The sale was without doubt the definition of dispersal, which often isn’t the case, as with most herds there isn’t just the very best headliners, but cattle with faults too. That decision certainly reaped its rewards, as the genuineness and quality shone through, for all the very large crowd in attendance to see.

Managed very commercially and having stopped registering some three years ago, the cattle showed great strength and above all a real natural willingness to milk, with the herd averaging just shy of 10000kg. Holding sales on farm can sometimes pose its difficulties, particularly when it comes to the lay out of the farm itself, however it must not go without mention that the cattle looked on fine form, prepared wonderfully by the team at Lazenby Moor plus the hard work of Wright Marshall’s staff and Cameron Baty in particular.

The sale witnessed a wonderful turnout of potential buyers, with bids flying from every corner of the ring, making for a great trade from start to finish. In total over 50 buyers were recorded from across the UK, travelling to most regions and in particular throughout Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria, Northern Ireland, Wales the Midlands and into Cheshire. As is usually the case the older cows were sold first, but by the time the younger in-milk cows were being sold trade was flying, very consistent, with a definite trend throughout the day, which favoured autumn milk.

Top price of the day was achieved for Spellowhill Shottle Nicole, a daughter of the renowned sire who had calved her third pre-Christmas; she sold recently served to Josuper, giving a daily yield of 43.2 kg and was purchased for 2280 gns by volume buyer R Naylor of Ilkley. The second highest price of 2200 gns was for Spellowhill Zeber Jessie, a heifer who had freshened in January, again recently served to British Blue and giving 37 kg; she was bought by P H Waring of York. 2180 gns was then paid for a third calved cow by Allemar, giving 49 kg, travelling to Messrs Sowray, Harrogate, with the next seven all selling for 2100 gns.

Heifer calves were keenly sought after throughout the day and topped at 780 gns for a daughter of Avenger, who was out of a 9000 kg Loader dam, selling to DW & MN Ishmael of Wigan. Not far behind and on three occasions saw heifers selling for 750 gns, firstly for a Bullseye daughter purchased by C Lupton, Selby; then an Avenger, again travelling to Messrs Ishmael and finally a 7 month old calf who crossed the water to T Irvine, Northern Ireland.

Trade for the youngstock was particularly pleasing, the In-calf heifers were a pleasure to sell, like peas in a pod, displaying great promise underneath, powerful and very well grown for their age. But trade for the maiden heifers and especially the yearling surpassed all expectations. Top seller within the In-calf heifers was an unregistered heifer by Fantasmic, due in Mid-May to Applejax and sold for 1950 gns to JF & AA Owen & Son, Overton-on-Dee. Next top price went to a Zeber daughter, again due May to the Limousin stock bull, selling to Messrs Naylor for 1900 gns. 1800 gns was paid also by R Naylor for a History daughter due at the end of April to Sexed Jenson, with numerous heifers due in late spring and into summer selling readily between 1500 and 1800 gns.

Maiden heifers were in hot demand, particularly for the 12 to 15mo heifers, fit and strong enough to bull and selling time and time again in excess of 1000 gns. Topping at 1120 gns on three occasions and all purchased by the same buyer, G Thompson & Sons, Bishop Auckland, all three were by MVP and out of 11, 12 and 13000 kg mothers.

TOP PRICES: GNS
Lot   72 SPELLOWHILL SHOTTLE NICOLE R Naylor, Ilkley 2280
Lot 135 SPELLOWHILL ZEBER JESSIE P H Waring, York 2200
Lot   85 SPELLOWHILL ALLEMAR ROBERTA A Sowray & Son, Harrogate 2180
Lot 141 UNREGISTERED HEIFER A Sowray & Son, Harrogate 2120
Lot   81 SPELLOWHILL INGENIOUS BERTHA R Naylor, Ilkley 2100
Lot 107 SPELLOWHILL ZELGADIS SARAH ANN C & S Fitton, Cheshire 2100
Lot   83 SPELLOWHILL ALLEMAR ADRIANA R Naylor, Ilkley 2100
Lot 149 UNREGISTERED HEIFER R Naylor, Ilkley 2100
Lot 155 UNREGISTERED HEIFER JF & AA Owen & Son, North Wales 2100
Lot 108 SPELLOWHILL TRIGGER LIZZIE R Naylor, Ilkley 2100
Lot 128 SPELLOWHILL TRIGGER MARIAN R Naylor, Ilkley 2100
 

AVERAGES:
154 Cows and Milking Heifers (including 43 Heifer Calves £507.17) £1454.61; 36 In-calf and recently served heifers £1470.88; 29 Maiden Heifers £957.75. 

WRIGHT MARSHALL of Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire were the Auctioneers, in conjunction with CCM Auctions.