This week’s final dispersal of the Painley Holstein herd ended an era of accomplished breeding that has had a significant influence on the UK’s black and white genetics. So it was no surprise to see bidding reach a top of 10,000gns and the herd’s 100 cows and calved heifers level at £2257.
John and Valerie Barlow have long been stalwart supporters of the breed and consistently produced a steady stream of top-ranking cattle from their home at Church Minshull, Nantwich, Cheshire.
Brought out in tremendous form by the indomitable herd management partnership of David Hastings and his son David, the Painley cattle attracted a capacity crowd but it was a cow bought from the Burrow family’s Stardale herd in Lancashire that proved the most tempting.
Stardale Jed Roxy – a second calver with a best of 11,721kg – is by Jed and out of the 13,761kg Stardale Leader Roxy. She was bought at the Stardale dispersal for 12,000gns and despite fuelling sustained bidding from the ringside it was a phone bid from Cornwall-based Wills brothers that finally snapped her up at 10,000gns.
Earlier in the sale they paid 9000gns for the fresh second calver Painley Kensington Lana 40th. She is by Painley Kensington – a Jabot son from the noted 10,000gns cow Primsland Inspiration Kimo – and had given 12,245kg as a heifer.
The ET-bred bull calf Painley Roland – an October 2007-bred Shottle son out of the sale’s top priced Stardale cow – made 3500gns to Betholt Ltd, Staffordshire.
Staying in the region to join Brian and Elenora Whitfield’s Alderbarrow herd was Painley Journalist Baby 10th. By Bosside Ruben this VG-88 second calver (PLI+£94) gave 9,1117kg as a heifer and realised 4300gns. There were 14 bids over 3000gns.
Averages: 100 cows and calved heifers £2257; 29 served heifers £2080; 54 recently served and maiden heifers £1430 and eight bulls £1299. (Norton and Brooksbank with Wright Manley).