Recently in Ayrshires Category

Taking the Ayrshire championship was winner of the senior cow in milk, Middle Emerald Mr from D and C Sanderson Thackthwaite Hall, Wigton, Cumbria.

Shown by David Sanderson, this third calver is by Middle Mizzy Ranger and out of Middle Emerald Patrick . She had twins on 13 December and is currently giving 45litres/day.

This win follows a number of show successes including winning first dry cow at the Yorkshire Show.

In the Jersey Championship, the fourth calved cow, Ellerdine Easton Crystal 2 took the top spot. By Just A Few Jude Easton CJCC and out of Ellerdine Malcolm Crystal, judge John Dickinson praised her for her good quality and udder attachment.

From D P Manning and Co, Bank Farm, Minsterley and shown by Isabel Wright, this was Crystal's first time out. She was bought by the Mannings in 2008 and is part of their 20 cow Jersey herd.

In reserve was Bluegrass Jazzman Pams Panama from A H Wilson and Son, Tregibby Farm, Cardigan. This one is by Sunset Canyon Astronmer and out of Selbrigg Judes Ann.

This fourth calver was bought from the well known Bluegrass Herd in 2004. She calved nine months ago and gave 11,000 litres at 5.8 fat and 3.9 protein in her last lactation.

She was awarded Supreme Interbreed Champion at the Bath and West Show last year and reserve Interbreed Champion at the Dairy Show.

The Dairy Burke Trophy, the traditional pairs title awarded at previous Royal Shows, will for this year be judged at the new National All Breeds Dairy Show to be held at Stoneleigh in February and organised by Holstein UK.

With an initial one year licence in place for the trophy to be presented at the All Breeds Show the trophy will continue to recognise the best of British Dairying.

However, while this may seem to be the headline news from the press release issued by Holstein UK there detail buried further down is more interesting I believe.

In a statement welcoming the agreement RASE chairman Henry Cator says..."The arrangement is initially for one year as RASE has not yet finalised all its future event plans. However, both ourselves and Holstein UK, will monitor the event next February and a statement about the future of the competition will be made as soon after the National All Breeds Show as possible."

Now, you can read into those words what you will, but it does seem to suggest that if all goes well the Burke will remain at the All Breeds Show.

This in itself may not seem big news, but think back to last July and RASE's comments about planning a national livestock show for 2011. Is the Burke's move to the All Breeds Show the first nail in that coffin?

Well apparently not, according to RASE's Alice Bell. "We're looking at all the options for a livestock event next year and it may be that the new All Breeds Dairy Show is the best place for the Burke to be in future.

"The bottom line is that RASE has no livestock event this year and allowing the Burke Trophy to be presented at the All Breeds Dairy Show helps keep the competition alive," she added.

I'm yet to be convinced on RASE's plans for 2011, but until they put out any detail I'll my thoughts to myself and wait and see.

The National Holstein Show will open up its doors to other breeds for the first time next year as Holstein UK stages the first ever National All Breeds Show at Stoneleigh.

Holstein UK chief Greg Ward says he hopes the show will attract entries from all the major breeds. "If people are going to come to a show they expect to see a whole breadth of what's on offer. There will be a national championship for each breed, an interbreed championship and a strong emphasis on health, welfare and productivity."

The show will also feature Total Performance Awards which will be offered in each off the senior cow classes to recognise production, longevity, calving interval and cell counts," he added.

The National All Breeds Show will take place on 16 and 17 February 2010, more information can be found here

Jugding is back underway this afternoon and so far the junior classes have been completed with the junior Ayshire class going to Messrs Lawrie with Brieryside Trimova 25, a McCornick Nelson daughter. Second spot went to G and G Templeton with Knowe Silver Bell, a Blackaddar B B Kellogg daughter. Third were Messrs Davidson and Sons with Halmyre Urr Showgirl.

In the Holstein junior class top place was R and E Butterfield with Saxelby Goldwyn Rose, a Braedale Goldwyn daughter. Then in second was Huddlesford Mrs Melody from Huddlesford Holsteins and third was Berryholme Golwyn Maud from H Wright and Son.

Taking the Jersey junior honours was J E Badham with Barcapel Remake Mamie, a Roick Ella Remake daughter. Second in this line up was Robert Hunter with Clydevalley Centurion and third was Clydevalley Sultan Girl from the same home.

