Holstein bulls top 3,650gns at Moira

Pedigree Holstein bulls reached a ceiling of 3,650gns at the Northern Ireland club’s 28th annual autumn show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.
Following a 79% clearance auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirmed 22 bulls changed hands to average £2,333 a head.

Topping the sale at 3,650gns was Ards Lincoln GPLI £383, a seventeen-month-old Mr Welcome Hill Tango ET son consigned by Harry Patton and sons Wallace and Wilson, Newtownards. Bred from the VG86 2yr (USA) Brookview E Moviestar ET who gave over 11,870kgs at 4.60% butterfat and 3.40% protein in her first 305-day lactation he sold to Robert Rainey from Beragh, County Tyrone.

Next best at 3,250gns was Ards Lloyd PLI £372. Born in July 2014 he was sired by Coyne Farms Jabir, and is out of the Ex classified Ards Planet Sheena Lynn ET. This one caught the eye of Samuel McAuley from Donaghadee.

Following close behind at 3,200gns was Ards Radcliff PLI £326. This fourteen-month-old bull was sired by Co-op Bosside Massey ET, and is bred from Ards Planet M Ruth ET EX92-2E who gave over 12,000kgs at 4.30% butterfat and 3.54% protein in her third 305-day lactation. Highest bidder was Sean O’Brien from Poyntzpass.

Also commanding a bid of 3,200gns was the fourth prize winning Newry Mainman PLI £249, a Bertaiola Mincio ET son bred by Jim and Charlotte Stevenson, and son James, Kilkeel. His dam, Newry Manoman Barbie ET VG86 SP produced 10,698kgs at 5.59% butterfat and 3.57% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Bred from seven generations of VG and EX dams he sold to ME Kenwell from Fintona.

William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, realised 3,000gns for the fourth prize winner Ballycairn Galaxy Samson ET PLI £361. Born in September 2014, he was sired by De-Su Freddie Galaxy ET, and is bred from Ballycairn Garrett Sherese VG86 SP who averaged over 9,500kgs at 5.21% butterfat and 3.65% protein two 305-day lactations. He is bred from seven generations of VG and EX dams and sold to Cyril Maxwell from Augher.

Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, Donaghmore, exhibited a strong team of bulls with seven lots selling to average £2,302 per head.

Leading their line-up at 2,850gns was the first prize winning Relough Rastle PLI £366. This thirteen-month-old entry was sired by Mr Moviestar Mardi Gras ET, and is out of Relough Shottle Raven 4 ET EX92-4E LP80 who averaged over 12,000kgs at 4.15% butterfat and 3.15% protein in six 305-day lactations. Bred by five generations of EX dams he sold to Alan Liggett from Clogher.

Next best at 2,600gns was the third prize winning Majestic Massey Ardie PLI £313 brought out by Ian and Kenny Watson, Macosquin. Born in May 2014 this Co-op Bosside Massey ET son was bred from Majestic Earnit Annette ET VG-2yr – the number one GTPI Earnit daughter in Europe. He sold to John Shanks from Ballynahinch.

Ronald McLean and Sons led the PLI class with Relough Denman ET PLI £413 who sold for 1,950gns, and Relough Detonate PLI £414 sold for 2,500gns.