home-bred, giving 35kg, knocked down for £1,820 to another ringside regular, Cheshire’s Wick Williams, of Nantwich.
Mr Williams also claimed the red rosette-winning fresh cow from Barden’s Ian Parkinson, which had produced its third calf 12 days earlier and was giving 30kg, for a healthy £1,520.
The last draw of in-calf heifers from the Oxenclose herd of Brian and Sue Barningham, who trade as I Olivers & Partners in Darley, produced a top price of £1,400, this one falling to Fred and Mike Longster in Fellbeck.
Black and white youngsters were also on the bill at the same day’s weekly rearing calf sale, selling to a high of £225 for a bull calf from the Heron family in Bramhope, with the section producing an overall average of £53.25 per head.
