Increased averages and clearance rates coupled with a lead price of 6000gns set the scene at Craven Auction Mart's Limousin Day show and sale at Skipton.

The sale, which saw 78 head achieve at 91% clearance, was led by Garrowby Hurricane, a five-year-old bull from the Priestley family's Brontemoor herd from Cracrop Farm, Kirkambeck, Brampton. Their bull, a son of the 24,000gns Glenrock Ventura, out of the Wilson Jago daughter, Tikhill Bridget, was initially bought at this sale from Garrowby Estate Farms for 4400gns, as a 14-month-old.

With four crops of calves already on the ground, this sire of several award-winning progeny to include the 2016 Cumberland County Show commercial beef champion, made 6000gns to the Dalton farming family – husband and wife, Robbie and Louise Dalton, and their children Wayne and Lisa, of West End Farm, Romaldkirk in Teesdale, County Durham.

Second top price was 4600gns paid on two occasions for bulls with the first of those being Tomschoice Matador, from James and Sarah Cooper, Tomschoice Limousins, Hill Top Farm, Dacre, Harrogate. Their January 2016-born is by the Irish-bred Carwin Icarus, and sold to John Brewer, who runs the Coredale herd at Lower Core, Bleasdale, near Preston.

Andrew Howarth, who runs the Copperhurst herd from Hurst Farm, Greater Manchester also received 4600gns and 4500gns.

The former, Copperhurst Lenny, a two-year-old son of Plumtree Fantastic, found a new home with Adrian and Dorothy Stones, and their son Adam, Bugthorpe, Stamford Bridge, near York.

Mr Howarth’s 4500gns bull was the October 2015-born, Copperhurst Lionking, by the herd's own Kaprico Eravelle son, Copperhurst Ike, out of Copperhurst Geranium. The buyer was Adam Kunz, of, Ingmanthrope, Wetherby.

Procters Farm, Slaidburn, was also in the money with two bull sales at 4500gns, Procters Master, which was reserve junior male, is by 38,000gns Ampertaine Foreman and sold to the Procter family, Trevor and Andrew, of Villa Farm, Great Musgrave, Kirkby Stephen.

Procters Lancastrian, a December 2015-born son of Ampertaine Hotshot also made 4500gns selling to Kevin Huck and John Tennant, both from Bordley.

Leading the female section at 3100gns was Swalesmoor Lara, from first time exhibitor, Danny Sawrij, Kedzlie Farm, of Blainslie, Galashiels. His two-year-old daughter of the French sire, Bial, sold in calf to the 20,000gns Foxhillfarm Louisvitton, to Mark Crabtree, of Kettlesing.

Averages: 20 intermediate bulls £3313 (+£251); 19 junior bulls £2863 (+£609); 20 maiden heifers £1683 (+£202); seven cows in calf or with cows at foot £2713 (+£158).