Ryder Herdwick dispersal a highlight of CCM Skipton Saturday sale
Skipton Auction Mart’s latest monthly Saturday livestock collective fixture had the added interest of a dispersal sale of the complete Herdwick flock from Chris and Christine Ryder, of Scaife Hall Farm, Blubberhouses. (Oct 12)
The flock was first established in 2013 and the Ryders had decided it was time to reduce their multi-breed livestock holding, consigning the remaining 36 head, which were all sold successfully, 11 older ewes falling to Brian Church, of Askwith, Otley, while ten more were claimed by Arncliffe’s Michael and Carol McKenzie.
Ryder shearling ewes sold to £110 at an average of £105.40, 2 crop ewes to £105 and 3 crop to £80, these averaging £79.14, producing an overall flock average of £96 per head.
Also forward for sale were 89 head of cattle, comprising weaned calves and stirks. Steer prices were solid, peaking at £665 for a Hereford (av £585), with Limousin next best to £630 (av £531), British Blue to £545 (av £445) and Aberdeen-Angus to £520 (av £446). A Simmental also did well at £540. Heifers topped at £535 (av £456) for Limousin, with Galloway selling to £500 (av £491). Bulls sold to £355 for another Angus.
Of the store sheep and goats also penned for sale, a Herdwick ram from another vendor made £110, with Texel stores selling to £62, while a Rough Fell 2 crop made £60. Highlight among the goats was the £200 paid for a pygmy and kids.
The same day’s seasonal Agri-Trader sale once again attracted multiple items of all descriptions, with the usual keen interest among buyers from both from the agricultural sector and the general public.
Machinery items under the hammer produced a good number of four-figure sales, among them a JCB mini digger at £3,400, a Marshall muckspreader at £2,400 and a Leyland tractor at £2,000, with trailers selling to a high of £1,700.
Stone and timber was also in high demand, with gate posts selling to £260, a square stone trough at £180 and timber barrels making £162. Reclaimable lots saw a wacker plate ground compactor sell £220, a hog roast for £105. Plants were also popular, a pear tree making £20, others readily available up to £18 Every-popular Agri-Trader sales return in the New Year.