CCM Auctions’ final fortnightly sale of dairy cattle of the year achieved total clearance for a solid entry of 41 black and white cows and heifers sold through the ring. (Mon, Dec 14)

Trade topped at £2,020 for Shawdale Incredibull Pledge 68, a three-week calved heifer from David, Margaret and Jennie Booth, of the Master Breeder pedigree Shawdale herd in Lothersdale.

Already giving 35kg per day and a granddaughter of the show-winning EX94-4E Shawdale Damion Pledge 2 4* who gave over 90 tonnes of milk lifetime, she sold to the Sowray Brothers in Bishop Thornton, Harrogate, regular vendors of calves at Skipton and past multiple show champions with their dairy-bred youngsters.

Next in line at £1,900 was one of four consigned by Peter Waring, from Cherry Burton, Beverley.

His fresh heifer, an early November calver bred in the Crosbygrange herd of the Smith’s at Northallerton, and one of several maidens bought by Peter at their on-farm herd dispersal in 2019, went home to Gargrave with John Howard.

There were two milky second calver cows giving over 40kg per day that looked profitable possibilities sold from Peter Waring and Alan Goldie, of Danby Wiske, Northallerton, at £1,800 and £1,750 respectively. Nine milkers in the regular sale averages £1,777.

The mart also welcomed a second consignment from brothers Paul and Robert Lange, from near Slingsby, Malton, who are retiring from dairying, with a large crowd gathering to see their 32 lots, many of which were a long time calved and due next Spring, as well as a third, or ten in number, being in their fifth lactation or more, clearly illustrating the youthfulness and wearability of the consignment.

Catching the eye was a third calver giving over 40kg and October calved, which sold for £1,900 and was one of nine heading over the hill to Andrew Avison in Coverdale.

She was closely followed by a second calver due again in February, who headed at £1,850 over to Kirklees with Messrs Parker, of Emley. The 32 dispersal cows and heifers averaged £1,311.

Dairy sales co-ordinator Sarah Liddle commented: “With the last sale of 2020 all wrapped up, the auction must thank all vendors and purchasers during the year who have helped make Craven Dairy Auctions go from strength to strength.

“The mart has seen unprecedented levels of all ages and classes of dairy stock sold to new record prices, and across many dairy breeds, with larger numbers than before moved both through the ring and through private farm to farm sales.

“Without a doubt CCM is proud of its first-class facilities and loyal following and looks forward to growing further the dairy element of the auctions offering in 2021.” Fortnightly dairy fixtures return on Monday, January 11.