ONLY one bid separated the Champion and Reserve at the Pedigree Sale at Gisburn Auction Mart. Both heifers were part of a strong team of four from Philip and Margaret Critchley, Wrea Green, Preston.

Boyesland Drayman Ivy by the popular Bassingthorpe Drayman was a perfectly balanced heifer, giving 32 litres. She sold for £1,920 to David Walmsley of Downham, and their Alta Avalon heifer giving the same amount of milk went for £1,900 to Hill and Davies, Wrexham. The Critchleys' other two heifers made £1,850, also to Hill and Davis and £1,700 to David Walmsley.

Malcolm Fell, Kirkby Lonsdale also had a strong show, selling a Warnelview Rewind heifer giving 33 litres to Richard Clayton, Cheshire, followed by a Twinfields Mr Hudson Red 2nd calver going to Tom Green of Wigan.

The Non-Pedigree entry was dominated by George and David Whitwell, Eldroth, with three second lactation cows going to Hill and Davies at £1,550 and £1,500 twice. Trade for second quality heifers was more selective than of late, settling either side of £1,300.

An entry of 15 quality in-calf heifers from Angela Middleton, Wigton, due for October, sold to £1,290 and averaged £1,080. Pedigree bulling heifers from P Baldwin made to £800 and heifer calves made to £300 ave. £290.

The auctioneers were Richard Turner and Son.