Bentham Christmas dairy sale smashes market records

Bentham Auction Mart’s Annual Christmas show and sale of Dairy for the second year running smashed existing market records.

From the 61 cattle forward for sale, Maurice and David Wannop of Heaton had the successful bid of £3,350 purchasing the champion beast shown by Francis and David Wright of Helsington. The pedigree heifer Berryholme Steady Flo, bred from the Wright’s best maternal line the Flo family, had been calved 18 days and was giving 37kgs, attracted a lot of attention in the show ring and was a very worthy winner of the Championship ticket, tapped forward by judges Mr Robin Boothman of Fence and Mr John Lawson of Bentham.

The Wannop’s also purchased the top price non-pedigree heifer at £2,480, which was 16 days calved giving 28kgs from Mark and Heather Atkinson of Quernmore. The Atkinson’s also achieved a price of £2,450 when Stephen Robinson of Burton in Lonsdale purchased Wyredale Amazing Maisie 2 which had been calved 21 days giving 29kgs. Peter and David Knowles of New Hutton also achieved a price of £2,450 for their 2nd Prize pedigree heifer Kendalcragg Smith Promise a very correct heifer, 20 days calved giving 7 gallons.

Four cattle achieved prices of £2,400; the 1st prize non-pedigree heifer bred at Tatham Hall shown by Mike and Ken Robinson of Farleton, the 1st prize homebred heifer Daleside DZ Gloria shown by Maurice and Stephen Woodhouse of Kirkby Lonsdale, Robert and Elaine Butterfield of Benetham 1st prize pedigree cow Ingleview Ransom Jane and the second prize pedigree cow Tranthwaite Buckeye Cas’ from the Swindlehurst’s of Underbarrow.

The introduction of a coloured class was well supported and deservedly won by David and Rob Willison of Levens with an extremely correct newly calved pedigree Jersey heifer, leading the way from Robert Sunderland of Apspatria with his Shorthorn x Heifer & Colin Price of Keasden with a Red and White Holstein.

Once again there was a full ringside of buyers and an excellent trade matching vendors expectations. An overall average of £2,147.20 for heifers, with cows at £1,915.56 at various ages a very respectable average.

Auctioneers & Secretaries:- Richard Turner & Son.