Craven Dairy Auction prices hit new record highs
Selling prices went through the roof at February's Craven Dairy Auction at Skipton Auction Mart, (Mon, Feb 25), when a total of 11 cattle sold for over £2,000 and the top-priced animal set a new record at £2,650.
A newly-calven Holstein Friesian heifer from Robin Jennings, of South Stainley, Ripon, established a new high at a fixture that has grown to become one of the premier dairy sales in the country when knocked down to Derek Calvert, of A Calvert & Sons, Paythorne.
Mr Calvert also paid the day's second highest price of £2,520 when securing the show champion, a newly-calven heifer giving 30 kilos from Robert Phillip, of Green Farm, Hellifield.
Robert, who held the previous record top price, was landing his fourth Craven Dairy Auction title with an animal purchased as a calf and by the Canadian sire Calbrett-I H H Champion-ET.
The second prize newly-calven heifer, also from Robin Jennings, made £2,120 when sold to G Parker, of Emley, Huddersfield, topped at £2,500 by the third in class from M Baul & Partners, of Bishop Thornton, Harrogate, acquired by Henry Wilson, of Kelbrook.
Best of the newly-calven cows was an entry from A Lawson & Son, of Arthington, Otley, which joined Abbot Bros, of Dacre, Harrogate, for £2,200. The runner-up from T & E Simpson, Ripon, sold for £2,300 to John Whittaker, Laneshawbridge, Colne.
The 125 cattle forward included a dispersal sale of the entire 63-strong Humberside Holstein Friesian dairy herd of Andrew and Susan Wells, of Kilnsea, Hull. The couple were moving out of dairying after 12 years to concentrate on their new farm-based bed and breakfast business, due to be launched in April.
They achieved joint top prices of £1,880 for a newly-calven heifer sold to Martin Jennings, of Cowling, and a third calver that joined John Whittaker. Their in-calf heifers sold to a top price of £1,540.
The show was judged jointly by David Coulthurst, of Longridge, and Ken Pye, of Goosnargh. Main sponsor was WE Jameson & Son, of Masham, who put up a £400 prize fund, with the victor receiving the BOCM Pauls Diary Cup and its purchaser £60 cash courtesy of Farmers & Mercantile.
Jeremy Eaton, general manager at Skipton Auction Mart, said: "It proved to be an excellent show of cattle of all types, which drew a number of new buyers to the market and produced a cracking atmosphere.
"It was particularly pleasing that we were able to extend the trade to clients in 'blue tongue surveillance' areas able to move to sale in clear areas after pre-testing. The easing of restrictions for movement from the surveillance zone are intended to remain in place until March 15, providing temperatures remain low."
The next Craven Dairy Auction takes place on Monday, March 24.
