Dumfries-shire Aberdeen-Angus breeders, I and J Burgess, Maryfield, bought the top priced lot at a society sale at Skipton, forking out 4200gns for an entry from local breeders, David and Josh Isherwood’s Airedale herd.

The reduction of their herd, from Lane Bridge Farm, Kildwick, was responsible for all but two of the total turnout of 39 head, with the sale leader being the February, 2017-born Airedale Miss Essence.

A daughter of the Carrington Park Time On son, Weeton Lord Horatio, out of a Lockerley Legolas-sired Rawburn cow, Miss Essence sold five months in calf to Shadwell Evolution, and now joins the Burgess’ Abbey herd.

Near neighbour, Donald Graham – who runs the Carruthers herd, at Corrie, Lockerbie – also bought three from the Airedale herd and Aberdeenshire breeder, Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, also purchased.

Second top price was 4000gns, which was paid for the five-year-old cow, Airedale Kylie, by Rawburn Ernst, out of the Blelack Duke daughter, Oak Moor Kyle. She sold with her third calf at foot, an August-born Airedale Lord Sinden son, to RA Nicholson, Brandesburton, in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

The Isherwoods sold other lots at 3600gns, 3200gns and 3000gns, with only three of the 37-strong consignment, returning home, to average £2100 per head. The 17 in-calf heifers averaged £2563, while nine cow and calf outfits, two with twin calves, levelled at £2158.

An added feature of the event was the production or draft sale of five pedigree British Blue cattle from Alan and Graham Coates’ North Craven-based Greystone pedigree herd, from Rainscar, Stainforth, which sold to 4300gns for a two-year-old white bull.

Greystone Nitram is by the Harpon De L’Orgelot son, Javanais De Rocourt, and out of a home-bred dam by Adagio Du Stordeur. He sold locally to Gargrave’s Colin Whitelock.