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A wide range of quality embryos are now up for grabs in the "Best of the West" embryo sale.

The catalogue is available to view online at global cattle online with the sale runing until 21.00 GMT on Thursday 2 February.

The sale features 29 lots of embryos that will suit all budgets and includes a consignment of sixteen lots from Willsbro Holsteins. Willsbro remain at the cutting edge of Holstein Breeding and their consignment includes embryos by Lexor, Numero Uno and Epic from many of their very best cows.

Just one example is Lexor embryos from Riverdane PS Sara EX 93:

·         Lexor is one of the highest GLPI bulls in the breed

·         PS Sara EX93 is widely considered to be one of the best cows on the planet today

·         Her daughter by Million sold for 45,000 Guineas ($75,000 US)

·         A first pick by Palermo sold for 15,000 Guineas ($25,000 US)

Lancashire breeders David and Sheila Tomlinson and son James brought out the most tempting lot for the keen crowd of buyers gathered at Beeston Castle market in Cheshire for the Western Holstein Club's show and sale and walked away with the day's top price of 3800gns.

Bred in their herd at Bilsborrow near Preston, the calved heifer Bilsrow Alexander Shower is by Golden-Oaks Alexander and out of Bilsrow Shottle Shower that gave 13,959kg and 12,392kg in two of her first three lactations. The family traces back to Glen Drummond Shower through the heavy milking six lactation cow Bilsrow SR Shower that did three notes well over 12,000kg in her six calvings.

Trade was brisk throughout the sale although the 70 catalogued entries reflected the tight supply of dairy stock.

More Shottle breeding came good for Crewe herd owner Terry Goldstraw who earned 3500gns for his only entry Kingold Shottle Promise - a calved heifer with a sire stack including Carol Prelude Mtoto, Igniter and Celsius.

(Wright Manley)

Holstein Northern Ireland reported a steady trade at its January show and sale, with prices topping 3,250gns at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Taaffe Auctions oversaw the sale which resulted in a 94% clearance, with a total of 29 heifers going under the hammer to an average of 2,190gns a head.

The top price on the day - 3,250gns - was achieved by Ards Shottle Nell (pictured above) from Harry Patton and Sons, Newtonards, County Down.  This two-year-old heifer is by Picston Shottle and is bred from the EX classified Ards Champion Nell.  She was bought by a County Tyrone milk producer, having calved five weeks ago.

Other leading prices on the day included 2,820gns each for a pair of home-bred heifers from father-and-son duo Sam and John McCormick's Hilltara herd in Bangor, County Down.

First out of the two to enter the sales ring was the day's honourable mention award winner Hilltara Bolivia Simone.  This September 2009-born heifer is by Magor Bolivia Allen and out of GP84 (2yr) by Innwood Terrason.  She sold to a dairy producer based at Dromore, County Tyrone, having calved four weeks earlier and giving 42 litres a day.

The second to go under the hammer was Hilltara Bolivia Freda, also by Magor Bolivia Allen.  This one was snapped up by David McClurg, Crossgar, County Down. Born in September 2009, this one is out of VG87 (2yr) Hilltara Gibson Freda 2 which gave more than 9,000jg at 4.13% butterfat and 3.11% protein in her second 305-day lactation.

The overall champion on the day - an October 2009-born Hilltara Calypso Flo - sold for 2,720gns to a producer in Dromore, County Tyrone. This one is by Wil-Harte E Louie son, Nor-Bert Calypso TW, and out of VG89 Hilltara Jolly Flo.  She calved five weeks prior to the sale and is currently yielding 33 litres a day.

The first sale of the year started with a bang for the Border and Lakeland Holstein Show and Sale at Borderway, Carlisle, with cows and heifers averaging £2,230 and a top price of 3,300gns.

Buyers were impressed with the quality on offer - classy udders on wide powerful heifers came one after the other with some very impressive pedigrees to attract the top breeders, says auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington.

The top call went to the champion, Espland Pagewire Naomi consigned by D I and F M Cannon, Espland Hill, Appleby. She was a daughter of Braedale Pagewire from a twelve thousand kilo dam and went to to Messrs H Thompson of Springfield Farm, Egremont.

