CCM Skipton’s busy pedigree beef Spring opener culminated with a compact show and sale of eight native-sired bulls and females, which on this occasion was dominated by Aberdeen-Angus entries.

The day would prove a double-topper in both the show arena and on price for Richard Gratton, who runs the Angus pedigree herd of the same surname at Kirby Misperton.

His January ‘25-born bull, Gratton Equity, out of Yearsley Eyrie – a McCornick Pathfinder-sired cow – and sired by Rawburn Loaded, was tapped out by judge, again George McCulloch, Thirsk, before marching on to make the 4400gns top. He was snapped up by the Mallinson family, from Mount Tabor, Halifax.

Mr Gratton supplemented his top price success when also selling a heifer and calf outfit at 2,800gns and an in-calf heifer at 2500gns.

Richard Gratton with his champion and top price 4,400gns Aberdeen-Angus bull at CCM’s annual Spring natives highlight.

placeholder image — Richard Gratton with his champion and top price 4,400gns Aberdeen-Angus bull at CCM’s annual Spring natives highlight.

Hard on Gratton Equity’s heels at 4000gns and earning a second prize for North Craven farmers JD and JA Holgate, Rathmell, was Airedale Evensteven. Sired by Shadwell Rock and Roll, out of Shadwell Evora, this March 2024-born strong bull had served cows before being offered for sale and subsequently found a new home with RW and M Walker, Laycock, Keighley. Bulls averaged £4,410, cows £2,625 and cow and calf outfits a £2,940.