WITH annual lambing time beginning to wind down, activity is hotting up at CCM Skipton Auction Mart, hopefully along with the weather - the recent record rains have proved a torrid time for farmers.

Alongside the usual weekly livestock sales, there’s lots to look forward to in May, both in-house and externally. On Saturday, May 4, CCM will host an on-farm dispersal sale at Owlet Hall, Austwick, on behalf of North Craven husband and wife, James and Deborah Ogden, familiar faces and multiple past prize winners at Skipton.

The couple, who have successfully run a mixed livestock farm for many years, commented: “We have chosen to stop farming as it feels like the right time. Our boys have successful careers outside farming. It’s time for someone else to take the farm to the next level while we explore other opportunities.”

The dispersal will comprise multiple items - tractors, a telehandler, UTV, trailers, machinery, implements, mobile cattle and sheep handling equipment, along with miscellaneous tools.

The sale is due to start at 11am, with viewing on the same morning only and commission bidding also available until 7am that morning. An online catalogue is available at www.ccmauctions.com Back on home ground, Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week (May 7&8) headline with the annual two-day pedigree Limousin cattle fixture, the opening day featuring the Northern Limousin Extravanganza, the show-only for halter-led pedigree and cross-bred 2023-born youngsters, with judging scheduled to begin at 2.30pm.

The afternoon will also present an opportunity to view entries in the following day’s Spring show and sale of pedigree Limousin bulls and females, the second major event in CCM’s 2024 pedigree beef season and highlight of the year for the ever-popular cattle breed. Both are again supported by The North East Limousin Breeders Club.

Another all-action Saturday is guaranteed on May 11, with the feature an ever-popular Agri-Trader Auction, comprising a widespread offering of agricultural machinery and equipment, including a special section for vintage items, along with stone and timber, reclamation and salvage, plus a vast array of antique, furniture, household and general goods always much sought after by both agricultural communities and members of the public alike.

The same day’s monthly livestock collective fixture also features the 2nd Grass Day sale – a report on this Saturday’s opening show and sale will appear in next week’s Herald – while the annual early sale of Border Fine Arts and Beswick pieces is yet another highlight.

The annual Spring sale of working sheep dogs on Friday, May 17, is a live field sale with entries once more anticipated from respected breeders and handlers across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Some top quality dogs – fully broken, part-broken and unbroken – will be among the line-up, again offering opportunities for all tastes and pockets, whether those seeking to acquire already well-proven work and trial dogs, others to break, plus others to bring on for both work or trial.

A live online bidding facility will again be available for those unable to attend the sale in person, with a catalogue to be posted online soon.