One of the more impressive pedigrees in the sale was consigned by Warnelview Holsteins. This one is a daughter of their Goldwyn son Warnelview Bingo and bred from an Excellent 94 Boulet Charles with over one ton of milk lifetime. In the first three generations of this pedigree no less than thirty three lactations were recorded. This top class heifer sold for 2,900gns and now joins the herd of Messrs H Thompson of Springfield Farm, Egremont.

R-E-W Buckeye sired the next highest price of 2,600gns, this time consigned by Skirwith Hall Farms, Penrith. Bred from a line of high component dams and displaying a marvellous udder she now joins the herd of Messrs N and S J Sanderson of Burtholme Farm, Lanercost.

Attracting interest from across the Irish Sea was a tall, stylish daughter of Wilcoxview Jasper consigned by Ruth Watson from the Lillyhall herd near Cockermouth. Her grand dam was the All Canadian Dreane Astre Inksou EX96, Lillyhall Jasper Inksou sold for 2,450gns and now joins the Printshop herd of Gaston and John Wallace, Templepatrick, N. Ireland.

The reserve champion Warnelview Loader Debby consigned by the Wilson family from Wood Farm, Carlisle then went for 2,400gns. This daughter of Cogent Loader was bred from two VG87 dams and went to Messrs W McWhirter and Co of Burnockstone Farm, Ayrshire.

Averages: 2 cows in milk; £1,365, 28 heifers in milk; £2,292.75 (Harrison and Hetherington)

The Western Holstein Club's opening Show and Sale for 2012 attracted a small entry of just 70 cows and milking heifers plus a couple of heifer calves of which a  high proportion of 18 were not forward on the day.

Judge for this sale was Andrew Ollier of Knutsford who selected his champion from the noted Dalebank Herd of David Rees Farms of Hunsterson, Nantwich; their Dalebank Anderson 34th is a daughter of Firth Bullion. In reserve was the Talent daughter Weeton Talent Tabatha consigned by Absolute Genetics of Kirkham, Preston.

Trade was good throughout the sale and although auctioneers Wright Manley noted that quality was not as good as they had seen in recent months there was plenty of bidding for all cattle and a total clearance was affected.

The top seller was Fordswood Damion Angel from Howard Walmsley of Garstang. This daughter of Erbacres Damion is bred from six generations of top classified dams and also has two VG sisters. She sold for the top price of 3,700gns to Steve and Olivia Sherratt of Stalybridge, Cheshire.

The next top seller was the second calf Kingold T‐Baxter Promise (VG86‐2yr) from Terry Goldstraw of Audlem who is dispersing his herd as they calve. This young cow is the sixth generation of cows classified in the top two grades and gave 9,700kg as a heifer and was sold giving 50kg a day for 3,000gns to join the Caeremlyn Herd of Henllan Farms of Whitland, Carmarthenshire.

Next in line was Bidlea Supersonic Fayne, a daughter of Styche Supersonic from Ray Brown and Partners of Holmes Chapel. This heifer whose four nearest dams are all scored Excellent or Very Good sold for 2,750 gns to Elwyn Thomas of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire for his Gatrog Herd.

Four heifers made 2,500gns each, the first two at this price were from the noted Woodmarsh Herd of M and J C Gould of Bomere Heath Shrewsbury. Woodmarsh Mag Blitx by Charpentier Magot was purchased by D E and M R Davies of Llanymynech and Woodmarsh Mag Melody 121st by the same sire was purchased by the Sherratts. The champion was also sold at this figure and was purchased by the judge. The other at this price was Bowlandview Missile Trudy sired by BB Toy Missile and was purchased by Messrs Davies of Llanymynech.

