THERE was another Robert Crisp victory in the sales ring at Skipton Auction Mart recently.

The Dales farmer, of Nelson House, Calton, bagged another win with a newly calven heifer at the latest Craven Dairy Auction.

Out of a small, yet quality turnout of milkers, judge Brian Moorhouse, of the Aireburn pedigree herd in Bell Busk, made his choice.

He had little hesitation in tapping out Mr Crisp’s ten days-calved 28 litre heifer as best in show.

By the genus sire, Seagull Bay MVP, the red rosette winner sold locally for top call of £1,800 to regular buyer John Howard, of Heslaker.

A second 23kg heifer from the same home, by the same sire and born on the same day as the victor, made £1,480 when again falling to Mr Howard.

A a three weeks-calved 25 litre heifer from Barden’s Ian Parkinson made £1,600 when finding pastures new with Fred and Mike Longster in Fellbeck, Harrogate.

Newly calven commercial heifers achieved a solid average of £1,627 per head.

The next Craven Dairy Auction is on Monday, October 28.

At a more recent fortnightly sheep sale, a solid turnout of 7,174 head, the vast majority store lambs, of which 7,056 sold to an overall average of £56.56 per head.

Wintering lambs were a particularly good trade across all breeds. Smaller North of England Mules took a rise on the fortnight, with most pens making £54-£56, the stronger end £57 to £68.

The 1,650 Mule and Masham wethers averaged £56.

Almost 4,000 Suffolk and Texels averaged £58.50, strong types selling at £64-£70, while Beltex crosses sold to £96, and a breed average of £69.11 for 700 head sold.

Over 700 head of Swaledale, Dalesbred and Rough Fell wethers, the largest turnout to date this season, sold well to a top of £50, with respective averages of £40.28, £43.41 and £39.43.

The next sale on Tuesday, October 29, will be the last of the current season.