A RECORD average of £1,838 for pedigree newly calved heifers came as seven animals reached £2,000 or more, and no less than 19 of the 112 dairy cattle sold topped £1,800 at Gisburn Auction Marts.

Making the top price of £2,280 was a Hartline Jareb daughter from G and MA Smith’s Friedmar herd at Samlesbury, Preston. Having taken the day’s championship, the 27 litre heifer sold to the judge, Andrew Townsend, Burnley.

The reserve champion was a Copdon heifer from GD Donkin, Copster Green, Blackburn. Just two years old, this Bosside Altacross daughter was sold giving 33 litres to Hill and Davies, Wrexham, who also paid £2,120 for a 39 litre, non-registered second calver from MJ Fell, Carnforth.

A £2,000 bid from G Midgley, Halifax, secured a Larcrest Contrast daughter from Ripon-based Abbeyhouse herd owners Jennings Farmers. This April 2015 born heifer is out of a twice 14,000kg dam. Also at £2,000 was a 39 litre newly calved cow from JE and SM Seedall, Blackburn, selling to F and M Graham, Gretna.

A larger than usual sale of in-calf heifers sold to a top of £1,590 for E Nowell and Son, who averaged £1,520 for their three entries.

The averages were - pedigree newly calved heifers £1,838, cows £1,430. Non-pedigree newly calved heifers £1,548, cows £1,620. Pedigree in-calf heifers £1,130, non-pedigree £1,268.

The auctioneers were Richard Turner and Son.