In the Red and White Holstein class the top spot was taken by Messrs Lawrie with Cheviotview Beckham Kitty Red. Second was Cuthill Towers Daisy Mae from A and S Lawrie and third was Hunday Bob Melanie from Rhins Red Holsteins.

More results from the senior cow classes to follow in due course along with the overall championship.....

Cattle judging has got underway here at AgriScot with the first two heifer classes already decided.

Taking the Ayrshire junior heifer class was John Adamson with Swaites Felecity 6, a West Spittal Regiment Red daughter.

Second here were the Templeton family with Knowe Irnola 9, a Cuthill Towers Prince Freddie daughter and third were Messrs Lawrie with Brieryside Anita 4, a Brieryside Pure Gold daughter.

Honours in the Holstein junior heifer award went to S L and P S Bell with Holmland Golden Oralie, a Braedale Goldwyn daughter. Taking the second place in this class was James Baillie with Dalserf Lou Dellia, a Jenny Lou Marshall daughter. Then in third were D J and S Tomlinson with Bilsrow Gibson Ada, a Silky Gibson daughter.

Judging is continuing throughout the day, so check back later for up to date results and photos....

Quality animals forward and a strong attendance of buyers saw prices top 6900gns at Beeston Castle Auction at the Annual Autumn Colours sale of Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Shorthorn and Jersey cattle.  

Taking the top spot was the 14 month old Ayrshire heifer, Haresfoot Century Bella, who was sold in a specialist section for high class individuals marketed under the name of 'Kaleidoscope of Colour'.

This one is a daughter of Brieryside Centurion and out of Haresfoot Bella 6^th an EX95-4E cow. Consigned by Duncan Hunter, Berkhampstead, Herts she was purchased in a joint deal by Andrew Gough, Shropshire and Blaise Tomlinson, Leics for 6900gns.    

Second in the money in this high class section was the seven month old Jersey calf, Grahmar Connection Virtue, forward by Graham Wallace, Goostrey, Cheshire. By Giprat Belle's Connection and out of an EX93-2E dam, this one sold to Northern Crusaders Syndicate, Yorkshire for 3600gns.

Then at 3000gns came another Ayrshire, the fresh calved heifer, Heydale Winsome 117^th from Peter Berresford, Buxton, who sold for 3000gns to Duncan Hunter.

Similar prices were also witnessed for all Ayrshire's in the Autumn Colours sale which included a 3000gns bid for a bull, Haresfoot Elmo, from Duncan Hunter. This son of Lagace Modem and out of the EX94-3E cow Haresfoot Ella 47^th, sold to Messrs Armstrong, Maryport, Cumbria. Ayrshire milkers sold to 2300gns, served heifers to 1220gns and maiden heifers to 1100gns.

Brown Swiss were in demand and sold to a top of 2250gns for a registered halfbred fresh heifer from Jack and Barclay Taylor, Myddle, Shrewsbury. She sold giving 28kg daily to D and H E Colclough and Sons, Hassall, Sandbach.

But, despite Jersey's having the largest entry of the day, trade was sluggish with prices only topping at 1950gns. This was for Shellen Senooir Xavier a two year old fresh calved daughter from Tom Savage and Sheila Fleming, Appleby, Cumbria to Mitchell Oldershaw, Derbyshire.  

Trade for the Barr Ayrshire herd dispersal is now leading at 7200gns. This sum was given for Barr Sandy Rose 48. This Morwick Sand Ranger daughter is out of Barr Sandy Rose 11 and calved on the 11th of October. She has a sound show record behind her and gave 7455 in her first.

Then at 7000gns were a brace, the first of which was Barr Ranger Lottie, a Horizon Ranger Red Hol daughter out of Barr Lottie 2. She calved in April and had given 6988 in 173 days of her fifth.

The other at this money was heifer Barr Brown Sugar 2. This Barr Apache daughter is out of Barr Raven and calved in September. She had given 546 in 21 days of her first.

And two sold at 6000gns, the first being Barr Butterfly 4. This one is also by Barr Apache and is out of Barr Retrospective and had given 2178 in 77 days of her first.

The second transaction at this level was for Barr Bright Scorpio, a July 2006-born heifer. She calved in May, is by Barr Victory Song and gave 4092 in 129 days of her first lactation.

Selling for 5200gns was Barr Warbler, a Crofthead Roayl Oak daughter. This one was sold dry with a strong show record behind her.

