The North Yorkshire Stainbank pedigree Holstein dairy herd of Robin Jennings, from Hill House Farm, South Stainley, Harrogate, secured its fourth consecutive Craven Dairy Auction title at Skipton Auction Mart’s opening August Craven Dairy Auction on Monday.

Like his previous three champions, the latest victor was the first prize newly calven heifer, Startover Seaver Bonnie, his only entry on the day, acquired from the Startover pedigree dairy herd at Brimham Lodge Farm, Ripley. It was by R-E-W Seaver, who was also responsible for Mr Jennings’ opening July show title winner.

Out of Startover Temper Bonnie, the 20 days-calved show principal came to market giving 30 litres and returned, like the July champion, to Brimham Lodge’s Gavin Clarke when knocked down for £1,720, the day’s leading price.

Standing reserve champion was the second prize newly calven heifer from commercial dairy farmer Keith Downs, of Bingley. By a bull acquired from the well-known Aireburn pedigree herd of Craven Dairy Auction regular Brian Moorhouse, of Bell Busk, the runner-up sold for £1,580 to frequent buyer Alf Townsend, of Southfield, Burnley.

Mr Downs was also responsible for the second prize newly calven cow, bred the same way as his reserve champion. A fortnight-calved and giving 37 litres, she also joined Mr Townsend for £1,700, second top price in show.

Brian Moorhouse was himself responsible for the red rosette-winning newly calven cow, a commercial second calver by his own home-bred bull, Aireburn President. Ten days-calved and giving 35 litres, she sold for £1,500 to ringside regular Wick Williams, of Nantwich, Cheshire, who also paid £1,320 for the third prize newly calven heifer from Chris Broadwith, of Thornton Watlass.

Also catching the eye at £1,700 was a newly calven Shorthorn heifer from Richard Walker, of East Morton. The buyer was Queensbury’s Richard Sutcliffe.

For the second show in succession, I Olivers & Partners, of Darley, took first and second prizes with in-calf heifers, the red rosette winner making £1,140 on joining David Shuttleworth in Gargrave.

JR&EL Mawson, of Elslack, presented the first and second prize maiden heifers, both selling to Starbotton’s Richard Close, with the show class winner topping at £700.

It was a smaller show than usual, with 22 head forward, and, with yet further cuts to the milk price, trade was lighter, with only the best of cattle making decent prices. First-class newly calven heifers averaged £1,522 per head and their second class counterparts £1,155. Newly calven cows averaged £1,333 each.

Show judge was James Kayley, who runs the Candlerush pedigree dairy herd in Halton West, while co-sponsors were NMR and VG Energy.