Western Holstein event ends year on a high note
Dairy farmers ended the year on a high note at the Western Holstein Club’s fixture at Beeston Castle in Cheshire, where a flying trade pushed averages for calved heifers to 1256.
The sale saw another eye-catcher from Shropshire vendors Mike and Jean Gould’s Woodmarsh herd finish on top at 2800gns.
Auctioneer Clive Norbury said: “It was a flying trade and a great way to end the year.
I think these four-figure levels will be sustained, as dairy farmers who stay in the job continue to push for more milk.”
An undisclosed Scottish bidder snapped up the Gould’s Woodmarsh Integrity Rebecca 30th, who stood champion under judge Steve Hill of the Hydaways herd.
This freshly calved heifer, showing impressive production figures deep into her pedigree, is out of a three-times 12,000kg-plus dam by Delta Lava.
Shropshire breeder Brian Whitfield took the reserve title with the freshly calved heifer Aldingham Tammy 3rd.
By Roylane Jordan and out of a 14,222kg dam by Joylan Fatal Charmer, she goes back to Quality S B Tamie.
Buyer at 2400gns was Peter Andrews of the Ruckhall herd in Herefordshire.
Top price for the consignment from Smiddiehill Holsteins, Wolverhampton, was 1450gns paid by R Evans & Son, Anglesey. Smiddiehill Stormatic Mavis is out of a Summershade Igniter daughter.
The day’s volume buyers were Weaver Farms from Stone, Staffs, who took 18 head paying most for Smiddiehill Kendall Elev at 1420gns.
They also paid the day’s highest price in the cow section giving 1280gns for an Aeroline daughter from H Lomas & Son, Macclesfield.
Averages: 19 cows 1003 and 55 heifers 1256. (Wright Manley)