Holstein bulls tops 6,000gns at Moira
Bulls with good conformation and high components were in strong demand at Holstein NI’s 22nd annual spring show and sale, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.
Prices soared to a top of 6,000gns and 5,600gns, and following an almost complete clearance Taaffe Auctions reported that 28 bulls changed hands to level at 2,866gns per head – an increase of 430gns on the same period last year when 25 lots averaged 2,436gns each.
Attracting the day’s top price of 6,000gns was the Milk Quality Award winner Relough Amethyst ET (PLI £207) brought out by Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
This fourteen-month-old entry was sired by the O-Bee Manfred Justice son, Morningview Legend ET, and is bred from five generations of EX dams. His dam is Relough Shottle Amy who gave over 12,000kgs at 4.83%BF and 3.15%P in her second 305-day lactation.
This bull is a full brother to Relough Amazon ET and Relough Agent ET – sold privately to a German AI stud. Earlier in the day he caught the eye of judge Trevor Lochart to secure the honourable mention ribbons. Bidding was brisk for this eye catching young bull with auctioneer Michael Taaffe taking the securing bid from Trevor McKinney, Maghera, County Londonderry.
Following close behind at 5,600gns was the second prize winning Ards Soloman ET (PLI £86) consigned by Harry Patton, and sons Wallace and Wilson, from Newtownards, County Down.
Also born in November 2010 he is by the Comestar Stormatic son, Golden Oaks Alexander, while is dam is the noted Ridgefield Sara Rampage Red ET (VG89 3yr) – champion heifer in Holstein NI Herds Inspection Competition in 2009, and reserve supreme champion at Balmoral Show in 2009. The dam produced almost 13,000kgs at 3.93%BF and 3.28%P in her second 305-day lactation, and her daughters have sold to a top of 6,600gns, realised by Ards Baxter Sara ET at the Causeway Classic in 2009. Backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams this bull was snapped up by Mr G Gilmore from Portaferry, County Down.
The Patton family also sold a December 2010 born England Ammon Million ET son bred from Ridgefield Sara Rampage Red ET. The third prize winning Ards Soloman (PLI £103) sold for 3,900gns to Mr C Caldwell from Castlederg, County Tyrone. Five lots from the Ards herd sold to average 3,520gns per head.
Two lots came under the hammer at 4,800gns. First into the salering at 4,800gns was the November 2010 born Relough Glorious (PLI £124) which sold to David Hadden from Mountnorris, County Armagh. This third prize winner was also sired by Morningview Legend ET, and is bred from the VG86 Relough Toystory Gloriette ET which produced over 9,500kgs at 4.21%BF and 3.22%P in her second 305-day lactation. He is backed by eight generations of VG and EX dams.
Castletru Reginald Red (PLI £108) attracted a bid of 4,800gns for Jim and Mark Truesdale from Newcastle, County Down. This thirteen-month-old entry was sired by Aggravation Lawn Boy P-Red, and is bred from Inch September Roxy 2 ET (VG88) which produced over 10,900kgs at 4.83%BF and 3.11%P in her second 305-day lactation. Backed by eight generations of VG and EX dams, he sold to Dessie and Jonathan Moore from Fintona, County Tyrone.
Judge Trevor Lockhart who runs the 150-cow Ballyelly herd based at Ramelton in County Donegal awarded the supreme championship to Prehen Inspire ET (PLI £111). Bred by Robert and Stuart Smith, Londonderry, this bull is backed by 12 generations of VG and EX cows averaging 90 points. His sire is the Braedale Goldwyn son, Comestar Lauthority, while his dam is Prehen Allen Ivory EX who gave over 9,300kgs at 4.37%BF and 3.27%P in her third 305-day lactation. The champion was snapped up at 4,050gns by John Armstrong from Dromore, County Tyrone.
Next best at 3,800gns was the first prize winning Relough Davinci ET (PLI £175). This November 2010 born bull was sired by Macomber O-Man Bogart, and is bred from seven generations of VG and EX dams. His dam Relough Dante Danna 3 (EX95 3E) (EX95 MS) LP50 was supreme champion at the Irish National Holstein Show in 2006, and produced over 13,800kgs at 4.77%BF and 3.22%P in her fourth 305-day lactation. Buyer was Lyle Bryson from Dunadry, County Antrim. Eight bulls from the Relough herd sold to average 3,437.5 per head.
The reserve championship went to Ards Rochester, a December 2010 born Sandy Valley Bolton son from Messrs Patton. Backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams, he is bred from Ards Lheros P Ruth ET. Highest bidder at 3,000gns was Mr W Armstrong from Crossgar, County Down.
Other leading prices include:
3,200gns – Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Emperor ET (PLI £138) to Cormac Cunningham, Strathroy, Omagh, County Tyrone.
3,100gns – T J Morrison and Sons, Downpatrick, Inch Niagra (PLI £99)to Derek Allen, Cookstown, County Tyrone; Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Remembrance (PLI £131) to S McAuley, Donaghadee, County Down.
(Taaffe Auctions)