An air of caution at Gisburn auction

5:49pm Monday 14th April 2008

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AN increase in animal feed costs and uncertainty in the milk price made for a more cautious approach from dairy cattle buyers at Gisburn Auction Mart's April show and sale.

Topping the sale was Alan Parkinson, of Chipping, with a newly calved cow at £1,960, selling to NW Coulthurst and Son, Goosnargh.

Next best was David Graveston, of Bolton-by-Bowland, with a newly calved heifer sired by Sandyknowe SLJ Arkansa.

Calved just seven days before the sale she was giving 25 litres of milk when she sold for £1,800.

Colin Booth, Feizor, of Lancaster, won the champion rosette with a freshly calved heifer sired by Tcet Lyster that calved 14 days before the auction. She sold for £1,760.

A herd consignment for Philip Feber, of Rossendale, who ceased milking at the end of March, saw a strong demand for his in-milk cows. Topping his entry was a 2003-born cow which sold for £1,310 to Neil Hanson, of Barnoldswick.