TOP PRICES:

Lot 32 J & J M Walmsley Fordswood Damion Angel ET S & O Sherratt, Cheshire 3,700gns

Lot 7 T W Goldstraw Kingold T‐Baxter PromiseVG86‐2yr) Henllan Farms Ltd, Whitland 3,000 gns

Lot 20 Ray Brown & Ptns Bidlea Supersonic Fayne Elwyn Thomas, Kidwelly 2,750 gns

Lot 22 M & J C Gould Woodmarsh Mag Blitz 48th DE & MR Davies, Llanymynech 2,500 gns

Lot 24 M & J C Gould Woodmarsh Mag Melody 121st S & O Sherratt, Cheshire 2,500 gns

Lot 35 David Rees Farms Dalebank Anderson 34th A Ollier, Knutsford 2,500 gns

Lot 45 J & I Garth Bowlandview Missile Trudy DE & MR Davies, Llanymynech 2,500 gns

Lot 28 H & V E Jolly Fieldside Ada 164th JA & MH Wright, Sandbach 2,450 gns

Lot 29 H & V E Jolly Fieldside Janet 3rd JA & MH Wright, Sandbach 2,400 gns

Lot 31 David Rees Farms Dalebank Inez 245th D E & M R Davies, Llanymynech 2,400 gns

Lot 34 G H Harrison & Sons Bassingthorpe Bla Elsie 21st D E & M R Davies, Llanymynech 2,400 gns

Lot 46 J & I Garth Bowlandview Loader Maggie I K P Jones, Denbigh 2,350 gns

AVERAGES:

4 Cows £2100.00; 48 Milking Heifers £2156.87; 52 HEAD £2,152.50.

(WRIGHT MANLEY)

The Dennison family from Ulverston, Cumbria made the top price of 15,000gns at Saturday's 25^th anniversary Black and White sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle when a first choice heifer from eight pregnancies by Gillette Windbrook and out of one of the world's top ranking Holstein cows - Denmire Goldwyn Marie 1021 - was claimed by Dutch buyers Koole and Liebregts.

And more cash stayed in Cumbria when Kendal-based David Wright and his parents Francis and Ann sold the maiden heifer Berryholme Jo Flo at 12,000gns. By Gillette Jordan and out of  the top show cow Berryholme Shottle Flo she was bought by Bunting and Son and D Yates.

Ponderosa Holsteins from Spain gave 9000gns for Northern Ireland breeders P and S Haffey's Glasson Aftershock G Glora out of the world number 1 PTAT cow Glasson JD Goldwyn Glora.

Averages: 73 lots £4215. (Harrison and Hetherington).

Ends

By Jeremy Hunt

Messrs Ropner's famous Dalesend Holstein herd was dispersed in front of massive crowd at Newton-le-Willows, near Leyburn, north Yorkshire. Over 100 buyers were recorded spanning 26 different counties from all over the UK. The Dalesend herd has been established for 60 years and has remained a major force in UK Holstein breeding.

Of the 300 lots there were 27 animals that made 3,000 guineas or more, but the top call came late in the day when 6,200gns was paid for a fabulous red calf by Fradon Jet Red, bred from the same family as Simon Davies' exciting show cow of the same name. She was snapped up by Albert Innes-Smith from Ponteland for his Movistar herd. Four telephone bidders provided a flurry of bidding, but as always there was only one winner!

Several cattle head for Wales as several discerning Welsh breeders bid keenly - sometimes against themselves! Among these was Peter Jones of the heavy milking Parcgwyn herd in Monmouthshire, who purchased seven cattle including the top priced cow Dalesend Talent echo EX-91 for 4,600gns.She was the only animal catalogued with a genomic test. Her GTPI was 1,824 but her 91 points and 50 litres a day were major factors in her appeal to buyers. Her Mr Sam calf at foot made 2,100gns to D.H Ryder of the Rypark herd near Otley.

Young stock were a flying trade with 52 heifer calves averaging £1,268 and selling to a top of 2,800 guineas for a Talent daughter from the famous Maude family. Tony Hack of the Santamaria herd in West Wales was the successful telephone bidder. Her dam travels to North Wales to join Messrs Jones' Puerto herd at 3,000gns.

An impressive group of 35 in-calf heifers averaged over £2,000 with a top price in the section of 3,200gns. This was for another Rosina, named Rosanna by Comestar Outside. She was carrying an embryo by Palermo out of Cogent Manat Scant EX-90 and was secured by Metcalfe Farms from Leyburn for their Washfold herd.

Maiden heifers sold well with Dalesend Drake Rena making  4,000 guineas to join Peter Miles and family's Littlebridge herd near Northallerton.

Tribute was made to Farms Manager Bernard Liddle, the immediate past President of Holstein UK, who with his family and expert team at Newton Grange had put a large dispersal sale together in great style in just six weeks.

