The first auction held under a new organiser was deemed a success after showing and selling more than double the number of animals auctioned off at previous meets.

Barnard Castle took over the running of Broughton Auction Mart in January and held their first meet on Saturday, April 20.

Alongside Teesdale Farmers Auction Mart Co LTD, Barnard Castle brought a total of 430 animals to auction.

The Store Cattle were judged by Matthew Brown and his son Harry, from Bridlington, who awarded the Overall Championship to a ‘superb’ British Blue Heifer from N Cooper & Son of Troughton Hall, Broughton in Furness. They later purchased the top price, champion Heifer for £1,800.

The Northern Farmer: Reserve champion steer

The title of Reserve Championship went to a ‘tremendous’ Limousin Steer from A Hartley, Turner Hall, Seathwaite, Broughton in Furness which the judges also purchased for £1,755.

The greatest price of the day was awarded a British Blue Steer from SW& A Hoggarth, Far Kiln Bank, Ulpha, at £1,805. On average, bulls were sold for £1,206.87, steers made £1,191.22, and heifers went at £1,064.16.

As well as achieving first prize bull, a Limousin from A Hartley Ltd, Turner Hall, Seathwaite made the highest sale across all other bulls, at £1,655.

They brought to auction a number of Steers which were all around 12 months old, selling 11 British Blue, 75 Limousin, 11 Angus, 21 Charolais, one Beef Shorthorn, eight Fleckvieh, six Friesian, two Holstein and two South Devon.

The Northern Farmer: Overall champion heifer

Leading Priced Heifers included 52 Limousin, 18 British Blue, ten Angus, 22 Charolais, two South Devon and one Beef Shorthorn, while the Bulls consisted of 13 Limousin, six British Blue and five Angus.

Of the ten OTM cattle (those over 30 months old) the top price per head was £1572.85 for a Limousin Cow from RW&JM Johnson of Hobkin Ground Farm.

Barnard Castle manager Libby Bell said: “A catalogued entry of 40 Feeding Bulls and 390 Store Cattle was presented to a packed ringside of buyers from all parts of the country, resulting in a marvellous trade from start to finish.

“A tremendous atmosphere prevailed throughout the day, and an immeasurable thank you must be given to all the customers on both sides of the ring for making the day a success.”

The auction was sponsored by Furness Agricultural Supplies, as well as Adam Jackson ATV and Garden Machinery.

PRIZE LIST

Steer:

1st & Reserve Champion A Hartley Ltd, Turner Hall, Seathwaite, Broughton in Furness (Lim) £1755

2nd Messrs Turner, Long garth Farm, Ulpha Broughton in Furness (Lim) - £1585

3rd Messrs Turner, Long garth Farm, Ulpha Broughton in Furness (Lim) - £1495

Limousin Heifer:

1st DJ&MJ Hoggarth, Old Hall, Ulpha Broughton in Furness - £1575

2nd KP&EJ Knight, Guards Farm, Kirkby in Furness - £1595

3rd Messrs Turner, Long garth Farm, Ulpha Broughton in Furness - £1525

Any Other Continental Breed Heifer (All British Blue):

1st & Overall Champion, N Cooper & Sons, Troughton Hall, Woodland, Broughton in Furness - £1800

2nd NA&J Temple, Blackhall Farm, Ulpha, Broughton in Furness - £1495

3rd NA&J Temple, Blackhall Farm, Ulpha, Broughton in Furness - £1475

Native Bred Heifer:

1st J Roberts & Sons, Cross House Farm, Drigg (S Devon) - £1355

2nd M&GM Fox, Crosbythwaite, Ulpha, Broughton in Furness (Angus) - £1485

3rd M&GM Fox, Crosbythwaite, Ulpha, Broughton in Furness (Angus) - £1485

Native Bred Steer (all 12 months old):

1st J Roberts & Sons, Cross House Farm, Drigg (S Devon) - £945

2nd J Roberts & Sons, Cross House Farm, Drigg (S Devon)- £945

3rd M&GM Fox, Crosbythwaite, Ulpha, Broughton in Furness (Angus) - £815

FEEDING BULLS

The Feeding Bulls Were Judged by Harry Watson, County Durham, who gave the following awards:

1st A Hartley Ltd, Turner Hall, Seathwaite, Broughton in Furness (Lim) - £1655

2nd A Hartley Ltd, Turner Hall, Seathwaite, Broughton in Furness (Lim - £1565

3rd DJ&MJ Hoggarth, Old Hall, Ulpha Broughton in Furness (Lim) - £1495

The next sale will be held on Tuesday May 21 and will include a Prize Show and Sale of Beef Breeding Cattle, Feeding Bulls and Store Cattle as well as OTM Cattle and the first sale of Ewes with Lambs at Foot. Entries for the next auction close Tuesday May 14 at noon.