THE 441 store bullocks and heifers among 669 head forward at Skipton Auction Mart’s fortnightly Wednesday cattle fixture met trade said to be as buoyant as recent levels, with a swift sale moved along by several larger consignments of five and six-strong pens sold together. (Wed, Feb 3)

An increased ringside of buyers out for all classes saw all goods well catered for. Suckler-bred steers sold from £1,250-£1,350 for the best end, though some weighted Limousins exceeded these prices when selling to a top of £1,490 from Fair Place Farm in Keighley, followed by one at £1,440 from AJ Shepherd, of Eshton.

Other good quality bullocks with plenty of size and style were able to command £1,350-£1,400, while 14-month-old Charolais bullocks sold to £1,290 from G&R Bulmer & Sons, of Wakefield. A consignment of 52 young 10 and 11-month-old Charolais and Limousin bullocks from William King & Son in South Kelsey all made at least £1,000, topping at £1,230.

The 25 Aberdeen-Angus bullocks forward sold well, the best end exhibiting full meat at £1,200-£1,280, while the best black and whites were £960-£1,015.

Turning to the ladies, young Limousins heifers sold to a good audience of buyers, notably the very top end destined to make good bulling heifers, these hitting tremendous heights of £1,400-£1,580 for some young 8-12 month heifers from a range of vendors, with several customers looking for bulling heifers willing to spend £1,100-£1,500 depending on age and quality.

From South Yorkshire, a run of eight-month-old Charolais heifers from Flash House Farms in Penistone generally made £780-£880, with some exceptional ones reaching four figures. Others from the same home and in the same age group were sold in large pens at £850-£950, while further quality Charolais heifers from Seth Blakey in Bolton-by-Bowland made to £1,250. Angus and dairy-bred heifers both sold well.

The 138 young feeding bulls included many pens of exceptional bulls, with Limousin the pick of a very good all-round trade when averaging £1,110 across all ages, with an overall section average of £1,070 and bulls under 12-months themselves averaging £1,061.

Also in the mix were 48 beef feeding cows and with buyers anticipating a shortage in the next few months the ringside of feeders was supplemented by grazing accounts. The best end of the pure-bred continentals saw British Blues sell to £1,480 from Bordley’s John Stephenson and Limousin to £1,410 from RTL Horsfall, of Luddendenfoot. The section average was £891. Of the four bulls, a Charolais from Leathley’s David Barker topped at £1,600.

Trade for replacement breeding cattle brought a good showing of Spring-calving entries, with suckler buyers selective when seeking both quality and those suitable for health schemes. Of the 25 on parade, the best in-calf continental cows sold to a top of £1,500 for 3rd calvers, while in-calf heifers peaked at £1,700.