Craven dairy bulls sell to 2,900gns

Pedigree dairy bulls were on parade for a standalone show at the main August Craven Dairy Auction at Skipton Auction Mart, with nine of the 11 forward successfully sold.

The champion from the North Craven Holstein Friesian herd of W A and A Booth at Old Hall Farm, Feizor, also proved the top performer when falling at 2,900gns, or £3,045, to David Pennock, of Summerscales, Bolton Abbey. 

Shown by David Booth, the victor, Feizor Manoman, approaching 14-months-old and said to be ready for work, is by the Genus AI bull Schillview Oman Gerard, who has been used to good effect on the Booth herd, out of the home-bred Feizor Shottle Sam Mandy.

The Broughton-based Smellows pedigree herd of Jeremy Taylor, who has been performing well in the Craven Dairy Auction arena of late, produced the reserve champion, Smellows Rockabilly, a year-old son of Eastview Sentry, out of Hawbank Lucky Rox. He too sold locally when joining Paul Bolland in Airton for 1,720gns, or £1,806. The overall bull average was £1,491. 

The ladies again performed well, with the 18 milkers entered selling to a top of £2,260 for the title winner from the Newbirks Holstein Friesian pedigree herd of A Lawson and Son, of Mill Farm, Arthington, Otley, who made a successful return to Craven Dairy Auction duty after a break of several years.

 Shown by fourth generation dairy farmer 20-year-old Matthew Lawson, the home-bred champion, by another Genus sire Ked Outside Jeeves, had calved three weeks earlier and was giving 34 litres. She joined James Kayley in Halton West.

The second prize newly calven heifer from M A Crook, of Houghton, Preston, returned to her Red Rose roots when joining Alf Townsend in Burnley for £1,920, with the third prize heifer from Raymond and Robert Johnson, of Felliscliffe, also heading for Lancashire when knocked down at £2,000 to Wigan’s Tom Green. The Lawsons also sold a second newly calven heifer at £2,120.

Chris Broadwith, of Thornton Watlass, was responsible for both the first and second prize newly calven cows, his red rosette winner selling at £1,720 to ringside regular Wick Williams, of Nantwich. Top price in class at £1,860 fell to a second calver from Calton’s Robert Crisp. The buyers were H Goodall and Son, of Tong, Bradford.

With 14 maiden heifers also among the 43-strong entry, the three leading class prices at £860, £850 and £840 all fell to east coast exhibitors J C Foster and Sons, of Beverley. The top performer was acquired by Raymond Johnson, Felliscliffe,

Newly calven heifers 1st quality averaged £2,020 and £1,769 overall, with newly calven cows averaging £1,265 and maiden heifers £742.

(Auctioneers: CCM AUCTION)