ANOTHER busy Monday market at Skipton Auction Mart incorporated weekly primestock and rearing calf sales.

In the prime cattle arena, a strong entry of under 30-month clean cattle featured a good proportion weighing in a 600kg-plus, with Ralph Pearson Wholesale Butchers in Bradford by far the leading buyer when accounting for 16 of the 28 head entered.

Their haul included the leading gross price at £1,927 (285.5p/kg) for a 675kg Limousin-x steer from Threshfield brothers Charles and Richard Ktching, and, from the same home, the leading per kilo steer, a 640kg Bazadaise-x at 287.5p (£1,840).

Top price by weight at 306.5p/kg (£1,916) was another Kitching entry, a 625kg Limousin-x heifer sold to Kendalls Farmers Butchers in Pateley Bridge. Ten of the day’s entry comprised native breed or black and white heifers, with heavy Aberdeen-Angus steers selling to 220.5p/kg and Angus heifers bred from Continental cows to 283.5p/kg. The 22 cull cows on offer averaged 110.03p/kg, or £753.99 per head.

A heady entry of 4,324 prime sheep saw all forward witness a trade that continues to rise, ending with a superb overall lamb average of 278p/kg (SQQ 283.3p) or £122.80 per head, for 3,364 on offer.

Best heavies and smart lambs grossed in the £170s and £160s – ten pens were in the latter bracket – with the strength of the trade clearly illustrated by a further 121 pens selling in the £150s and £140s. CM&EM Gratton, of Warsill, claimed top per head call at £175, with the Kitching brothers again making their mark with the leading per kilo price of 393p.

A further 123 pens made from 300-348p/kg, though not all these were Beltex types, with heavier lambs able to achieve 300p/kg and nice commercial handy and lightweight lambs able to make 285p to 310p.

There was also a charity element to the sale when a Texel lamb kindly presented by Skipton husband and wife mart regulars, Ken and Hazel Gamble, from Easingwold, was purchased for an extremely generous £500 by Felliscliffe’s Andrew Atkinson, himself a familiar face at the Skipton ringside. Proceeds are in aid of Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope in memory of former Skipton mart foreman Royston Baxter, who passed away recently.

The 870 cast sheep saw ewes dearer on the week, with plain, lean and meat all up a gear. White-faced ewes topped at £169.50 for a pen of six Texels from Linton’s Thomas Boothman, while white-faced tups peaked at £179.50, again for a Texel from Brian Lund in Walshaw, Hebden Bridge. Cull ewes averaged £92.29 and cast rams £104.13.

The 48 rearing calves penned for sale saw British Blue crosses dearer on the week, with bulls topping the trade at £450, plus another at £435, from Percy, Janet and James Bolland in Airton. Best Blue-x heifer calves were £300-£320.

While both natives and black and white youngsters were a touch easier on the week, Angus bulls met a nice trade, selling to £375 from Hayton & Stocks in Bolton Abbey.