A HECTIC day at Skipton Auction Mart last Wednesday saw 1,528 cattle put forward.

An increased entry of feeding bulls at the opening sale of store cattle attracted a strong line-up of 21 separate buyers keen to purchase cattle but at a reduced price to reflect current uncertainty on dead weight pricing.

There was plenty of competition for well-bred 2015 spring calves in forward condition with smaller bulls harder to move. Strong short-keep bulls made £1,100 to £1,200.

In the store cattle section, trade was generally in line with everyone’s expectations, although the show of cattle was generally a shade younger than last year with not as great a proportion of strong sort cattle. Younger cattle met a nice trade on the year as well.

Overall there were an extra 115 head of cattle sold compared to last year’s sale.

Young continental bulls averaged £901 while young native bulls averaged £590. Top price pen of three or more bulls was claimed by DW Barker, of Leathley, who sold four Charolais crosses at £1,060, while JA&J Harper, of Sedbergh, sold three Charolais crosses at £1,040.

Continental store bullocks averaged £981, while natives averaged £806. W Mason & Son, of Appletreewick, got the top price pens, selling five Charolais crosses at £1,220 and five Simmental crosses at £1,210.

Store heifers averaged £917 for continentals and £744 for natives, with DW Barker coming out on top again selling six Charolais crosses for £1,130, while JR Smith, of Carleton, sold a pen of three for the same price.