SIMON Bennett, Silsden Moor, took the championship and reserve championship at the March prime cattle show at Skipton mart.

His first-prize 555kg Limousin- cross heifer, by his Gunnerfleet stock bull, was crowned champion and achieved the day’s top price when sold for £1,451 (261.5p/kg) to Keelham Farm Shop, Thornton, Bradford.

Mr Bennett was reserve champion for the second month running with his first-prize 640kg Charolaiscross steer, which sold for £1,284 (200.5p/kg) to butcher Paul Binns of Bradford.

The runner-up Limousincross heifer from John and Claire Mason, Embsay, sold for £1,110 (205.5p/kg) to Edwards Farm Butchers, Burnley, while Walshaw’s Brian Lund was third in class with another Keelham Farm Shop buy at £1,114 (196.5p/kg).

The top price under-30- month Blonde-cross heifer from John and Alison Spensley, Thorlby, made £1,163 (209.5p.kg). They also had a Limousin-cross heifer achieve £1,082 when bought by Stanforths Butchers, Skipton.

Trade for cast cattle maintained an upward trend, with dairy-breds among the 42-strong turnout very nearly back at 110p/kg on average, with an overall cull cow selling average of £821.51 per head (118.39p/kg).

More beef cows were on offer, with trade headed by an exceptional seven-yearold pure-bred British Blue presented by Sheila Mason on behalf of JH&SM Mason, Keasden Head, which tipped the scales at 935kg and made £1,744 (186.5p/kg).