Averages: 152 cows £2566; 35 served heifers £2082 and 62 maiden heifers £1518. (Norton and Brooksbank with Harrison and Hetherington).

A Picston Shottle son from the noted Inch herd of Jim Morrison, Downpatrick, won the supreme championship ribbons and sold for a top price of 4,000gns at Holstein NI's November show and sale, at Kilrea Mart.

The show and sale topper was the June 2010 born Inch Senior  with a PLI of +£127. His dam, Inch Vitus Joyce EX92 SP, produced almost 13,000kgs at 5.13%BF and 3.28%P in her third 305-day lactation.

The champion attracted a tussle of bids from the packed ringside audience and the successful bidder was John Huey from Armoy, County Antrim.

Second highest price of the day 3,400gns, was paid to David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill, for their reserve champion. The April 2010 born Killane Ferris (PLI +£42) was sired by Jenny Lou Mrshl Toystory PI ET. His dam is the Jocko Besne daughter, Killane Jocko Flora EX93-4 LP50 which produced an average of 8,906kgs at 4.12%BF and 3.31%P in six lactations. The successful bidder was Brian McAfee from Aghadowey, County Londonderry.

Following close behind at 3,300gns was the third prize winning Majestic Tarzen (PLI +£134) brought out by the father and son team of Ian and Kenny Watson, Macosquin, County Londonderry.  Sired by Leif, this September 2010 born entry is bred from ten generations of VG and EX dams from the Roxy family. His dam, Majestic Toystory Tonya VG86, produced almost 10,500kgs at 3.76%BF and 3.12%P in her second 305-day lactation.  The highest bidder on this lot was William Simpson from Cullybackey, County Antrim.

The June 2010 born Inch Gateway ET (PLI +£103) came under the hammer at 3,100gns for Jim Morrison. Sired by Blackisle Glen Albyn ET, he is bred from Inch Sem Daphne 2 ET VG87 (5yr) SP which gave over 10,200kgs at 5.65%BF and 3.42%P in her third 305-day lactation. Backed by three generations of VG and EX dams, he sold to Jim Smyth from Newry, County Down.

The third reserve champion Killane Sabre (PLI +£49) sold at 2,680gns for David and Austin Perry. Sired by Double Trouble Forbidden, his dam is the Cargin Del Clos PI daughter, Killane Dc Starlet 7PI VG88 (5yr) which gave over 10,800kgs at 4.23%BF and 3.16%P in her second 305-day lactation. Bred from six generations of VG and EX dams, he sold to William McBurney from Ballymena, County Antrim.

Averages: 18 bulls, £2,389 a head. (H A Mcllrath and Sons)

Holstein breeders made a bee-line for the Yorkshire Dales today for the dispersal of the Ropner family's renowned Dalesend herd. A capacity crowd competed all day for the 300 head of cattle on offer creating a trade that saw 27 lots at 3000gns and over. Top call was 6200gns from Ponteland, Newcastle buyer Albert Innes-Smith to secure the outstanding red heifer Dalesend Rosina Red - a July 2010-bred Fradon Jet Red daughter out of the Rubens cow Dalesend Red Rosina Ex-90. Auctioneers Norton and Brooksbank with Harrison and Hetherington say an average price of £1854 per life was achieved - but full report and detailed averages follow.

High genomic test figures were in demand at the Autumn Showcase Sale at the Bristol Sales Centre earlier in the month when Willsbro Niagra Pammy ET, with a GTPI of 2214 and an exceptional type prediction of 3.24 sold for 36,000gns

She was sired by Ri-Val-Re 2338 Niagra and out of a VG-87 2yr Baxter granddaughter of the famous Windy-Knoll-View Promis (Ex-95). One of a strong consignment from Wills Bros Ltd's noted Cornish herd, she attracted strong bidding, finally falling to the bid  from Kay Griffin, representing Seaspray Holsteins, new investors in the Holstein industry.

A freshly calved Holstein Frisiean heifer secured just shy of £2,000 at the November Craven Dairy Auction, at Skipton Auction Mart (Monday 7 November).

