Grass shortages show as dairy auction prices take a tumble

“With milk and feed supplies short, cows attracted the most interest to top the sale at £1,650 and £1,570.”

However Mr Biss did note some improvement in the sale on August 4 following a spell of rain. Just under 100 head peaked around the £1,800 mark.

Gisburn auctioneer Fred Spurgeon said there was no evidence his vendors were selling under duress.

“Unfortunately though, many of their potential customers are from areas further south where the drought effects are worse and there are serious winter fodder concerns," said Mr Spurgeon.

"It was a tough day in the dairy ring.”

However, despite cautious bidding, prices for pedigree heifers did reach £1,900 albeit an estimated £300 down on values this spring.

Further north, Carlisle’s Borderway mart dairy auctioneer Glyn Lucas said recent rain had turned things around a little, although it was too soon to make predictions.

“There are still parts of south-west Scotland on lighter soils where it remains really dry," he said.

"I think we just have to wait and see but, either way, milk producers are either going to be spending money on cows or feed – and unfortunately both for some.”

Norton and Brooksbank conducted the pedigree Kilton herd dispersal with 10 topping 2,000gns, but auctioneers said buyers were avoiding older cows or anything with a fault.

A really fast trade for milkers was reported by Wright Marshall in the Cranage Holstein dispersal, but recently served heifers and maidens were ’the hardest trade of the day’ a spokesman said.