Quality if not quantity were in evidence at the opening August Craven Dairy Auction at Skipton Auction Mart, when half of the eight-strong turnout, all newly calven heifers and three prizewinners among them, each sold for £2,200. (Mon, Aug 6)
Jeremy Taylor with Craven Dairy Auction victor at the opening August show.
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Both the champion and reserve were home-bred, two weeks calved heifers from Jeremy Taylor’s Smellows
Holstein Friesian pedigree herd at Broughton.
The victor, Smellows Matson Duchess, giving 30kg, is by the AI sire Autumn-Ridge Matson, who was also responsible for Mr Taylor’s reserve champion at the previous Craven Dairy Auction.
His latest runner-up, Smellows Princess 12, giving 33kg, also has an AI sire in Asken Reece.
Among the £2,200 achievers, both found a new home with Stephen Jeanes, of Glusburn.
Raymond and Robert Johnson, of Felliscliffe, presented the third prize newly calven heifer and this, along with a further heifer from CCM 2011 Stockperson of the Year, Robert Crisp, of Calton, also made £2,200, both falling to Stephen Breare, of Silsden.
The show, judged by Wick Williams, of Nantwich, produced an overall average for newly calven heifers of £1,941.
The main Craven Dairy Auction on Monday, August 20, also features a special show and sale for pedigree dairy bulls.