SKIPTON Auction Mart’s first Craven Dairy Auction of 2022 presented both local and travelled buyers with a solid selection of 17 head, comprising seven fresh heifers, six fresh cows and a quartet of in-calf cows and heifers, over half of those forward making £2,000-plus.

Local dairy farmer Robert Crisp, of Nelson House, Calton, began the New Year as he had ended the old one when securing the championship for the second successive sale, also bagging the reserve championship for good measure.

He took the title with a four-week calved 2nd calver by ABS Grazie, with show judge Shaun Sowray standing behind his convictions and taking this 30kg-plus cow back to Bishop Thornton for £2,320.

However, it was Mr Crisp’s reserve champion, the first prize heifer in milk, a fortnight-calved Silver daughter giving 25kg, which claimed top call of £2,380 when heading home to West Yorkshire with regular buyer Mark Goodall, of Tong.

The Yorkshire Dales dairyman again secured the day’s top average, his trio levelling at £2,300, though Martin Petch, of Aytonian Holsteins in Great Ayton, was not far behind, with his pair of heifers both fresh in early December averaging £2,225.

Ongoing dispersal stock were also a credit to their sellers and commanded good trade to returning customers. Four fresh cows from Messrs Dibb at Kilnsey saw a 2nd and 3rd calver head home to John Howard, of Heslaker, at £1,980 and £1,950 respectively.

Jack and Alan Wilson from Green Hammerton had a run of four in-calf animals, topping at £2,000 for a widely admired Picston Shottle warming with its third calf and in calf to sexed Adorable semen. She also headed home with Mr Howard, as did the Wilsons’ £1,900 top priced in-calf heifer due in February to the Saler.

Cows in milk averaged £1,805, heifers in milk £2,132, in-calf cows £1,550 and in-calf heifers £1,800.

Craven Cattle Marts dairy sales co-ordinator Sarah Liddle said: “Our first sale of the New Year certainly didn’t disappoint, but we need more numbers to meet demand as some potential purchasers still left with empty trailers. Enquiries for whole or part herd dispersals are also welcome – demand is there.” The next show and sale is this coming Monday.

Meanwhile, the mart reports that The Farming Country Podcast, which shines the spotlight on food, farming and life, continues to be extremely well received. During 2021 15 episodes were published, with over 311 minutes of content and more than 4,000 downloads from all corners of the UK, even overseas.

CCM became one of the first livestock marts in the UK to launch its own podcast at the beginning of last year and will continue to air at regular intervals during 2022. The Farming Country Podcast – the next episode is due out soon - can be accessed via the home page link at www.ccmauctions.com and recognised social media channels.