Suckled Calves

The second show and sale of suckled calves at NWA J36 saw a catalogued entry of over 300 which attracted a full ringside of both regular and new customers from throughout the Northern Counties. The pre-sale show was kindly judged by Mr C Schofield, Cheadle and was kindly sponsored by Agri Lloyd, TA Broderick & Sons Hay & Straw Merchants, WCF Fuels and Rural Energy Saving Grants.

The Championship rosette was awarded to a 6-month-old British Blue x steer from TW Gorst, Crook with the Reserve Champion rosette awarded to a Limousin x Bullock from R Gibson & Son, Kendal. The heifer class was won by PW Clarke, Crosthwaite showing a 6-month-old Red Limousin x heifer.

The sale topped at £870 for the show Champion with other strong Continentals x steers selling between £800 and £860 and younger sorts, 4-6-month-old selling between £680 and £740. Native bred steers sold to £700 for a pen of five Aberdeen Angus x steers from J Scott & Co, Cark in Cartmel with Shorthorns selling to £670 from Messrs Hodgson, Windermere and Herefords to £660 from CI Briggs, Ambleside. All suckler steers averaged £691.

Suckler heifers sold to a top price of £830 for a Blonde x from MJ Whitworth, Bolton-le-Sands with the stronger end of heifers selling between £680 and £740 depending on breed. An entry of predominately younger heifers sold to £760 for a 6-month-old black Limousin x Heifer from Messrs Hodgson, Windermere. All suckler heifers forward averaged £580.

Several suckler bulls forward sold to £685 for Blonde x from CR Alderson & Son, Kirkby Stephen with Limousin x to £670 from AJ & SE Burrow, Beetham.

Calves

There were 81 calves forward at today’s sale. Beef calves continue to be a strong trade at J36 with British Blue bulls continuing to be the best to sell topping at £300 from DR & C Galbraith, Grayrigg, with others from the same good home to £290. Charolais bulls sold to £275 from Colby Farms, Appleby. Native bred bull calves were a solid trade, with Herefords selling to £255 and £250 from Lawkland Hall Farm. Augus bulls sold to £225 from Colby Farms. Topping the Heifer section was a British Blue Heifer from JM Barton & Son, Lupton at £300, with other Blues to £295 from JW & TE Sharp, Lyth. MH & AR Robinson’s run of Limousin Heifers hit the heights at £220. Dairy Shorthorn bulls were good to sell topping at £120 from Messrs Robinson, Old Hutton. Fleckviehs peaked at £90 from RF & CE Hodgson, Pennington. There were 6 men ringside for Black and Whites. A weaned calf from RJ & P Metcalf, Crook hit £135 with the others, being a younger show, selling around the £60-£65 mark, with the next draw £45-£50 and the smallest £18-£25.

Cast Cows

There was one of the largest entries to date with 88 being sold. The sale topped at 127p/kg for a Limousin cow from K Thomas, Sedbergh. Other heavy beef cows sold to 119p/kg, twice, firstly from JF Batty & Son, Coniston selling Aberdeen Angus and secondly for Blondes from NP & CE Buckley, Ings. Beef bred cows, for further finishing, generally sold between 105-118p/kg depending on age and condition. Top grossing cow was £963 for a Limousin from K Thomas, Sedbergh with the best finished cows between £800 ad £920.

Dairy cows sold to 94p/kg for a Holstein Friesian from JJ & MA Park & Son, Helsington with other meated cows 85-92p/kg. Parlour cows sold between 70-80p/kg with the leanest sorts less. Top grossing cow sold to £652 from Messrs Dennison, Ulverston. OTM Heifers sold to 114p/kg or £699 from R & J Dodgson, Natland.

Cull bulls sold to 89p/kg or £694 for a Red Poll from J Mark, Barrow-in-Furness.

All cows sold to full value with new buyer enquires being received for the next sale on 14th November.

Store Cattle

There was a seasonal entry of Store Cattle forward with buyers keen to secure well-bred in-spec cattle with those falling out of spec and much harder trade. Top price of £900 was achieved for a Limousin x heifer from K Thomas, Sedbergh with other heifers selling to £760 for Aberdeen Angus x from MJ & JD Handley, Sedbergh. Steers sold to £850 for a South Devon from AT Threlkeld Ltd, Ulverston with Aberdeen Angus’ selling to £745 from JF Batty & Son, Coniston.
The next sale of Store Cattle is on Thursday 14th November, please forward entries to office in good time to assist the auctioneers and fieldsman in contacting buyers ahead of the sale.