Stainbank heifer is Craven Dairy Auction champion
Dairy cattle breeder Robin Jennings, who runs the Stainbank pedigree Holstein herd at Hill House Farm, South Stainley, took the champion’s rosette at Skipton Auction Mart’s second Craven Diary Auction of the year.
Mr Jennings saw his first prize newly calven heifer, Longstar Madeira Domino 2, bought as a calf, go on to be nominated as overall victor by show judge David Berry, of Thornton-in-Craven.
By Denmire Madeira, out of Longstar Talent Dynamo, the 17 days calved 33-litre heifer found pastures new with Fred and Mike Longster, of Pateley Bridge, at £1,600, joint top price.
The same vendor was also responsible the third prize newly calven heifer, Stainbank Carmen 19, by Fly-Higher Michelob, out of Carmen 16. Fifteen days calved and giving 32 litres, she also sold to the Longsters for £1,500.
The first prize newly calven cow and reserve champion came from Allan and Susan Throup, who run the Dalebrad pedigree herd with their oldest son Richard at Higher House Farm, Silsden Moor, where they currently milk 140 cows.
Their second calver, Dalesbrad Mossrose Lena 3, by their own Dalesbrad Gerard Mossrose, out of Dalesbrad Drake Lena 3, came to market 25 days calved and giving 40 litres. She was claimed by the Robinson family, of Grewelthorpe, Ripon, for the second £1,600 joint top price.
The second prize newly calven heifer from Glusburn’s David Fort made £1,500 when joining Stephen Breare, of Silsden Moor.
A light show of ten newly calven heifers averaged £1,350 per head.
Calves sell to £450
At the same day’s weekly rearing calf sale, 54 youngsters were on parade, when younger calves outstripped their older counterparts for a change on price, peaking at £450 for a British Blue-cross bull calf from regular top price achiever Fred Houseman, of Church Farm Enterprises in Burton Leonard. This sold to Simon Thompson, of Driffield. The same vendor also headed the heifer calf prices with another Blue-cross that made £340.
Blue bull calves averaged £384 per head overall, while also catching the eye was a three-week-old Limousin-cross-MRI bull calf from Chris Watson, of Horton-in-Craven, which made £365. The overall Continental-cross selling average was £328.50.
A strong entry of native youngsters made handy prices, with John and Rob Marshall, of Dacre, leading the way with a £285 Aberdeen Angus bull calf. The section average was £199 per head.
Black and whites were dearer on the week, with some better goods on sale and a stronger average at £80.83 per head. Top price of £125 fell to an entry from RL Wright & Son, of Airton.