Making 4000gns was Barr Sandy Rose 37. This Horizon Ranger Red Hol daughter is out of Barr Sandy Rose 11 and gave 7337 in a 287 day third lactation. Also at this money was another Sandy Rose, Barr Sandy Rose 49. By Stevenson's Saltire she's out of Barr Sandy Rose 31 and calved her first in March.

More to follow....

Trade at today's dispersal of the Barr herd of Ayrshires, the oldest herd in the UK, has so far hit a top spot of 4500gns. This was given for Barr Tia Maria, a November 2002-born daughter of McCornick Nelson, out of Barr Patisserie, a Horizon Ranger Red Hol daughter. This 75% pure cow calved in July and was sold having been AI'd to Wroughton Lord Winston. She has currently given 3009 litres in 89 days of her fourth and is projected to give 7143.

At 3000gns was Barr Soho, a 50% pure cow born in November 2001 and by Horizon Ranger Red Hol. She's out of Barr Jazz, a Bargower Scotlands Pride daughter. She gave 9362 in her fourth lactation.

More news as we get it.......

The dispersal sale of the Meikle Laught herd owned by David Carson, saw two entries hit the a top price of 2100gns at Carlisle.

The first of which was Meikle Laught Tico 26, an Ayrshire milking heifer by Bankend Celebration. She calved in June and is out of a VG87 dam by Horizon Ranger milking in her twelfth lactation. She joins the herd at Holehouse Farms, Holehouse, Kilbirine.

The second at this money was Meikle Laught Kate 4 by Ellerton Special Blend and out of Meikle Laught Kate. Calved in July and giving 32kgs, she goes back to a VG89 grand dam from the Larberry herd. She joins the herd of G R Thomas, Tyreglwys Farm, Llaangennech, Llanelli.

Close behind were three entries selling for 2000gns, two of which were snapped up by Healey Farms, Healey Home Farm, Riding Mill. The first at this money was a commercial freshly calved Holstein heifer giving more than 30kgs.

And joining her was a daughter of Ellerton Special Blend, Meikle Laught Present 47. She calved in July and descends from the Present family, bred from an Excellent Horizon Ranger with yields more than 10,000kgs.

Also at this money was Meikle Laught Lass 20. She is by Brocklehill Hercules and out of Meikle Laught Mass 15 and goes to J G Waterhouse, Fourth Milestone Farm, Malton Road, York.

Meikle Laught Rilla 33 by Horizon Harry and out of Meikle Laught Rilla 21 sold for 1900gns. She went to D M Lindsay, Harperfield, Sandilands, Lanark.

Selling for the same money was Tannachie Benni 26. This one is by Covey-Farms Reno and out of Tannachie Benni 6. She joins Healey Farms who also paid 1850gns for Banked Celebration a La Saphiniere Cacylite daughter out of Meikle Laught Water Melon 33.

Averages:

2 bulls; £1207.50, 109 Ayrshire cows and heifers in milk/in-calf; £1206.63, 124 Holsteins ciws and heifers in milk/in-calf; £984.79, 26 in-calf heifers; £1415.48, 111 bulling heifers; £737.74, 31 heifer calves; £474.87. (Harrison and Hetherington)

Taking the interbreed group championship here at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show was the Holstein team, with the Jersey team in reserve.

Meanwhile, the exhibitor bred title also went to the Holsteins, with Joseph Heler Farms taking the honours with their cow, Helton Talent Clarisa. This on is a Ladino Park Talent daughter. Reserve was the Ayrshire from Blaise Tomlinson. This was Sandyford Clover 10 who also took the overall breed honours for Mr Tomlinson.

Ayrshires hit a top price of 2480gns at Carlisle yesterday with D and C Sanderson leading the trade with their freshly calved heifer Sanderson Mr Nelson Evergreen. She sold to the M W Wilson, Brolea, Lockerbie.

Then at 2050gns was another from the same vendors which sold to the same new home. This was another fresh calved heifer and by Sanderson Extra Special.

Next best was a 1700gns call for the reserve champion from the pre-sale show Langside Amethyst 6 from a Gray, Langside. This one by Langside Best Mate sold to T A and E Jackson, Dumfries.

Also at this money was the best of a strong run from M J Partignton, Bolton. This was a Hulton Park Valerie 4 by Brieryside Winning Hand. She sold to M J Wilson, Uldale, Wigton.

Averages; 1 cow £1305.33, 10 heifers in milk £1672.65 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Despite the contiuing wet weather here at the Royal Welsh all the dairy breed classes have been completed this morning ahead of the interbreed tomorrow.

