THERE were 62 calves through the door at Skipton Auction Mart with a healthy trade throughout the sale.

It had the look of a decent day when the first calf in the ring, from Mark Smith, of Winterburn, kicked off at £400 and went on to sell for £430.

A large quantity of continental calves was once again on show; however, it was a Charollais X bull from David Smith, of Sutton in Craven, which topped proceedings at £470.

Next highest price was a cracking Limousin from regular supporters G Pickersgill & Sons, of Hawksworth, who found their calf to be worth £450.

A large run of heifers meant for a trade not quite as potent as previous weeks; however, the best calves still made respectable prices with John Marshall, of Dacre, topping the Blues at £340, and the Pickersgills topping the females with another belting Limousin at £390. The Continental average was £331.83.

Natives saw a handy trade to £255 for an AA calf from Fewster’s, of Cleckheaton, with native heifers from Slaters, of Goosnargh, realising £145 and £130, and the native average settling at £180.14. Black and whites were a two tier affair; anything with a touch of flesh was quickly past £100 with lighter framed calves going for £40- £80. A cracking 19-day-old Friesian from Chadwick and Leaver made £180. Black and whites averaged £60.72.