A reduction sale at CCM Skipton Auction Mart comprising 29 head of pedigree Beef Shorthorn cattle from the Bradhill and Stonehouse herds on behalf of Cliviger-based Steve and Jessica Swales provided the perfect opportunity for buyers to procure some quality animals.

It resulted in a standout price of 2450gns (£2572) for in-calf Bradhill Butterfly 2. (Sat, Oct 12).

The herds were established in the heart of the Lancashire Pennines in 2015 using bloodlines initially sourced from the well established and highly respected Beautry, Featherstone, Glenariff and Upsall herds. The aim was to produce a high quality cow suitable for grazing on a marginal upland farm.

The day’s top price fell to Levens farmer W Benson who secured Butterfly, classified EXC 85 as a heifer and carrying her second calf to Craigfaddock Praetorian, due at the end of the year. She is a March, 2021-born Wenmar Kentaro daughter bred from the EXC 93 cow Gilven Butterfly Morgan and was just one of a number of high quality purchases on the day for Mr Benson.

(Image: Steve Swales Dairy Ltd)

Another favourite at 2400gns (£2520) was the dark roan Millerston Melody Ripple, an April, 2021 Bushypark Tiger-sired cow carrying her second calf to Jodame Sydney but sold with her April-born Cairnsmore Schmeichel-sired heifer calf, Bradhill Myrtle 2.

(Image: Steve Swales Dairy Ltd)

Mother and daughter are to join the herd of George Robinson, of Helton. Meanwhile at 2350gns (£2467) Bradhill Clipper Ali a VG86 second-calver sold with a Bradhill Evaluate birth notified son born in March was bought by JT&N Monkhouse, of Shieldhill.

At 2300gns (£2415) Bradhill Augusta Celeste was one of three in fourth place. The striking dark Roan 2018 daughter of Rookwith Go Getter out of the VG88 Appleton Augusta Celeste was sold to calve at the year end to Redhill Lord Thunder. She joined D Francis, of Hillam. Sharing 2300gns was March 2022-born Bradhill Myrtle H, a December-calving Cairnsmore Landmark heifer bred from the EXC 93 Blelack Melodius, carrying a calf to the sexed sire Chapelton Pioneer and finding a home in Oakenshaw with Skipton regulars L Driver and Son.

The same buyer paid out the same amount for Nonpareil X1541 of Upsall a VG 85, King David daughter sold with her February Bradhill Royalty daughter and in-calf for February to Bradhill Titan.

A smart 11 month Praetorian-sired bull out of a lovely Heather cow sold for 1500gns (£1575).

Jessica Swales concluded the sale with a small reduction of her Stonehouse herd the highlight of which was the 2019-born Stonehouse Betsy VG 85B, sired by the Podehole Beefeater, AI son Wenmar Kentaro and out of the VG85 Bradhill Betsy which joined W Benson for 2000gns (£2100).

Overall prices and averages: Cows with calves at foot to 2400gns (average £2320); cows in-calf to 2450gns (av. £2196); heifers in-calf to 2300gns (av. £2111); maiden heifers to 1300gns; junior bulls to 1500gns.

Speaking after the sale Steve Swales said: "We achieved our objective to reduce the herd and got a lot of animals moved. The herd now stands at 60 head."

He said the family is looking for a larger holding in order to expand the herd once again, the need of which is currently thwarted by a lack of opportunity in the size of the current holding and the pressure of increasing work commitments.