MAKING his first-ever appearance in the dairy show arena at Skipton Auction Mart, Cowling’s Chris Bell made an immediate impact when crowned champion at the final Craven Dairy Auction fixture of the year.

Chris, who trades as NA Bell and runs the Mireclose pedigree Holstein herd at the farm of the same name, bagged the title on his debut with a 23 days calved, 27 litre and rising heifer, Mireclose Galaxy Chesakate, by De-Su Freddie Galaxy, out of a home-bred daughter of Regancrest-Mr Drham Sam.

She sold for £1,920 to ringside regular Brian Blezard, of Ribchester.

Chris is a fifth generation dairy farmer, the herd being originally established by his great, great grandfather, William Bell, around a century ago.

It currently has 85 milkers.

Top price of £2,200 fell to a 21 days calved, 30 litre heifer from Craven Dairy Auction regular and multiple past champion Peter Baul’s Ravensgate pedigree herd in Bishop Thornton, again claimed by Mr Blezard.

The second and third prize heifers, both commercials, were consigned by the Moon family, from Paythorne. Their three weeks calved 32 litre runner-up selling for second top call of £2,100 to Silsden Moor’s Stephen Breare.

The seven-strong line-up of newly calven heifers averaged £1,652.

Show judge was Sammy Jo Sugden, who runs the Brontemoor pedigree herd in Laycock, Keighley. Fortnightly Craven Dairy Auctions return in the New Year on Monday, January 13.

Skipton Auction Mart’s final fortnightly Wednesday store and breeding cattle sale of 2019 attracted a solid 401 head, all but two feeding cattle.

Of the 55 young bulls on offer, those selling spring-born calves at auction were rewarded with a very good trade.

Among them was RD Elliott, of Tadcaster, who was selling strong February-born Simmentals to £1,135.

His April-born bulls generally made between £850 and £950.

Also on parade were 276 store bullocks and heifers, for which trade was sharp, notably for entries carrying flesh.

Native-sired cattle and black and whites were forward in good numbers.

Angus/Shorthorn-sired bullocks and heifers were also good to sell.

The 38 black and white bullocks topped at £860, averaging £743.

Trade for 64 beef feeding cows continued in the strong vein of recent weeks to average £781 for a very commercial turnout.

The best of them saw the hammer falling to £1,180 and £1,150 from Highfield Farm, Chorley.

The next midweek cattle sale is the Great New Year fixture on Wednesday, January 8, when a turnout of 1,400 head is anticipated.

Details of all sales can be found at www.ccmauctions.com