Taking the Holstein championship were Almond Holsteins, Dumfries, with their cow Herdstown Rachel. This one, an October 1998-born entry is by Parker Aero Wode and out of Herdstown Rachel 341, she was bred by Herdstown Holsteins.

Standing reserve was perenial Royal Welsh winners the Wilson family with their cow Tregibby T G Lynda. She is a March 2005-born daughter of homebred sire Tregibby Gibson and is out of Tregibby Progress Lynda.

Lifting the Ayrshire title were P and S Williams with their cow Heydale Ginny 90. This one, bred by D W Berrisford is a September 2005-born daughter of Rosehill Blackthorn and is out of Heydale Ginny 86. Reserve were H W Outram and Co with their cow Stamford Princess 19. She's by McCornick Nelson and out of Stamford Princess 13.

Jersey champion was Clandeboye Jazzman Mabel from the Wilson family. This one was bred in Northern Ireland by the Clandeboye Estate and is by Rapid Bay Jazzman and out of Clandeboye L S Mabel. Taking reserve honours were the Murray family with their cow Whiteoaks Julian Flower. She's an October 2003-born daughter of Valleystream Julian out of Watchbury Centurians Flower.

In the Dairy Shorthorn lines the championship was taken by Ian Harries with his third calver MarleyCote Win Jill 6. She's by Winbrook Chesterton and out of Marleycote Win Jill 5. She was bred by G G Baynes and Son.

Reserve here were S V B and E A Thomas with their cow Drisgol Tulip 31. This one is by Amber Izaak 3 and out of Drsigol Tulip 23.

The Ayrshire championship here at Harrogate this morning has gone to the senior cow class winner Sanderson Buntie 6 from D and C Sanderson. This August 2004-born cow is by ST BVQ Rubens ET.

Reserve was the second place cow from the class Cherrytree Orange Blossom from Messrs Bruce and Partners. She was born in June 1998 and is by Horizon Ranger.

Interbreed dairy honours here at Stoneleigh today have gone to the Ayrsire leader from Blaze Tomlinson. This one was Sandyford Clover 10. This highly regarded fifth calver is by K C Roses Chatter T Red and out of homebred dam Sandyford Clover 7. One of 200 Ayrshires run by the Tomlinson family, this one gave 13,600 in her fourth lactation at 4.4% butterfat and 3.6% protein and is currently giving 52 litres a day and is projected to give 14,000 litres in her fifth lactation. She was interbreed champion at last year's Great Yorkshire Show and the South West Dairy Show.

Reserve was the Holstein champion from Mark Nutsford, Riverdane. Hendomen Arelene 20 is a May 2004-born daughter of Comestar Outside. This third calver, owned in partnership with Michael Roberts' Nobold herd, gave 12,230 litres in her second lactation and is giving 55 litres a day at present. Arelene 20 was bred by F G Windsor and Sons and having been bought privately she has been flushed to Goldwyn, producing nine A grade embryos which have resulted in eight pregnancies.

Ayrshire champion was Sandyford Clover 10 from Blaze Tomlinson, Loughborough. This highly regarded fifth calver is by K C Roses Chatter T Red and out of homebred dam Sandyford Clover 7. One of 200 Ayrshires run by the Tomlinson family, this one gave 13,600 in her fourth lactation at 4.4% butterfat and 3.6% protein and is currently giving 52 litres a day and is projected to give 14,000 litres in her fifth lactation. She was interbreed champion at last year's Royal Yorkshire Show and the South West Dairy Show.

Coming through to take the top spot in the dairy interbreed class was the Holstein leader Airfield James Miss America from R Patterson, Thetford. This November 2004 born is by Shoremar James.

Standing was the Ayrshire champion Middle Oranje Neuky from Pearn Wyatt and son, Snetterton. This one is born in March 2005 and is by Middle JJ Sublime.

The dairy classes have been going at full steam here this morning with championships awarded in all four breeds on show.

Taking the Jersey championship was Robert Hunter with his June 2004-born third calver Clydevalley Julian Flora. She is by Valleystream Julian. Reserve here was October 2002-born Wellhead Rocket Boo from J and I Wilson. This one, classified Ex95 is by Wellhead Remake Rocket and was bred by Ken Timbury.

Dairy Shorthorn champion was Adam Lawson with Lisnamulligan Princess Anne 2, a November 2005-born third calver. She is by Kayl MP Spellbound.

