The recent Christmas Craven Dairy Auction at Skipton Auction Mart saw a total of 58 cattle put forward with the top price of £2,180 paid for a newly calven heifer.

Securing the top price on the day was a newly calven heifer from John Airey at Elslack.  This one was bought by Shaun Sowray, of Bishop Thornton, who also paid the top price of £2,080 for a newly calven cow from Tony Swires, Stainburn, Otley.

In the championship, three different dairy farmers sharing the name Jennings secured honours.  The championship went to a newly calven heifer from Andrew Jennings, Fountatins, Ripon.

Mr Jennings, who trades as Jennings Farmers, took the title with his Holstein Friesian heifer (pictured below) that had calved 24 days before the show, giving a daily milk yield of 41 litres.  This one is by Gillette Final Cut, out of a dam bought at Skipton two years earlier.  She sold for £2,080 to Ian Dodson, of Soyland, Sowerby Bridge.

Meanwhile Anrew’s cousin Robin Jennings, of South Stainely, took the first prize newly calven cow, which came to the market giving 41 litres, having calved 30 days prior.  This one was by Ladino Park Talent and out of a homebred dam.  She sold for £1,720 to Alan Outram, of Bury.

And Martin Jennings, of Cowling, had success with his maiden heifers by stock bull Aireburn Forte.  Class entrants sold to a peak of £840, with 21-month-old maidens averaging £768 and those aged 6-12 months averaging £626.

Averages – 58 cattle put forward of which a quarter realised £2,000 or more, newly calven cows averaged £1,799 and newly calven heifers £1,788.