CURRENT demand and strong trade for fresh heifers continued at CCM Skipton’s late September Craven Dairy Auction show and sale on Monday (September 23).

Peaking at £3200, the highest selling price of the 2024 dairy year to date, was the reserve champion from HS Petch & Sons, of Great Ayton – they also stood both champion and reserve at the September opener a fortnight earlier.

Their 29kg three week-calved heifer, Aytonian Signet 830, sired by the homebred Aytonian Granite - widely admired for her strength, power and strong udder credentials - was first in the ring in the ballot and after a flurry of bids the final call came from Queensbury’s Richard Sutcilffe, endorsing Signet’s placement at the top of the senior heifers in milk class under show judge, Bishop Thornton dairy farmer Shaun Sowray.

Brian and Judith Moorhouse, Aireburn herd, Bell Busk, sold a very fresh heifer by Chase from their Fantastic family after she was first placed junior heifer in milk, then overall champion, selling at £2950 to the adjudicator, who purchased four of the 19 head forward, also securing the third prize junior heifer, a widely admired correct heifer giving 33kg from the Goldies’ Wiskemanor herd, Danby Wiske, and from the Marie family by Dalliance.

Other leading prices included the second prize junior heifer, Silmoor Rager Marq I, from Edward Fort and daughters, Silsden Moor. Having calved on September 7 and bred from three generations VG, she heads to Beamsley Bank with Alan and Emily Middleton, while the Bolland family, Airton, again returned as part of their continuing dispersal to sell a Raptor-sired heifer for £2380.

Total clearance of the 19 fresh heifers averaged £2188. The next fortnightly sale on Monday, October 14, includes circa 25-30 in-calf cows and heifers due this Autumn from Nick and Yvonne Kershaw, Huddersfield, plus the Autumn Coloured Breeds sale. Catalogues will be posted online at www.ccmauctions.com