GISBURN Auction Marts' dairy and rearing calves sale saw a large number of rearing calves, although there were slightly less dairy cattle than expected.

Top price of the day in the dairy ring was £2,120 for a smart heifer from Anthony Bretherton, of Whitechapel, Preston, that ticked all the boxes for milk, age and type.

James Rogerson, of Poulton le Fylde, had a great run of heifers topping at £2,000 when selling to Doug Graves, of Carlisle. There were numerous heifers around £1,500, with a Jersey cross from Robert Johnson, of Felliscliffe, Harrogate, achieving £1,160.

Trade was strong in the bulling heifer section, topping at £820 and averaging £700.

A total of 252 calves and stirks 40 British Blue Bulls sold to a high of £508 for a trio from Alan Bowker, of Cowling, and averaged £360 right through.

A fantastic show of 48 British Blue heifers sold for between £175 and £450, to level at £318. Angus bulls were a tremendous trade – topping at £345 from Jim Faud, of Great Harwood, £342, £335 and £335 from Frank Wrathall, of Gisburn, and £335 again from Colin Whitelock, of Gargrave.

There was a shortage of Simmental calves, but no shortage of interest – bulls sold at £470, £410, £400 and £350 from David Mattinson. Heifers achieved £372 from Alec Simpson, of Bolton by Bowland, £365 from David Mattinson, of Bracewell, and £325, £322 and £320 John Shuttleworth, of Rylstone.

Most Limousin bulls sold for above £300, topping at £342 from G and M Dakin & Sons. Limousin heifers were particularly in demand – Jonathan Peel, of Newsholme, Clitheroe claiming the top spot at £315.

There were 85 black and whites put forward, selling for between £5 and £260 to average £84 through for all quality. There was spirited bidding for the stirks – bulls to £500 and a nice six-month-old heifer to £560.