GARGRAVE farmer David Shuttleworth had a successful day at Gisburn Auction Marts' Easter calf show on Thursday.

He picked up the second prize rosette in the British Blue bull class as well as the reserve championship. His eight-week-old winner sold for £528.

The top priced Simmental bull calf also came from Mr Shuttleworth at £492.

However pre-sale show judge Richard Umpleby picked out a seven-week-old British Blue bull from Brian Blezard, of Hothersall, Ribchester, as champion.

Earlier in the day it won the best British Blue bull class and later sold for £535 to John Swann, of Little Ouseburn, York.

Mr Blezard’s third prize British Blue bull sold for £500 to G Baxter and Son, of Garforth, Leeds, who also purchased a second British Blue bull calf from the same vendor for £498.

The British Blue heifer class was dominated by Craven farmers with Richard Lancaster, of Horton-in-Craven, picking up the first prize rosette with a calf which was knocked down at £375.

Regular vendors, David and Pauline Newbould, of Newsholme, achieved £385 for their second prize heifer calf and Ian Wellock, of Kirkby Malham, received the third prize rosette for his calf which sold for £355.

Auctioneer Rachel Capstick said: “Demand was high for calves with 37 Continental calves being keenly bid between £400 and £498. There was very little of anything below £300, apart from black and white bull calves, but these were very much in demand too and averaged £98 right through.”

Averages were: British Blue bulls, £386; British Blue heifers, £470; Simmental bulls, £432; Simmental heifers, £345; and black and white bulls, £98