Commercial Holsteins hit 4100gns in Somerset

A remarkable trade for strong, well bred commercial Holsteins ready to go away and milk met a flying trade yesterday, reports Derek Biss of Greenslade Taylor Hunt.

Topping the sale at a healthy 4100gns was a third calver by Dinnaton Field Day which gave 12,300kg in her second lactation and, having calved in March, was giving 49.2kg a day. A further four lots sold for more than 3000gns, with a June calved second calver making 3500gns having given more than 10,000kg in her heifer lactation.

In calf heifers sold to a top call of 1750gns for daughters of Aquila Patron Lucente and Fustead Emory Blitz.

Despite falling milk prices the trade was remarkable and probably the best commercial trade we’ve seen in this part of the country since 1993, said Mr Biss. “There is clearly a shortage of good quality heavy milking cows in the system and this has not been undermined by the influx of large numbers of imported heifers to the region.”

Averages; 261 cows £1376.22, two calved heifers £1863.75, 17 in-calf heifers £1689.88 (Greenslade Taylor Hunt).