Fife Holstein breeder, Gavin Struthers, Windybank, had a field day at the Mid Month Dairy Cattle sale at Beeston, selling three of the top four highest priced lots at £2280, £2250 and £2200.

Sale leader was Balcurvie Silver Swallow, an Altasilver daughter, that sold a month calved and giving 35kg per day. She was knocked down to DE Davies, Upper Sarnau, Powys.

Just behind, on £2250 was a BB Toy Missile calved heifer that was giving 31kg having calved at the end of July. The buyers were Messrs Vaughan, Llanrhaeadr, Oswestry. for £2250.

And, at £2200, Mr Struthers sold a Kampman heifer giving 33kg, to HV Wright and Son, Haughton, Cheshire.

Matching that price was a fresh heifer from J and TJN Platt, Lach Dennis, by O Man Kody which changed hands giving 30.5kg to J W Gleave, Sproston, Crewe.

The sale, which attracted an improved quality entry of 261 head met an increased demand, with more than half the heifer entry selling for more than £1800, with 20plus lots making more than £2000.

Averages: 41 cows, £1668.95; 63 pedigree milking heifers, £1790.65; 38 unregistered milking heifers £1525.53; 28 in-calf and served heifers £1262.61; 80 maiden heifers £628.25; 10 heifer calves £296.00.

Auctioneers: Wright Marshall