Burlane heifer tops at 8000gns

The top price of 8000gns at the Western Holstein Club’s show and sale at Beeston Castle reflected the calibre of cattle put through the ring at this regular event but while the day included no shortage of bids over £2000, there was less of a “buzz” among the buyers and it left the average about £300 down on the previous month.

This “blip” in a dairy trade more used to being in overdrive isn’t being regarded as ominous, but clearly reflects an underlying uneasiness. Auctioneer Clive Norbury was objective about the trade: “The milk price is still an issue with producers and spring grass is tight on a lot of farms. Demand around the ring wasn’t just as lively.”

There was certainly plenty of milk behind the top priced heifer Burlane Talent Roy Tracy from T and C Powell’s herd at Shrewsbury. This Talent daughter had found favour with judge Tecwyn Davies of Henllan Farms, Whitland who stood her first in the senior heifer class and went on to buy her at 8000gns.

She is out of a Jordan dam that gave 12,438 as a heifer and followed that with yields of 14,100kg and 14,700kg. This cow was sold at the Burlane dispersal in 2005 for 6500gns and has since been contracted by Semex Canada.

Stalwart supporter Ray Brown from Holmes Chapel went home with 3100gns from the sale of Bidlea Scooby Tagasling. From seven generations of VG and Ex cows, she’s from this herd’s noted Tagasling family. Her dam, by Knowlesmere Papoose Integrity, peaked at 11,800kg from her first three notes and her grand-dam achieved eight lactations reaching a best of 13,943kg. The Scooby heifer also goes to south Wales with Tecwyn Davies.

Ryisle Pledge Margaret 135^th from the Isles family at Greenhalgh near Preston took the championship for this Lancashire-based herd and realised 2700gns to make it a trio of purchases for the judge. By Windy-Knoll-View Power and out of a Miley Gilbert dam, she has a sire stack that includes Aeroline and F and G Acres Mr Moon.

More good fortune came the way of Ray Brown with a 2300gns call from H Tinker and Son, Warrington to secure Bidlea Scooby Duu Beauty (note spelling). She is out of a cow from the Beauty family that was sired by the home-bred bull Bidlea Joey 2^nd.

Best for the Hully herd from Whitchurch, Shropshire was 2300gns given for Hully Dancer Roxy 39^th consigned by C Barnett. She goes back to the Dalesend Roxy family through her Prelude-sired third dam. Buyers were J Brooks and Partners, Wettenhall, Winsford, Cheshire.

Averages: four cows £1651 and 74 heifers £2013.

(Wright Manley)