WITH the calving season under way an increased number of dairy cattle was on offer at Thursday’s Gisburn dairy sale.

Continued optimism for improvements in the milk price and the strong cull cow and calf market ensured a keen trade for all types on offer.

Broholme Velvet Ruby, from RM Shackleton, of Broughton, claimed the first prize in the pedigree class, selling to J Walton, Wrea Green, at £1,800. Veteran heifer rearer T Crook took £1,750 for Thornber Della by Guaarini which was claimed by Redmayne Bros.

Enchanted Holsteins were also in the top flight with Enchanted Alexander Mona, a Golden Oaks Alexandra daughter, going to W Blockley, Tarvin at £1,650.

The cow class winner was Copdon Roxette, a second lactation cow giving 40 litres, which showed perfect strength and depth for the commercial market. She was shown Lee Donkin and sold to Tom Green, of Wigan, at £1780.

The second prize cow came from H and W Gardner, of Plumpton. This was a Smiddlehill Saratoga daughter, again giving more than 40 litres and selling for £1,620 to R Wade, of Sabden.

Livestock Solutions in partnership with Gisburn Auction offered a consignment of cattle direct from Holland which included a run of red and white cattle some of which were in milk, with the remainder due for mid August.

The top price was £1,740 for a newly-calved red and white heifer going to E Roper and Sons and the in-calf heifers peaked at £1,500. These were an excellent group of cattle and a further consignment is expected next month.

There was renewed enthusiasm for the young stock on offer.

R Corlett, of Ormskirk, sold a run of full vaccinated pedigree young stock from four to 14 months which peaked at £750 to J C Marshall. F and M Parkinson presented a strong group of in-calf home bred heifers which sold up to £1,550 to David Shuttleworth with Tony Prescott, of Wigan,close behind, selling at £1,500 to John Shuttleworth.