Taking the title of champion on the day, as well as the top price of £1,960, this newly calved Holstein Friesian heifer was put forward by Kilnsey Show chairman Robert Lambert, Mile House, Kettlewell, and his daughter Gina Hodgson.

This one was home-bred by a dairy bull from Brian Moorhouse, Bell Busk, and giving 24kg of milk, ten days after calving.  She goes to a new home with John Howard, Carleton.

Taking the title of reserve champion, was an in-calf heifer from father and son dairy farmers David and John Calvert, Southfield Farm, West Marton.  This one, by a pedigree Ayrshire bull, sold for £1,450 to another father and son dairying duo, Malcolm and Robert Swires, Haverah Park, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate.

Other leading prices on the day included a newly calven heifer from Robert Crisp, Calton. This one achieved £1,890.  While a newly calven heifer from Alan Midgley, Ludendenfoot secured £1,840.

Shining through in the non-black and white category, was a freshly calved Brown Swiss heifer from Nidderdale's David Brown, Ramsgill.  She sold for £1,800 to Robin Boothman, Fence, Burnley.

AVERAGES
Freshly calved heifers averaged £1,613; newly calven cows averaged £1,063 and in-calf heifers averaged £1,278.

Certainly nothing to disappoint on price at an average of £1,804 for 61 milking heifers and a top call of 3,000gns, but there wasn't quite the same buzz about the ring at last Friday's Western Holstein Club show and sale at Beeston Castle in Cheshire.

Auctioneer Clive Norbury admits he doesn't know why trade wasn't as lively as we've seen in recent months, but buyers were rather more cautious about spending. A smart heifer from the Mallinson family's Carrhall herd at Armathwaite, Carlise - but consigned by the Easthams from Samlesbury near Preston - topped the day at 3,000gns after taking the championship. She heads for Anglesey to join Harry Evans' herd. (Wright Manley).

The Holstein Northern Ireland autumn show and sale of pedigree bulls saw prices top 3,050gns at Ballymena Mart.

The top price was secured by Glasson Millionaire ET from father and son team, Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown, County Armagh. 

This May 2010 born bull is by England Ammon Million and out of 2010 RUAS Winter Fair champion Weeton Freeman L Balise PI SP EX93.  It was bought by W McNeilly from Tommebridge.

Other leading prices on the day included 2,900gns for the October 2010 born Relough Danther from Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, County Tyrone.  He sold to Messrs S Magee and Son, Larne. While another bull from the McLeans, Relough Rubic ET, sold for 2,800gns.

Average: 11 bulls at £2,150 (Auctioneers: J A McCelland and Sons)

Auctioneers Gwilym Richards and Norton and Brooksbank saw a highly successful sale at the Bristol October dairy sale earlier this week.

The top price of 2,250gns was secured by an early October calved heifer, Hollysprings Ricardo Dixie, from BB Farms of Abergavenny.  This one was snapped up by N Parker of Taunton, Somerset.

Other top prices on the day included 2,150gns for calved heifer, Marcroft Satire Valerie, from W J & P Puddy of Highbridge, Somerset.  This one went to B M Coombes & Sons of Wedmore, Somerset.  While the Puddy's red and white heifer Marcroft RR Lulu Red sold for 2,100gns to R J Davies, Gloucester.

Another leading price of 2,000gns was paid by A Alford, Abergavenny, for calved heifer Barvale Justice Rosabed 3 from B G & L D Rich, Gloucester.

In addition to these sales, a special entry of British Friesians was on offer including cattle from the Lakemead herd of Mrs Mary Mead, Blagdon, Somerest. 

This saw 11-month-old bull Lakemead Arrow sell for 1,500gns to R G Denning & Son, Truro, Cornwall.  While two served heifers, due to calve in March 2012, sold for 1,450gns and 1,400gns to F G & C Tucker, Wedmore, Somerest.

Averages on the day:

• Pedigree Holsteins - 25 calved heifers £1,836.66, 1 served heifer £1,701, 2 calves £378, 1 bull £1,029
• Pedigree British Friesians - 3 calved heifers £1,302, 12 served heifers £1,034.25, 28 maidens £720.75, 1 bull £1,575
• Non Pedigrees - 7 calved heifers £1,686, 7 served heifers £966