Cowling’s Chris Bell crowned champion on Craven Dairy Auction debut
Making his first-ever appearance in the dairy show arena at Skipton Auction Mart, Cowling’s Chris Bell made an immediate impact when crowned champion at the final Craven Dairy Auction fixture of the year. (Monday, Dec 16)
Chris, who trades as NA Bell and runs the Mireclose pedigree Holstein herd at the farm of the same name, bagged the title on his debut with a 23 days calved, 27 litre and rising heifer, Mireclose Galxzy Chesakate, by De-Su Freddie Galaxy, out of a home-bred daughter of Regancrest-Mr Drham Sam. She sold for £1,920 to ringside regular Brian Blezard, of Ribchester.
Chris is a fifth generation dairy farmer, the herd being originally established by his great, great grandfather, William Bell, around a century ago. It currently has 85 milkers.
Top price of £2,200 fell to a 21 days calved, 30 litre heifer from Craven Dairy Auction regular and multiple past champion Peter Baul’s Ravensgate pedigree herd in Bishop Thornton, again claimed by Mr Blezard.
The second and third prize heifers, both commercials, were consigned by the Moon family, from Paythorne, their three weeks calved 32 litre runner-up selling for second top call of £2,100 to Silsden Moor’s Stephen Breare. The seven-strong line-up of newly calven heifers averaged £1,652.
Show judge was Sammy Jo Sugden, who runs the Brontemoor pedigree herd in Laycock, Keighley. Fortnightly Craven Dairy Auctions return in the New Year on Monday. January 13.
Full details of weekly sales over the Christmas period and into the New Year are at www.ccmauctions.com