Recently in dairy trade Category

Kivells of Holsworthy saw a busy market with 1472 head of stock sold to a 100% clearance.

Top call of the day was £2000 for a pedigree Holstein heifer 'Lanwood June 2013' for Mr GCB Davis of Tiverton. Trade was on fire for the young stock with a smart run of dairy type yearling heifers from Berry Worth of West Down, Ilfracombe to £720 with a consignment average of £679. Trade in the dairy section was further strengthened by another superb cull cow trade with Messrs Chamberlain and Son in pole position at £996 with Messrs Martin of Wynfeild at £982 and Messrs Shadrick of Great Lakes at £978. Overall average stood at 121.6p/kg and £802.41.

Prime Cattle

Numbers were tight in the prime cattle pens pushing prices even higher with Mr J Britton at the top hitting £1,523 for the pick of OTM cattle. The best of the younger prime cattle saw Stan Hopper at £1368 with John & Will Prouse at £1364 and £1361. Premium was set at 189p/kg with a market average of 171.9p/kg and £1164.40.

Calves

90 Calves saw another immense trade with David Medland taking the top three prices with his wonderful line up of British Blues hitting £402 and his best trio averaging £391. Best heifer calves came in from Messrs FL Clark & Son at £342 with others at £300, £297 and £294. Overall average of all calves stood at £199.82.

Sheep

A superb entry of 1194 sheep sold to a superb trade with Mrs C Irwin of Kings Nympton at £137 with others at £119, John Heard at £115 and Messrs Balsdon at £111. A total of 413 ewes averaged £85.84 with six buyers present. The lamb trade also improved with a top call of £97 for lambs from James Melville of Trentworthy, Messrs George at £95.80 and Rod Evely at £94.80. Overall market average stood at 191.76p/kg and £86.49 with premium at 207p/kg for Ben Boundy of Bridgerule. Store lambs topped at £80 with 185 averaging £78.70.

Stores

Numbers were tight in the store cattle pens and were topped by a pair of Angus steers from Tony Lang of Parkham at £1155 with others at £1085. Overall average of all store cattle stood strong at £819.27.

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.

A smashing trade yesterday at Leek Cattle Market saw a top price of £2,180 and six to over £2,000 out of the 33 milkers forward.

Top call went to first time vendors Messrs Richardson of Audley for a tremendously stylish heifer by Painley Kayak, she was sold giving 30kg, realising £2,180 and went to Messrs Sherwin of Sproston. A second from the same home made £2,020 to the same purchaser.

A nice heifer by Durham Ross from Mark Jolliffe of Yarlet reached £2,100 she was sold giving 30kg and was purchased by Messrs Burton of Basford who also took a heifer from Messrs Brookes of Field at £2,080.

Cows peaked at £1,710 for a fourth calver from Henry Prince of Roston.

1st Quality Heifers to £2,180 average £2,008

2nd Quality Heifers to £1,680 average £1,579

2nd Quality Cows to £1,710 average £1,570

(Leek Auctions)

An entry of dairy cattle small on numbers but high on quality reflected by the overall average of £2052.86 at Bentham Auction Mart's weekly sale of Newly Calved Dairy Cattle last week. Plaudits for the day went to Peter and David Knowles of Cragg Farm, Kendal who made £2520 and £2300 respectively for their superb pedigree heifers. The 1st being 'Kendal Cragg Scooby-Duu Eve' giving seven gallons daily selling to Messrs W I Foster of Brampton, the 2nd being 'Drumtall Shotgun Sadie' giving six gallons daily selling to M E Wannop and Sons of Morecambe.

It's two out of two for North Yorkshire dairy farmers Raymond and Robert Johnson, after they secured their second Craven Dairy Auction championship of the year at Skipton Auction Mart's main January show.

The father and son duo, of Summerfield Farm, Felliscliffe, Harrogate, who also landed leading honours at the opening New Year dairy fixture earlier this month, struck again when their first prize newly calven Holstein Friesian heifer was crowned champion by judge Frank Wrathall, of Gisburn.

The Johnsons, who have now bagged a trio of Craven Auction titles in the past four months, bought their latest victor as a bulling heifer from a dairy farmer in Scarborough. Having calved nine days prior to the show and sold giving 28 litres, she joined ringside regular Wick Williams, of Nantwich Cheshire.

From a consignment of five newly calven heifers, the Johnsons also sold entries at £2,240 and £2,220, to an overall average of £2,014.

On a day of robust trade, half of the 14 newly calven milkers forward sold for £2,000 and more, with heifers averaging £2,016, compared to £1,747 at the January opener.

