BEEF Shorthorn heifers met a strong demand with Gerald Turton of Upsall, Thirsk, taking the championship and top 3,100gns price and a string of other sales at the breed society’s official show and sale at Skipton.

His champion was Tessa X767 of Upsall, a 20 month in calf Dunsyre Bonaparte daughter out of a homebred dam which sold for 3,100gns to J and L Swiers, Thirsk.

The Swiers also paid 2,700gns for Croxtonpark Talbot, an 18 month-old incalf heifer by Chapelton Wildfire out of a Tofts bred dam which was shown by Morrison Farm, Dumfries House, Cumnock.

Two entries shared the day’s next highest 2,600gns bid.

Shawhill Edward is a 21 month-old Alvie Blueyed Boy son out of an Upsall dam. Bred and exhibited by Thomson, Roddick and Laurie, Lockerbie, he secured the reserve championship before being sold to FW Graham, Masham, Ripon.

The second was made by EG and LA Paddy Jones, Nannerch, Mold, for a 20 month old in calf heifer from Tracy Severn, Halifax. Highlee Elizabeth was by Astrix of Upsall out of a Sandwick bred dam.

At 2,100gns the Jones’ offered Highlee Rose Diamond, a two year in calf heifer by Vulcan of Upsall out of a Sandwick dam. The buyers were ME and TD Tailford, Riding Mill, Hexham.

Mr Turton offered a string of females including the 20 month old Nonpareil X764 of Upsall, an in calf heifer by Dunsyre Bonaparte at 2,000gns to F Hare and Sons, Brignall, Barnard Castle. Minutes before, Marigold X539 of Upsall, another in calf heifer by the homebred Vortrekker of Upsall made 1,900gns to P Turnbull, Pickering.

Mr Turton also led the maiden section at 2,500gns with the 18 month old Upsall Augusta by Bonaparte and of a homebred dam. The buyer was T Riley, Midgely, Hebdon Bridge.

Victoria X782 of Upsall, another 18 month old maiden this time by Chapelton Wildfire made 1,500gns to S Cornforth, Egton, Whitby, who also paid 1,450gns for the 17 month old maiden, Ury Maid X791 of Upsall, by Bonaparte.

Paul Braithwaite, Stokesley, offered the reserve female champion, the two year old in calf heifer, Albion Jilt Desiree, by Uppermill Lomand. She was secured for 1,900gns by LA Senior, Morecambe. Mr Braithwaite also secured 1,850gns for the two year old in calf heifer, Heworth Boss Ballard Girl 1, a Bossman of Upsall daughter. The buyers were ME and TD Tailford. Averages: 11 heifers £1,565.45; 16 in calf heifers £2,103.28; 5 cows £1,900.50; 2 bulls £2,336.25 Auctioneers: CCM