Fierce bidding forces dairy prices to 6300gns at Beeston

A fierce bidding battle to secure some of the best dairy genetics on offer at this month’s Western Holstein Club’s monthly show and sale forced prices to top 6300gns. Although trade was fast with plenty of potential buyers on the day as well as bidders by telephone wishing to secure top lots, trade for second quality sorts was harder to clear.

But many of the day’s chief prices were reserved for the dispersal sale of the Forte Herd from the Nottage family, Norfolk, with the red and white heifer Forte PSC Renita Red leading the way. This daughter of Poos Stadel Classic and bred from six generations of VG/EX dams from the renowned Stelbro Renita Ranger family was finally knocked down to Albert Innes-Smith, Ponteland, Northumberland after beating off four other bidders before securing his purchase.

Members of the Elegance family were also keenly sought after demanding the next highest prices of 4300gns and 4000gns. Higher of the two was the April 2009 heifer Forte E Damion Elegance by Erbacres Damion and out of Forte Shottle Elegance 2nd, a Picston Shottle daughter. She was secured by Peter Waring for his Winton Herd, Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Sharing the same grand dam- Forte CS Elegance, but at 300gns less was the February 2009 Mr Sam daughter, Forte Sam Elegance who sold to Peter Royle of the Bolshaw Herd, Coventry.

Several lots then went under the hammer at 3000gns, the first another from the Forte dispersal. This was the January 2009 Forte Blitz Rhapsody by Fustead Emory Blitz and out of Clayden Astre Rhapsody and is bred from 11 generations of Excellent dams. This was another purchase made by top priced bidder Mr Innes-Smith.

At the same money but top price in the milking section was the champion female Fornside Distrigene Monogram Red 2nd – a daughter of Carrousel Distrigene Red and bred from the renowned Avondale Monogram family. Consigned by Enchanted Holsteins and having calved in May she was purchased by Martin Lowry for his Halen Herd, Carmarthenshire.

At 2600gns was another from the Forte dispersal the in-calf heifer Forte RR Renita. This Mr Regancrest Roy Racer daughter is bred from six generations of VG/EX classified cows and was purchased by Ledgers Farms, Kent.

It was the turn of Mr Lowry again who went on to purchase several more lots including the next top lot at 2450gns, a January 2008 born Alfrag Juror Kendall daughter, Gerrard Kendall Princess 50th from G and A E Smith and Son. He also purchased from the same vendors the reserve champion, Gerrard Champion Jewel 124th for 2350gns. Then at 2400gns he secured Fornside Shottle Fancy, a Picston Shottle daughter from Enchanted Holsteins.

A consignment form the Sanders Farms of the Isle of Man saw their heifers top at 2400gns for Sandisfarne Lelia Blackberry, by the homebred Manat son, Sandisfarne Brilliance. She sold to F H Cookson and Sons, Agden, Altrincham.

A flurry of bids at 2350gns saw Chelton Counsellor Meg 3rd from H Lomas and Son head home with J W C George and Sons, Pembroke. They also purchased Sandisfarne Levana Olive from Sanders Farms. D E and M R Davies, Llanymynech were next to secure at the same money Oakshore Bolton J Arabian from R M and R A Shepherd.

At 2250gms was Lachstone Ingot Platt from John and Jeremy Platt. Due to calve shortly she sold to B K Adkin and Son, Leicester. Just 50gns short of this price was another Forte lot, the April 2009 born Forte Damion Winnie. Bred from 10 generations of VG/EX dams and out of Regancrest Elton Durham, she sold to K Marshall, Carmarthen.

Averages 6 cows £1184.75; 52 milking heifers £1934.42; 15 served heifers £1771; 19 maiden heifers £1705.42; 92 head £1811.59 (Wright Manley)