More than 30 years of dedicated dairy cattle breeding came to an end at Upper Hawthwaite Farm, Broughton in Furness, when Martin and Pauline Cooper, dispersed their Hawthwaite herd. This on-farm sale attracted a huge crowd and a top price of 2300gns with an overall average of just over £1600 for milking heifers. Calves sold to 1100gns to average almost £800.

Sale leader was Hawthwaite Jordan Ivy, by Gillette Jordan, which sold dry and due with her third in June. Bred from seven generations of Excellent or Very Good cows from the Ivy cow family, she sold to Nicky Robinson, West Cocklaw Farm, Hexham. Her Numero Uno daughter topped the bulling heifer trade at 1700gns selling to the Billincoat Holstein herd of the Mutton family.

The supreme champion from the 2015 Broughton Show, Hawthwaite Lavanguard Marjorie 34, made 2250gns selling to the Ellwood family, Heathwaite, Kirkby in Furness. Due in August with her third, Marjorie came more than 11,000kg at 4.42%BF 4.02%P, in her second.

The same buyers also went to 2100gns for Hawthwaite Steady Beryl 25, a recent third calver that gave more than 12,000kg in her second.

Hawthwaite Uno Chancery 49 GP83, by Numero Uno, also made 2100gns selling to Bradleys Farm, Preesall. She sold due in December to View-Home Albania.

The catalogue cover girl, Hawthwaite Numero Uno Helen 17, a VG-2yr bred from an Ex Talent dam, made 2000gns selling to C Dent, Bridge End Holsteins. Helen was the champion at Broughton Show last year and sold due in October with her second.

Farm machinery sold well and to £17,200 for the Case tractor JXU 105 with MX Chiltern loader. The Lely Lotus Stabilo grass rake made £4600, the V mix eight tub mixer realised £2100 and the ATV quad Honda 420 sold for £3800.

Averages – 34 cows in milk, £1414.10; 21 heifers in milk, £1609.12; 13 in-calf and recently served heifers, £1218.00; 19 bulling heifers, £1046.68; 23 heifer calves, £761.02.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.