A SMALL number of clean cattle were snapped up at Skipton Auction Mart on Monday.

With just nine available under 30 months and four over 30 months, handy weight retail cattle were scarce and the few available met a good trade.

Malcolm Metcalfe, of Baldersby, headed up the sale with a 515kg Limousin heifer selling at 239.5p/kg to Keelham Farm Shop and a 415kg Limousin heifer at 237.5p/kg to Charlie Clough of Queensbury.

CD and RF Kitching, of Threshfield, sold two Limousin Cross steers under 30 months for £1,159 and £1,137, reaching 201.5p/kg and 199.5p/kg, while Mr Metcalfe sold a Limousin Cross steer for £1,143.

Prime cattle over 30 months went for an overall average of 122.02p/kg, or £761.08 per head, with R and E Butterfield, of Bentham, reaching top price with black and whites selling for £847 and £796, or 129.5p/kg and 124.5p/kg.

A larger entry of cast cattle met a similar trade. Plain and steaking cattle remain sought after despite the heavy numbers nationwide and dairies carrying finish will find 100p/kg and upwards, feeding customers seeking beef crosses and young dairies.

Cull cow prices saw an overall average of 94.60p/kg or £609.42. Limousin crosses reached 149.5p/kg, while Hereford crosses reached 112.5p/k and Black and Whites were up to 111.5p/kg.

H and S Maudsley, of Rathmell, nailed top price for a Limousin with 981 or 149.5p/kg, while John Hopkinson, of Cowling, got £838 or 112.5p/kg for a Hereford cross, H Downs and Son, of Bingley, fetched top price for a black and white with £825 and Jeff Pickles, of Ribblehead, got £828 for a British Blue.

R and M Walker sold an Ayrshire mature bull for £708, or £79.5p/kg, while EJ Fort, of Silsden, sold a black and white mature bull for £650, or 76.5p/kg.

Strong interest for Spring Lambs