CLOSE on 500 head of breeding cattle successfully went under the hammer at Skipton’s latest fortnightly Wednesday fixture, the second since restrictions were eased. (Wed, May 27)

The 148 young feeding bulls sold to a solid overall average £1,017 per head, a nice rise on the previous fortnight’s £953 and said to reflect the reducing number of Spring-born bulls in store rings and an improved finished price.

While heavy bulls were up in price, it was long-keep bulls which proved the trade of the day many making between £950 and £1,050. Limousin-cross bulls led the way on price, a good number topping £1,200 and a brace from the Wade family in Cononley doing best at £1,290 and £1,260.

There was a real injection into beef-bred feeding cattle trade. Of the 48 head, the pick of the continentals were all £1,100 to £1,470, this for a Limousin from Dacre’s J Fairburn, while natives carrying finish made up to £1,125 for an Aberdeen-Angus from David Neave, of Rochdale. Cows averaged £945 per head, a single Limousin bull from D Garstang, of Kelbrook, selling at £1,480.

Of the 279 store bullocks and heifers forward, a shortage of the very strongest cattle was a direct result of many farmers taking the option of turning cattle out ready for selling at the back end.

However, an active audience looking to fill up on strong types produced an improved trade, notably for over 20-month heifers for both feeding and bulling. Topping at £1,330 was a Limousin-cross from John Lancaster, of Bordley, closely followed at £1,300 for a same way bred 23-month-old from Ellis Brothers on Addingham Moorside, another from the same home making £1,290.

Strong steers did really well, the best goods proving in high demand not only for feeding, but also for supplying both the wholesale and retail butchery sectors around the UK. Of multiple four-figure prices, the Fox family, from Withgill, Clitheroe, did best with a two-year-old Blonde-cross at £1,300. Next best at £1,270 was a Bazadaise steer from Jimmy Naylor in Cononley. The 46 store steers aged18 month-plus came to a pleasing average of £1,050.

Trade for 22 breeding cattle gave clear indications that customers were looking for premium quality replacements for their herds. Silsden Moor’s Jack Berry sold three good British Blue heifer families to average £2,000.