SKIPTON Auction Mart’s final Craven Dairy Auction of 2018 produced a third championship win of the year for Peter Baul, who trades as M Baul and Partners and runs the Ravensgate pedigree Holstein herd at Watergate Farm, Bishop Thornton.

He bagged the title with a home-bred 18 days calved 34kg heifer, Ravensgate Mars Sylvia 188, by the Genus sire, Ballycairn Mascol Mars, out of Ravensgate Mammoth Sylvia 177. From a long established milk-rich line, the victor sold for £1,620 top price to Mark Goodall of Tong, Bradford. Standing reserve champion was another newly calven heifer consigned by commercial dairy farmer John Ireland, who trades as WR Ireland and Son at the aptly named Cattle Farm in Thorpe Bassett, Malton. By another Genus dairy bull, Nor-Bert Matic, the 12 days calved 27kg runner-up sold at £1,100 to Fred and Mike Longster in Fellbeck.

The day’s second highest price of £1,600 fell to a newly calven three-quarters bred cow from Sally Wellock, who runs the Harehills pedigree herd in Oakworth. It joined Robert Metcalfe, of Brearton. A strong contingent of selective buyers for the six milkers on offer saw newly calven cows average £1,550 and heifers £1,530.

Show judge was Sammy Sugden, of the Brontemoor herd in Laycock, Keighley, with National Milk Records again sponsoring. Craven Dairy Auctions resume on Monday, January 14.