Averages increased on the year at Darlington Farmers Auction Marts' Mid-March Extravaganza show and sale of store cattle sale, when 128 steers and 183 heifers cashed in at £1152 (+£118) and £1072 (+£72) respectively.

Leading the proceedings at £1760 was a Limousin cross heifer from PRE Marwood, Huller Bush, whilst steers peaked at £1665 for a Limousin from WA Wardman of Thrushwood, Yearby.

At the pre-sale show, judge, John Smith-Jackson, Haltwhistle, found his champion in a Limousin cross steer from the Stones family of Nun Cote Nook, Marrick, which later realised £1510 when the hammer fell to W and L Thompson, Pickering

Reserve was a black Limousin cross heifer from HS Hutchinson, White House, that made £1280 to MF Hall, Ponteland.

Young bulls averaged £1234, having reached £1500 for Limousin crosses from WA Richardson, Hutton Fields.

A pair of Texels from JE Holliday and Son, Woodland House, led the store hoggs at £124.

LEADING prices

Steers – £1665, £1535, £1450, £1405, WA Wardman Ltd; £1580, £1380 (x2), £1315, WA Dinsdale and Son; £1580 M Shepherd; £1510, £1400, £1330, KO Stones; £1490, £1420, MR Madrell; £1465, £1360, £1320 HS Hutchinson; £1440, J and EM Lawson; £1320 (x2) E Scott and Sons.

Heifers – £1780 PRE Marwood; £1760, £1660, £1630, £1510, £1440, Northfield Farms; £1590, £1420, £1360, £1340, WA Richardson Ltd; £1560 C and M Burnett; £1430 M Shepherd; £1430 J and EM Lawson; £1400, £1390 WA Dinsdale and Son; £1390, £1350, £1310, LW Martin; £1370, Wilkinson and Son; £1330 (x6) A and R Thompson.

Cows and calves – £1620, £1120 P Dent.

Young bulls – £1500, £1475, £1460, £1455, £1435, £1420 (x2), £1415, £1415, £1405 (x3), £1400 (x2), £1395, £1390 (x3), £1380, £1375, £1370, WA Richardson Ltd; £1465, £1460, £1405, £1380 JJ Horn; £1440, £1415, £1375 WA Wardman Ltd; £1385 (x3) CG Robinson; £1380 (x2) E Parsons.

Store hoggs – £124, £116, JE Holliday and Son; £118, £114, £108, £101, £100 J Thompson and Sons; £106, £102, £101, MJ Hutchinson; £102, T and DI Allen and Son; £101 J Swale and MJ Milner; £97, BG Dale; £95 M Dawson.

Feeding ewes – £108, £97, £78 J Swale and MJ Milner; £68, £56 S Beeforth.