ANDREW Jennings, who runs the Abbeyhouse pedigree dairy herd at Fountains, near Ripon, won his first Craven Dairy Auction championship of 2016 at the opening May show and sale at Skipton Auction Mart.

Andrew, who trades as Jennings Farmers, lifted the title with his first prize newly-calven heifer, which came to market 15 days calved and giving 32 litres and sold for £1,380 to Brian Blezard, of Ribchester.

The same vendor was also responsible for the third prize newly-calven heifer. Twenty five-days calved and giving 29 litres, she made £1,180 when falling to Wick Williams, of Nantwich.

Standing reserve champion at the pre-sale show came from Sammy Sudgen, of Laycock. Calved for 14 days and producing 33 litres, the reserve became the top-priced heifer when selling for £1,570, again to Mr Williams.

However, it was the first prize newly-calven cow, a second calver from commercial breeder Sally Wellock, of Oakworth, that went on to make top call of the day when selling at £1,640. This, too, fell to Mr Williams.

There was also a robust turnout of 17 quality young stock, with some strong pedigree yearling and bulling heifers.

David and Jill Pennock, of Bolton Abbey, topped proceedings with their first prize maiden heifer, a strong 16-month-old bulling heifer at £850, which found a new home with Duncan Holme in Bolton Abbey, while Alan Throup, who runs the Dalesbrad herd on Silsden Moor, sold four well-bred yearlings to top at £810 twice, both to Andrew Parker, of Emley, Huddersfield.

I Oliver & Partners, of Darley, run by Brian and Susan Barningham, made a clean sweep of the prizes in the in-calf heifer show class. The leading performer made £1,230 on joining show judge Frank Wrathall, of Gisburn, with a section average of £1,177.