Trade peaked at 2450gns to average £1776 with a 100% clearance – down almost £100 per head on the month – at the November Border and Lakeland show and sale held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Stirling producer, William Brester, Wester Borland, bought the top priced lot in Belaw Paul Diamond, a calved heifer from the Bellerby family's Belaw herd from Northallerton, North Yorkshire. She is by Belaw Paul and bred from a VG88 dam by Gerard.

The same buyer also went to 2200gns to buy the reserve champion, a similarly aged heifer consigned by Newtonrigg College, Penrith. This was Newtonrigg McCuthchen Bunty, by the lead type sire, McCuthchen and bred from a strong line of Ex and VG cows.

The champion, selected by the judge, Ruth Harper of Lillyhall and Lambroda pedigree herds based in Cumbria, was Stowbeck Loptimum Seaspray from Skirwith Hall Farms, Penrith. She is by Delaberge Loptimum and traces back to an Ex-classified third dam with a lifetime yield of more than 50 tonnes. She sold for 1,50gns to Empire Holsteins, Northern Ireland.

A brisk trade for pedigree Jersey heifers was topped at 1550gns for a daughter of Topeka from B and D Willison, Cinderbarrow, Levens, purchased by SN Graham, Hillend Farm, Annan.

Averages: 47 heifers in milk, £1760.76; 18 commercial milkers, £1498.21; 10 in-calf Jersey heifers, £1515.93.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.