Increased demand for fresh heifers saw pedigree and un-registered Holstein females sell to £2820 and £2700 twice at Gisburn Auction Marts’ first sale of the month.

The catalogued entry of 75 also saw the top 10 heifers average £2585

The sales leader was a Sound System-sired heifer from M and J Bristol’s Claremont herd. The heifer from the Maude family boasts seven generations of VG or Ex-classified females in her pedigree and sold giving 31kg per day to the Horsley Gates Partnership, Aldfield, Ripon who bought the lead five pedigree heifers.

The same buyers went to £2680 for an Aireburn heifer from GB Moorhouse, Bell Busk, Skipton. By Seagull-Bay Applejax and out of the Ex93(3) Pacific Linda dam, she sold giving 33kg.

Horsley Gates bought two at £2620 including a Stantons Chief daughter from RJ and GL Dewhurst, Whittingham, Preston. Hotherdew Doreen 155 is out of a 14,677kg superior production dam and also sold giving 33kg per day.

Matching that price was one of two entries from Jennings Farmers, Ripon. The Claynook Country daughter carrying the Sunnybanks prefix sold giving 34kg.

The second from Jennings Farmers, a Metcalfe Farms-bred Washfold heifer by Denovo Ginettta, made £2600.

Preston-based BF Blezard, Ribchester, paid £2450 for an Altavelvet heifer from GD Donkin’s Copdon herd, Blackburn, and also bought the two highest priced non-registered heifers at £2700 each. They were the first and second prize winners in class from J and B Rowland, Haighton, Preston, giving 34kg and 33kg respectively.

The third prize winner from DA Wilcock, Blackrod, made £2380 to Horsley Gates Partnership.

The three in-calf heifers forward included a pair of pedigree entries from DW and MN Ishmael, Orrell, Wigan, which sold for £1720 for a Nortonhill R2D2 daughter in calf to an Angus bull.

Auctioneers: Gisburn Auction Marts.

Averages: Pedigree – Fresh heifers, £2086; fresh cows, £1710; in-calf heifers, £1610. Un-registered – Fresh heifers, £1760; fresh cows, £1405; in-calf heifers, £1200.