HOLSTEIN Friesian rearing calves saw a phenomenal trade at Skipton Auction Mart on Monday.

Fifteen were sold for more than £100 and five of those for over £200, topping with an eight-week-old Holstein calf from David Hall, of Coniston Cold, at £260.

The number of farmer buyers chasing these good black and white calves was notable, leading to an average of £120.58. Native breeds averaged £204.

Farmers also forced a strong trade in continental calves, with an average of £483.

Blue heifers in particular were good with the five entries averaging £494 and topping at £505 for a heifer from John Blackwell, of Gargrave.

Bulls weren’t far behind at an average of £464, and Fred Houseman, of Church Farm Enterprises, Burton Leonard, reached the highest price of the sale, selling one British Blue cross for £530.

Meanwhile, prime cattle prices also rose.

Average prices were up on the previous week, with cull cow prices up to £773.73 per head or 119.26p/kg.

A total of 44 prime cattle were put forward, with just one clean cattle over 30 months.

Brian Moorhouse, of Bell Busk, sold the top price per head black and white for £1,022, while G&MA Lawn, of Skipton, achieved £1,133 for an Aberdeen Angus Cross. Brian Moorhouse, of Bell Busk, sold a mature black and white bull for £1,022 or 95.5p/kg.

Last Wednesday, a total of 126 young feeding bulls were put forward along with 162 bullocks and heifers.

Average roses to £1,006.90 per head. Smart strong bulls were £1,200-plus, up to £1,340 for a Blue from Mark Nelson, of Bull & Cave Farm in Clapham.

Strong continental heifers from Andrew Rigby, of Slaidburn, sold for £1,300 and Paul Drinkall saw his pen of nine Aberdeen Angus steers making £1,125 apiece. Averages were at £995.16 for steers and £893.59 for heifers.

The next sale is on Wednesday.