2 weeks Ago
Levi Wrathall, Gisburn, was on hand to judge the heifers in milk show class, selecting as champion a 27 day-calved heifer sired by Peak Danger from Bishop Thornton-based Pete Baul’s Ravensgate Sparkle family. Backed by a dam who has two lactations over 15,000kg, she sold for £2850 to Mark Goodall, Tong, Bradford. Heading home in the same trailer was the day’s third prize heifer in milk from the same good home, Ravensgate Argonaut Blossom 253, 17 days-calved and at 32kg commanding the leading sale price of £3000.
Norman and Chris Bell, Cowling, brought another tight-uddered Sound System daughter, this one early October calved and, at 30kg, placed second in the class and reserve champion and the pick of Brian Mellin, Blackpool, at £2550. A run of well-grown, strong in-calf heifers starting to show udder promise and due November and December to named Angus sires from the Ryders at Haverah Park, Harrogate, and sired by Genus ABS sires, Flowrider and Boxcar, peaked twice at £1900, with the four averaging £1750. Heifers in milk averaged £2525.
The final Tuesday breeding sheep sale of the season attracted a turnout of 215 head, among them 56 rams, which were dearer on the fortnight, with customers still seeking power. Top of the trade was regular supporter WH&MA Keighley, Leathley, with a 2-shear pedigree Texel realising 920gns, another from this same home at 860gns. Blue Faced Leicester rams sold to 700gns from RFC Peel, Arncliffe, with all aged tups over 440gns, while shearling rams peaked at 600gns from Simon Bennett, Silsden, other strong Texels regularly exceeding 500gns.
A brace of Suffolk from Alistair Lawn, Skipton, topped at 420gns, while J Wood, Trawden, brought a consignment of Cheviot shearling tups which sold to 520gns, with a single BFL shearling from JW Stockdale, Burnsall, also netting 520gns..
