A QUALITY show of dairy cattle was put forward at Semex Dairy Day - the first sale of the year - at Bentham Auction Mart.

A homebred heifer from Peter and David Knowles, of Old Hutton, was named as the day’s champion. Kendalcragg Seagual Eve -19 days calved and giving 26kgs - later caught the eye of several bidders achieving the day's top price of £2,250.

Mark and Heather Atkinson, of Quernmore, claimed the next top price of £2,200, with their heifer, Wyredale Bolivia Kathy 91.

First prize in the cow class was awarded to John Fox, of Quernmore, for his pedigree second calved cow, Blackwood Fable 102. Fifteen days calved and giving 40kgs, she went on to sell for £2,000.

With six cattle achieving £2,000 or more and newly calved heifers averaging £1740.34, trade was better than expected with the current issues surrounding the dairy trade.