R AND H Critchley, from Mercer Farm, Hutton, near Preston, once again dominated the prime cattle arena at Skipton Auction Mart’s latest monthly showcase, repeating their title-winning success at January’s opening show. This came on the back of six titles wins, plus a trio of reserve championships in 2017.
Their latest victor was the first prize heifer, a 515kg Limousin-cross sold for the leading by-weight price of 269.5p/kg, or £1,388, to weekly Skipton buyer Keelham Farm Shop. From another strong pen, the Critchleys also stepped up with the first prize steer, again a 515kg Limousin-cross, which fell for £1,498, or 267.5p/kg, to another regular Skipton buyer, Alan Beecroft, of Countrystyle Meats Farm Shop in Lancaster.
Top gross in the sale was the third prize 600kg Limousin-cross heifer from Malcolm Metcalfe, of Baldersby Park, which made £1,545, or 257.5p/kg, when again falling to Keelham buyer and co-owner James Robertshaw. He was yet again the day’s leading purchaser, securing ten of the 18-strong entry of under 30-month clean cattle for the two family-run shops in Skipton and Thornton. Also among the Keelham haul were three further Limousin-cross, another heifer from Silsden Moor’s Simon Bennett at £1,520, plus the top price £1,503 steer from N Mayor, of Chorley, and the third prize steer from Denholme’s James Drake at £1,360.
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