Averages:

118 cows and calved heifers, £1447.40; 22 served heifers, £1156.91; 30 maiden heifers, £694.75. Overall, 170 lots (incl 25 ‘A’ lots @ £408), £1276.98; 13 mastitis, three-quartered and barren cows, £841.61

A LARGE ringside of buyers was forward for the dispersal of D and E Beresford and Son’s high yielding Highgro herd from High Ground Farm, Hellifield, Skipton, where a much improved trade saw averages work out at virtually £1100 per life.

The herd which boasted national milk records of 11,259kg and an impressive health status in a TB4 area, saw some 13 individuals make 2000gns or more, with a lead bid of 2500gns paid for the best from guest consignor and near neighbour, Brian Moorhouse’s Aireburn herd.

Selling at this price was Aireburn Zelgadis Stephanie. Bred from three generations of Excellent-classified cows, she sold due in September to Lavanguard, to Edward Fort for his Silmoor herd near Keighley.

The same buyer also went to 2250gns for another Zelgadis daughter from Aireburn, with the 17 Aireburn cattle cashing in to average £1971.

One of the main buyers was Preston-based, K Lupton who purchased 15 animals for his herd at Longridge. This included Highgro H Jordan Linda 2 at 2450gns, a February-calved heifer that sold still giving almost 40 litres daily.

David Oversby of Townhead Farm Products, bought 39 animals for his Grassington-based business near Skipton.

In an equally determined mood, John Trott of Farley Farms, took 29 for the Bearsted herd near Reading in Berkshire.

Served heifers peaked at 1400gns for a Gillette Jordan daughter due in November and maidens sold to 950gns for a 10-month-old Balisto daughter, with calves to 600gns for an eight-week-old Roycedale Approval calf whose dam made 2150gns.

Auctioneers: Norton and Brooksbank