Top price of £2,380 was achieved by a heifer from Robert Crisp, of Nelson Farm, Calton, knocked down to John Howard, of Carleton, who also acquired the champion at the New Year opener. In addition, Mr Crisp presented the third prize heifer, sold at £2,160 to Shaun Sowray at Bishop Thornton.

Frederick Broadwith, of Low Barn Farm, Thornton Watlass Ripon, turned out the reserve champion, the first prize newly calven Holstein Friesian cow. She too originated from the east coast when bought as a calf at a dispersal sale in Whitby. Giving 34 litres, the pedigree runner-up also joined Mr Williams for £2,020.

The second prize newly calven heifer from Brian Moorhouse, of Hesper Farm, Bell Busk, made £2,200 when acquired by Stephen Britton, of Ripon.

Three in-calf heifers from Hellifield's Richard Barron peaked at £1,710, averaging £1,653.

Voyce Pullin auctioneers reported an exceptional trade when conducting the first on farm herd dispersal sale this year.

Fifteen cows sold in excess of £2,000 to a top of £2,541 (2,420gns) with cows being sold to Wales, the North, West, South West and locally.

Top call of £2,541 came early in the sale for a fresh 2nd calver by Overside Dictator. Early December calved and giving 30.4 kg, she joined the local herd of Messrs Merrett of Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. They also secured the fresh calved 36kg Far-o-La Devoted Cow for 2,000gns alongside the September calved Matty Icfyre Joanne, who out of a 9,800kg Etazon Celsius Cow was giving 35.6 kg and sold for 2,220gns back in calf to Altarush.

Freshly calved heifers sold to 2,150gns and 2,100gns to Messrs Carter and volume buyers Andrew Cozens and Messrs F Simcock secured a good number of cows for their herds.

AVERAGES: 85 Cows and Heifers in milk/calf, £1,559; 18 Aged/Unwarranted Cows, £639; 19 in calf Heifers, £1,368; 5 Served Heifers £792

Top Ten Prices

Stardale Minister Millie                    J Burrow & Son                   £2,500   to             Undisclosed Buyer

Arnot Freda 200                               R & J Whitlow                       £2,380   to             H Evans

Stardale Minardi Vaakje                  J Burrow & Son                   £2,350   to             J J Henderson & Son

Wyredale Principal Bettina 110     MJ & H Atkinson                  2,250   to             J J Henderson & Son

Saltoke Doris 157                            W & C Gorst & Sons           £2,200   to             E E Thornton & Sons

Stardale Planet Maude                    J Burrow & Son                   £2,180   to             Messrs Swinson

  Bilsrow Ramos Amise                  DJ & S Tomlinson               £2,120   to             J J Henderson & Son

Alandrew Millstar Queenie            G & AE Smith                         £2,120   to             H Evans

Brockafield Matson Tury                   A Robson                           £2,100    to             N & S J Sanderson

Fingan Buckeye Maggie                   Ballakillgan Farms              £2,080   to             Messrs Swinson

A good dairy trade was reported by Greenslade Taylor Hunt with a good number of quality cows and heifers on offer. Seven cows and heifers sold over £2,000, with trade topping £2,270 for a non pedigree heifer from John and Heather Snook, with others from the same venue at £2,000.

Frank Luff of Lympsham sold pedigree "Poynings" heifers to £2,120. Others sold to £2,100 and £2,050 for first time consignors Messrs R E and E A M Vooght and Son from Newton Abbot.

A good entry of eight heifers from Messrs R L and M E Trott sold to £2,010. £2,010 was also achieved by Messrs FG Summerhayes and Son. Second calvers sold to £1850 for Mr E Vickery. Pedigree Jersey heifer to £1070 for Messrs D & L Lewis.

In calf heifer to £1,590 for Messrs B G and RM Coombes and £1,380 and £1,350 for A M Davies, Totnes.

A Shottle son topped the Ballymena Holstein bull sale entry last week at 3,300gns. Fourteen lots changed hands to average £1,845 a head with the first bull in to the ring topping trade. This was Rossigh Shottle Minstrel, bred by Gerry O'Donnell who had made the trip from Killadeas in County Fermanagh.

This two-year-old entry was sired by Picston Shottle, and is bred from the VG87 (2yr) Croagh Susie Mist 33 which gave over 9,500kgs at 5.20%BF and 3.42%P in her second lactation.

Bidding was brisk for this eye-catching bull. The successful bidder was pedigree breeder Noel Muldrew from Castle Dillon in County Armagh.

Second highest price of the day 2,300gns was paid to Mervyn McGimpsey, Newtownards, for the August 2010 born Towerview Reliant ET. Sired by O-Bee Manfred Justice, his dam is Relough Shottle Raven ET PI GP83. This one was snapped up by James McVitty from Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh.

