SKIPTON Auction Mart’s monthly Saturday collective sale of 129 stirks, weaned calves and young store cattle, along with 29 breeding and store sheep, and an excellent turnout of 49 goats, was again well supported and continues to prove an increasingly popular weekend highlight.

In line with recent improvements in store cattle and prime cattle prices, there was a very good interest from buyers looking for cattle to graze and grow on. The entry comprised 23 bulls, 102 steers and heifers, and four breeding cattle.

Continental bull prices peaked at £610 for a British Blue, with a breed average of £428 per head, with Limousin bulls also selling away well to a high of £560, with a strong per head average of £510. Simmental made to £460.

Native and dairy-bred bulls also proved in ready demand, selling to £560 for an Aberdeen Angus, £400 for a Stabiliser, £390 for a Galloway and £385 for a MRI.

Limousins were the pick of the Continental-cross steers, with a day’s high of £910 and an average of £833. Blues averaged £615, topping at £860.

Native and dairy-bred steer prices topped at £805 for another Aberdeen Angus - the breed average was again strong at £594 per head - while black and white entries sold to £690, averaging £401.

Continental-cross heifer prices were also led by a £750 Limousin, with a breed average of £658, with Charolais-cross heifers selling to £680. Angus heifers did well again, topping at £810 and averaging £499. Shorthorn and Jersey heifers both sold to £650.

The pick of the breeding cattle was a Highland cow with Highland calf at foot, which made £660.

Breeding and store sheep prices peaked at £138 for Texel hoggs with single lambs, while Texel ewes with singles made to £100. Beulah ewes with singles also caught the eye when selling to £95 per outfit.

Goats were forward in large numbers and this section is now becoming a popular feature of the monthly sale, as customers travel further distances in search of a ready market in which to both sell and buy.

A Toggenburg nanny with billy kid made £95, a Boer billy £81, a nanny with two wether kids £74 and Boer-cross nanny £65.

Detailed goat and other prices are at ccmauctions.com