TRADE at Monday’s weekly rearing calf sale at Skipton Auction Mart again maintained recent solid levels for the 64 youngsters forward, which had an average age of 47 days.

British Blues youngsters once more led the way, producing a top price of £435 for a bull calf from Gargrave’s John Blackwell, while a run of eight from Johnny Moons, of Wigglesworth, peaked at £415.

Blue heifers were also well fought over by numerous bidders, with seven of the 13 forward selling at over £300 and to a top of £385 for a submission from JP and KE Hartley, of Bolton Abbey, although some small calves pegged the average back to £282.

A more even show of Limousins saw the top price £395 entry from Graham Hayton, also of Bolton Abbey, help the average up to £360 per head for bull calves. The overall Continental average was £318.42.

Native-bred prices peaked at £275 for an Aberdeen Angus bull calf from JM Smith and Son, of Carleton, producing a section average of £223.40 each.

With 90 per cent of the calves beef bred, the few black and whites on offer were keenly contested and sold to a good average of £69 per head for what was on offer, with more needed. Top on price was a £100 bull calf from dairy show judge James Kayley, of Halton West.

More quality calves will be on parade at Skipton this coming Monday, which is a show day.