Two lots came under the hammer of auctioneer Jonathan Speers at 2,200gns each. First into the salering at 2,200gns was Ballycrochan Golden Shot brought out by Aubrey Patterson, and herdsman Raymond MCartney from Bangor, County Down. This April 2010 born bull was sired by Picston Shottle, and is out of the home-bred Ballycrochan Goldwyn Sara GP84 which gave over 10,000kgs at 4.27%BF and 3.88%P in her second 305-day lactation.

Also selling at 2,200gns was Moree Burns Megalite, a September 2010 born entry consigned by Bertie Kelso and Sons, Pomeroy, Dungannon. Sired by Dudoc Mr Burns, he is bred from the VG85 Moree Scarlet Meg, which produced over 9,900kgs at 4.58%BF and 3.25%P in her fourth 305-day lactation. Buyers were Messrs D and A Erwin from Ballymena, County Antrim.

Next best at 2,100gns was the September 2010 born Carnhill C Planet bred by Conor Casey, Cloughmills, County Antrim. This Ensenada Taboo Planet son is out of the home-bred Carnhill Leif Claire EX90, which gave over 10,500kgs at 4.45%BF and 3.59%P in her third 305-day lactation.

(by J A McClelland and Sons at Ballymena Livestock Market)

As normal marketing resumed after the New Year Chelford market reported strong entries in all sections.

Dairy

Fresh calved dairy heifers were well received by a packed ringside selling to £1850 for a Melody Daughter from Messrs Hudson, a more angular Topgun heifer made £1,700 from the same vendor.

A smart run of youngstock from Messrs Salmon sold to £450 for an eight month maiden with younger sorts to £350. Beef Cows and calves sold very well once again, to a top of £1,200 for a Simmental x Heifer with young calf. Lesser outfits sold generally about £1,000.

Stores

Store trade appears to be going from strength to strength with new buyers once again in attendance.

Top call, a 34 month Angus x at £1130 with several other forward steers breaking the 4 figure barrier.

Prices exceeded expectations in the majority of cases. Friesian Steers to £970 and a Steer average of £767.86.

Forward heifers were very scarce, with strong shapey sorts selling to £825 and £800 with a big lot of heifers selling past £. Holstein bulls with flesh on sold to £650. Younger sorts sold to £590.

(CHELFORD)  

Craven Cattle Marts experienced a record year in 2011 in terms of increases in both sales volumes and values - both good barometers of trade in the regional agricultural sector.

Livestock throughput in all sectors at Skipton Auction Mart sales throughout the year showed an increase on 2010, with some 270,000 prime, store and breeding sheep, and 20,000 prime, store and breeding cattle and calves sold last year.

Total numbers of store and breeding cattle sold in 2011 represented a 10.4% increase on the previous year. Cast cows were notably strong, with a 7.9% rise in numbers sold.

Sheep, too, performed well, with a 13.9% increase in sales numbers for prime lambs, hoggs and cast ewes. Store sheep sales were also up by 13.9% in numbers, with the number of breeding sheep sold up by 5.6%.

Commenting on 2011 trade Ted Ogden, CCM's farmstock sales manager and auctioneer, said: "Although we may have seen improved trading levels for livestock in 2011, recent figures published by EBLEX illustrate that this was the first time in many years that the 'retail price spread' - the percentage of the final retail price that the farmer receives - was above 50%.

"In previous years, the farmer had only received about 46-48% of the total retail price for beef and lamb paid by consumers. However, any perceived additional benefit that this may give to farmer producers and finishers is more than outweighed by many input costs - for example, the spiralling cost of feeds and fuel."

Despite a reduced entry of dairy cattle on New Years eve Greenslade Taylor Hunt reported a superb trade of 44 cattle through the ring with a packed ringside of potential purchasers.

The only downside was not having enough to satisfy the demand, reported auctioneers.

Best pedigree heifers sold to £2,010 for Messrs R F Tucker and Son, Glastonbury. Non pedigree heifers sold to £1,800 and £1,740 for Mr D Tottle, £1,780 and £1,730 for Nick Heywood, £1,750, £1,710 and £1,700 Mr R Reed, £1740 and £1720 for John Rymer of Dursley.

There were very few really strong calved heifers forward. But an excellent cow trade sold to £1,940 for John and Heather Snook, with £1440 achieved for Martin Rowe and £1440 for D Tottle.

A fine run of Pedigree 13-16m Holstein heifers from Mr J Harding of Olveston, Bristol saw seven heifers sell to £1,380, with others to £1200 x 2 and £1020 x 2 to average £1111.

(Greenslade Taylor Hunt)