Taking reserve spot in these was W H and K M Robinson's in-calf cow Strickley Annabella 117. She is by Winbrook Diamond.

Lifting the Holstein championship was Alister Laird with Almondene Whitney. She is a November 2004-born daughter of Oseeana Astronomical.

Holstein, Jersey and Ayrshire cows and heifers all came under the hammer at yesterday's pedigree dairy sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Among the Jersey and Ayrshires, Robert Hunter's Jersey heifer, Clydevalle Sultans Twinkle 7, by SHF Centurion Sultan, sold for the top price of 2600gns. She is out of the EX92, Grahamr Sambo Twinkle and has three full sisters, all VG heifers. She sold to Messrs Watson and Son, Wigton.

Two Ayrshire heifers sold for 2400gns. The first of which was Cuthill Towers Radar Ray 6, from A and S Lawrie's noted Cuthill Towers herd. She was sired by Hilltower Stanley Red and went to E H Fearon, Grange Over Sands.

Also at this price was Halmyre Urr Ladybird 394, a fresh heifer from the well bred Halmyre herd of the Davidson family, Haugh-of-Urr. She was by Arron Doon West Port Chip Red and from Halmtre Urr Ladybird 344.

The pre-sale show reserve champion in the Holsteins, Morwick Talent Pinta, went for 2300gns to N and S J Sanderson, Lanercost. She is a Ladino Park Talent daughter out of Morwick Rubens Pinta.

H M and D Hodgson's Wormanby Zenith Blackcap, sold for 2250gns to ID Houston Farming, Dalbeattie. The same buyer also purchased Lavenham Breeze 205 for 2200gns from joint owners W M Hutchinson and Son and D Reynolds, Lancashire.

Morwick Talent Mitzy Red, also went for 2200gns to A Carlyle, Longtown. She was by Ladino Park Talent and from Morwick Sand Mitzy Red.

Averages:

Holstein: 2 cows in milk; £1512, 20 heifers in milk; £2062.20

Jersey: 1 cow; £546, 3 heifers in milk; £1799, 1 in calf heifer; £1417.50

Ayrshire; 4 cows in milk; £1753.550, 10 heifers in milk; £2106.30

(Harrison and Hetherington)

Records were smashed at Tuesday's final dispersal sale of the Attwell herd of Ayrshires at Beeston Castle when one of vendor Andrew Gough's favourite cows, Attwell Spottie 13, was sold for a new breed record of 11,000gns.

A much admired cow by ringsiders Spottie 13 is by Bankend Brown Bomber which Mr Gough rates as one of the best bulls he's ever used and out of Attwell Spottie 6. Having given 8148 litres in her second lactation Spottie 13 sold dry and due to calve again in May to Blaise Tomlinson for his Sandyfoprd herd at Nanpantan, Leicester.

And another record was broken later in the day when in-calf heifer Attwell Amanda 7, a McCornick Nelson daughter which goes bacl to two Ex classified cows sold for 6200gns, the highest price ever recorded for an in-calf Ayrshire heifer. Due in August this one was snapped up by Philip Williams, Haverfordwest.

Next best call was a 4200gns bid for another from the Spottie family, Attwell Spottie 20. An August 2007-born daughter of Spottie 13, this maiden heifer is by Green Lane World First and sold to Pam and Dawn Coryn, Cornwall.

Then at 3800gns Mr Williams was back in spending mood securing another of the family, Attwell Spottie 17. By Brieryside High Profile and out of the same dam at Spottie 13, this fresh calved heifer gave 44.3kg at her first milk recording. And at 2750gns another McCornick Nelson daughter, Attwell Lady Marina 2 sold to Stephen Oultram, Ewloe, Deeside. She is due with her thrid calf in April had given 3842 in 177 days of her second lacation.

Averages: 124 cows and milking heifers £1775.43, 22 in-calf heifers £1653.75, 84 maiden heifers £876.13 (Wright Manley).

After a long day's trading at Carlisle yesterday here are a few more high prices from the Knockenjig Ayrshire dispersal.

Selling at 3500gns was Knockenjig Tilda 13 a Meikle Laught Triple Crown daughter out of 9000+litre dam Knockenjig Tilda 6.

Then at 1900gns Knockenjig Ice Cream 23 sold with a back pedigree including dam Knockenjig Ice Cream 12 who has given more than 9000 litres twice before.

And at 1800gns was Knockenjig Tilda 16 a Mark Samsson daughter.