The Wharfedale-based Newbirks pedigree Holstein Friesian dairy herd of father and daughter, David and Suzy Lawson, picked up its second Craven Dairy Auction championship of the year at the opening March sale at Skipton Auction Mart. (Mon, March 12)

The Lawsons, of Mill Farm, Arthington, secured their latest title with the first prize newly calven heifer, Newbirks Fantasmic Grannette 266, by the Genus sire, De-Su Fantasmic. She is out of Grannette 258, a milk-rich line established in the Lawson herd around half a century ago.

Two weeks calved and giving 32 litres, the title winner, picked out at the pre-sale show by judge Martyn Jennings, of Cowling, sold to regular Skipton supporter Brian Blezard, of Ribchester, for top call of £1,880.

The Lawsons were also responsible for the first prize newly calven cow, another from their renowned and also long established Jazz line. Newbirks Jazz 1516, who had produced her third calf ten days prior to the sale and came to market giving 45 litres. The 4.69% butterfat cow, a daughter of their former stock bull, Stardale Downing, out of Jazz 1517, sold for £1,420, again to Mr Blezard.

Reserve champion for the second consecutive show was commercial dairy farmer Mark Smith, of Rookery Farm, Winterburn, with his second prize newly calven heifer, by a home-bred stock bull, Brackenlea Boy George. The 28 days calved 35-litre overall runner up sold for £1,650 to CJ&DD Drake in Thornton, Bradford.

Second highest price of £1,850 came from the previous show’s champion Robin Jennings, who runs the Stainbank pedigree herd at Hull House Farm, South Stainley, Ripon, with a home-bred heifer which was well bid for, before falling to Richard Sutcliffe, of Queensbury.    

The third prize newly calven heifer show class from the Robinson family in Eldroth made £1,750 when also joining Mr Sutcliffe. Another small, but tidy turnout of five milkers saw the four newly calven heifers among them average £1,750