Cattle trade continues apace at CCM Skipton, the latest fortnightly midweek sale producing solid
returns across all sectors, notably for young feeding bulls, which moved to yet another level
when building on recent positive trade to record a heady average of £2064, 65 among the 115
forward making over £2000. (Wed, March 19)
The section incorporated the Spring show, which attracted a turnout of predominantly home-bred
suckler-bred bulls in optimum condition, the majority Spring-born and aged 10-12 months, most
of the frontrunners Limousin-x.
Jeff Pickles, Chapel-le-Dale, invariably does well at the annual highlight and this year was no
exception when his six-strong consignment averaged £2473, four picking up prizes, a brace
claiming red rosettes – the first prize over 12-months bull £2800, the third prize winner £2450,
the 10-12 months victor £2550, the runner-up £2360.
The Drebley Fawcetts stood third in the same class with a £2580 entry, J Nelson & Son,
Clapham, occupying the same place in the 10-12 months category with a £2280 sale. Howard
and Sam Barker, Fewston, placed first in the under 10-months class, away at £1780, second and
third prizes falling to G&L Benson, New Farnley, both £1280.
Under 10-months bulls peaked at £2440 from TH&K Wood, High Birstwith, 10-12 months at
£2600 from Brian and Richard Lund, Walshaw, over 12-months at £2820 for a native Hereford
from Heather Whittaker, Norwood Green, who also headed the over 13-month prices with a
£2680 Aberdeen-Angus.
Overall, Limousin bulls under 13-months averaged £2114, British Blues at the same age £2011,
while heavier bulls at this age were £2600 for Continentals and £2320 for natives, a Simmental
from Ian Pratt, Hebden Bridge, also catching the eye at section top £2700. The overall
Continental-x average was £2076, natives levelling at £1989.
The mart points out: “Vendors should note that finishers are looking to keep pens full and early
indications are that empty pens should see buyers of medium bulls back at the ringside, along
with others at the premium end.”
Trade for 258 store bullocks and heifers was on fire, a full ringside of buyers filling trailers and
wagons heading both south and north. Yearling steers sold a lump dearer on the fortnight, the
Barkers returning to sell Limousin to £2200, G&M Harrison, Slaidburn a pen of three yearling
Saler steers to £1880.
A large run of Angus steers and heifers -red from hill cows and outwintered came from David
Neave, Rochdale. His 8/9-month-old steers sold in pens of eight to £1220 and £1200, his heifers
to £1100 and £1090. Stabaliser heifers sold to £1250 from H Gray, Sheffield.
Larger runs of feeding/growing cattle over 12 months were popular among growing men, a pen of
eight Angus heifers from John Stephenson, Bordley, making £1820, forward Blue heifers at
under 20-months selling to £2120 for dairy-bred goods from RG&AR Clegg, Waddington, others
from DE&CP Sayer, Threshfield, making £1960.
Forward dairy steers again for growing/feeding sold to £2280 for a trio, plus another three at
£2250 from John Schindler, Thorpe. Angus steers from Mick Wolfenden, Trawden, made to
£2300. Suckler steers at growing age, but with frame and power sold to £2360 from E&M
Fairhurst, Austwick, suckler-bred heifers at growing age again from J Nelson & Son to £2050.
Short-keep feeding cattle were again well bid for, buyers leaving short. Continental steers from M
Ryder & Sons, Harrogate, sold to £2900, other well farmed short-keep goods regularly £2500-
£2700. Retail spec steers with frame often made £2200-£2500, suckler-bred short-keep heifers
£2400-£2700 for weight and frame, topping at £2720 from Fair Place Farm, Cowling.
Short-keep dairy-bred natives met a fierce ringside audience, all actively competing to fill feeding
pens. Angus steers sold to £2640 again from the Ryders, heifers to £2000 from RG&AR Clegg,
Waddington. Short-keep dairy-bred steers made to £2680 from JG Hall, & Son, Gargrave, a pen
of Charolais-x steers from DT&LA Houseman, Dacre, trading to £2580.
Store bullocks achieved an overall Continental-x average of £2214 and natives £1740, with
comparisons for heifers of £1961 and £1554. Continental bullocks at 15 months-plus themselves
averaged £2327, and under 15-month £1882, heifers at the same ages levelling at £2001 and
£1812 respectively. A large number of 87 Angus cattle saw those under 15-months average
£1292, at 15-months-plus £1926.
While feeding cows were shorter on numbers trade remained sharp, a Limousin pair from RTL
Horsfall, Luddendenfoot making £2580 and £2500, three more good fleshed cows £2000-plus,
with a section average of £1632. A Parthenaise bull from New York Farms, Silsden, claimed
£2600.