Pedigree Holsteins from Bill Nadin and Yasmin Bradbury's Sterndale herd from Buxton, dominated the Mid Month Dairy sale at Beeston Auction mart, attracting the top seven prices.

The sale, which included commercial dairy cattle, saw 196 head forward of which 177 found new homes, representing a 90% clearance rate.

A total of 41 active purchasers were recorded which coupled with a strong demand throughout saw more cattle sell for in excess of £2300 than traded at less than £1000.

Such was the demand that 114 cows and milking heifers of all breeds and faults, to include three quartered or uneven in the udder, averaged £1742.

Top price was £3600 paid for Sterndale Raeson Triuna Red, a Cogent Raeson-sired heifer that calved her first late March. Bred from eight successive generations of VG or Excellent classified cows, she sold giving 30kg per day to J and I Garth, Copp Farm, Preston.

Shropshire breeders, B and L Whitfield, Newhouse, Wem, bought three of the top Sterndale calved heifers including the second top priced lot at £3000. This was Sterndale Delta Kate, another late March-calved heifer this time bred from the Ex92-4yr Sterndale Lovejoy Kate. She is by Mr Hovden Delta and sold giving 45kg.

The Whitfields also went to £2500 and £2450 for Sterndale Apples Promis Red, giving 30kg and Sterndale Denver Papoose, yielding 41kg per day.

Matching the £2500 bid, North Yorkshire breeders, TC Alderson and Son, Scorton Road Farm, East Cowton, bought Sterndale All About Promis, which calved mid April and is giving 32litres.

Averages: 21 cows, £1371; 93 milking heifers, £1742; 41 in-calf heifers, £1331; 22 recently served heifers, £1025.

Auctioneers: Wright Marshall.