A strong show of calves for the Hope’s Auction Mart’s Christmas show and sale was judged by Stewart Coulthard, Fellside, with his champion choice taking the top call on the day.

Trade topped at £485 for the champion, a Limousin stirk from K Storr, Firtree. Reared heifers sold to £470 for June-born Limousins from Messrs Hughes, Seaville.

A useful entry of 140 store lambs sold to £89 for Beltex from Messrs Robinson, Lowfield House, and closely followed at £88.50 from Messrs Oliver, Walton Wood Head.

The final sale of the year for dairy cattle met a brisk trade, with the second calver picked as reserve champion from Andrew Carter, Gerrard House, giving 40kg at three weeks calved, selling for £1850.

Taking the championship was Orton Grange Defender Janlee, from JA Martin Farms, Orton Grange, selling for £2300. This heifer is out of a 12,800kg dam having calved in November and giving 32kg.

LEADING prices

Beef cattle – Stirk – Steer – BB – £355, £350 Crookdake House. Lim – £405 Seaville. Heifer – BB £340, £290, £280 (x2) Oulton Grange; £320 Crookdake House. £470 Seaville; £400, £380, £370 Balladoyle. Bull – BB – £425 Firtree; £290 Oulton Grange. Lim – £485, £475 Firtree;£450, £430 Balladoyle. Calf – Bull – BB – £275, £270, £265 High Pow. Lim – £440 Balladoyle. Heifer – Lim – £260 Plumbland.

Dairy – Holstein – Heifer – £2300, £2200, £1800 Orton Grange; £1700, £1250 Gerrard House. Cow – £1850, £1480 Gerrard House; £1700 Beech, Salisbury. Friesian Dairy – Heifer – £2000, £1920, £1680, £1620 Low Bank End; £1900, £1750, £1580 Harrington Parks. In-calf Holstein cows – £1500 (x2), £1300, £1250, £1050, £1000 (x2) Orton Grange.

Store lambs – Belt – £89, £65 Lowfield House; £88.50, £86, £80, £76 Walton Wood Head. Dutch Tex – £72, £71, £53 Greenside. Zwart – £62.50 Greenside.