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DAIRY PRESS - MONDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER

Success for Calvert family at Craven Dairy Auction A strong show of 51 animals at Monday’s Craven Dairy Auction (September 28) saw success for the Calvert farming family at Skipton Auction Mart. The Calverts exhibited some fine specimens as part of their ongoing dispersal, and claimed both Champion and Reserve. They also secured first, second and third place in the newly calved cows, with Calton Bolton Tanya named the overall champion. The third calver by Sandy Valley Bolton and giving 55 litres, was judged the best on show by judge Wick Williams of Nantwich. It was picked up by Malcom and Stephen Abbott of Dacre for £1,680.



The reserve champion was a newly calved pedigree heifer, Calton Gerard Kay by Oman Gerard, giving 35 litres. It was sold to Andrew Townsend, of Southfield, Burnley for £1,720.

Second place in the newly calved heifers went to Richard Walker of East Morton, with his 35 litre stylish black heifer. It took the day’s top price of £1,920 to Alan and Jack Wilson of Green Hammerton.

Youngstock were once again strong with in-calf cattle reaching £1,360 twice for two quality goods from Oliver and Partners at Darley.

Bulling heifers from James Kayley of Halton West were also good to sell with 13 to 17 month heifers reaching £860, as were heifer calves with Joss Lancaster of Horton-in-Craven selling six to £320, averaging £275 for five to six-week-old goods.    

Rearing Calves sell well

Rearing calves went to £430 on Monday with trade a touch easier with large numbers coming forward.

Continental heifers enjoyed the most buoyant trade, with a number of heifer buyers charging each other for the better end of calves.

Dairy bred remained similar on the week with plain calves looking as dear as anything, with the highest sum of £430 for Skipton regular, Fred Houseman of Church Farm Enterprises, Burton Leonard. Colin Whitelock of Low Green Farm, Gargrave, was the best of the rest in the bulls at £400, and Richard Sutcliffe, of Queensbury, topped the heifers at £410.

Numbers are still in demand with arable buyers returning steadily after a slow drilling.

Limousin bull calves went to an average of £260, with AL Dean & Son of Threshfield reaching the top price of £340. They also topped the limousine heifer calves with £340.

British Blue cross bulls sold to an average of £330.18, with Church Farm Enterprises of Burton Leonard taking the top price of £430.

Brit blue heifers sold to an average of £338, with the Sutcliffes of Queensbury topping out at £410.