2012-07-24
Despite uncertainties over the future of milk prices, trade remained remarkably buoyant for better quality sorts at the main July Craven Dairy Auction at Skipton Auction Mart. (Mon, July 23).
Pictured in the Skipton ring with the Craven Dairy Auction July champion are, from left, BOCM Pauls’ Phil Coleman, exhibitor Andrew Jennings and judge Paul Bolland.
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The top end sold to a high of £2,220 for the second prize newly calven heifer and reserve champion shown by Jeremy Taylor, who runs the Smellows Holstein Friesian pedigree herd at Broughton.
His home-bred pedigree, Smellow Matson Marie, by the AI sire Autumn-Ridge Matson, came to market two weeks after calving and giving 32kg of milk. She remained in the area when joining Stephen Jeanes, of Glusburn.
Champion on the day and second top price achiever at £2,150 was the first prize newly calven heifer from Andrew Jennings, of Jennings Farmers, Fountains, Ripon, who was repeating his championship-winning success of the previous month.
His three weeks calved home-bred, giving 34 litres and by the Semex sire Ladino Park Talent, joined W E Blockley, of Chester. Jennings Farmers’ Stainbank pedigree herd was also responsible for the first prize newly calven cow, a £1,720 acquisition by Mark Ashworth, of Clitheroe.
The third prize heifer from Malcolm and Robert Swires, of, Haverah Park, Beckwithshaw, sold locally for £1,960 to show judge Paul Bolland, of Airton, while the same exhibitors were also responsible for the second prize and top price newly calven cow, knocked down at £2,000 to regular Cheshire buyer Wick Williams, of Nantwich.
The Swires also sold two other newly calven heifers at £2,000 per head, while long distance travellers William and Susan Skelton, of Laughton, Gainsborough, achieved £1,980 for another heifer.
1st quality newly calven heifers averaged £1,970 and 2nd quality £1,451, selling to an overall average of £1,710. 1st quality newly calven cows averaged £1,758 and 2nd quality £1,343, producing an overall average of £1,551.
At the fixture, dairy farmers were united when calling for urgent action to settle the current milk price war, amid stark warnings that unless the situation is resolved quickly, the UK will see an exodus from milk production this year.
When canvassed, the region’s milk producers spoke with one voice of the need to maintain a consolidated front in the continuing battle for a better deal on falling milk prices. “We have all got to stick together, to keep the pressure up and make our voice heard loud and clear – otherwise the game is up,” was the combined opinion of many dairy farmers.
The show was again sponsored by BOCM-Pauls, who support next month’s main Craven Dairy Auction on Monday, August 20, which will also feature a special show and sale for pedigree dairy bulls. Entries close on August 14. Vendors and buyers should also note that the early August dairy show and sale is scheduled for Monday the 6th.
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