Dairy heifers to 3,300gns at Moira sale

Black and white heifers reached a ceiling of 3,300gns at Holstein NI’s November show and sale, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Following a steady trade which resulted in an 87% clearance, Taaffe Auctions reported that 20 heifers sold to average 1,942gns a head. “Milky heifers were in demand, and with animals ranging in price from 1,280gns to a top of 3,300gns we had something to suit everyone,” stressed auctioneer Michael Taaffe.

The sale leader was Relough Talent Danna 5 brought out by Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore near Dungannon, County Tyrone. Earlier in the day she caught the eye of pre-sale judge, John McCormick, Bangor, to secure the reserve championship award.

Bred from seven generations of VG and Ex dams from the Danna family, this heifer is a daughter of the Maughlin Storm son, Ladino Park Talent ET. Her dam was Relough Derby Danna ET (VG) which gave over 10,300 litres at 4.14%BF and 3.05%P in her fourth 305-day lactation. Two weeks calved and giving 30 litres daily she sold to a County Tyrone bidder.

Relough’s noted Danna family was also behind the breeding of the day’s overall champion, Ards Nokia F Danna consigned by Harry Patton, and sons Wilson and Wallace, from Newtownards, County Down. Sired by the Canyon Breeze Storm Atom son, Ards Nokia ET, she is bred from the VG87 Ards Freelance Danna which gave over 10,000 litres at 3.76%BF and 3.22%P in her third 305-day lactation. Four weeks calved and yielding 41 litres a day, this one sold for 2,100gns to a County Tyrone milk producer. The Relough herd sold six heifers at Moira to average 2,008gns each.

Judge John McCormick praised the vendors on the quality and presentation of the stock on offer at Moira. “The champion and reserve heifers complement one another very nicely. The champion is a well -balanced heifer with dairy strength and a fantastic udder. Her udder is high and wide at the rear and has good teat placement.

“The reserve champion is a sweet young heifer with a brilliant udder. She is full of promise for the future and should develop into a good dairy cow.”

An unshown heifer from Aubrey Patterson’s herd in Bangor came under the hammer at 2,550gns. Ballycrochan Wildman Ethel is a potential ninth generation VG/EX, and was sired by Ladys Manor Wildman. She is calved two weeks and is producing 33 litres a day.

Next best at 2,250gns was the unshown Kilvergan Damion Dorcas bred by Stephen Haffey, and sons Timothy, David and Aaron from Lurgan, County Armagh. Sired by the home-bred ERB Acres Damion son, Kilvergan Damion ET, she is out of Kilvergan Besne Dorcas VG88 which gave over 11,600 litres at 3.65%BF and 3.30%P in her second 305-day lactation. This potential fifth generation VG heifer sold to William Herron from Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.

Other leading prices included:

2,100gns – Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Mascol Dot to David Cummins, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn.

2,020gns – Robert Mulligan, Banbridge, Roundyhall Lyall 15 Blackrose to William Herron, Newtownhamilton; Leiza Montgomery, Newtownards, Chimera Revelation Bernice Red to Kenneth Totten, Glenavy.

1,950gns – Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Nokia L Ruth to Messrs Mackey, Dromore.

Results from the judging ring include:

Heifer, born prior to 30/05/09 – 1, and champion, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Nokia F Danna by Ards Nokia ET; 2, Leiza Montgomery, Newtownards, Chimera Revelation Bernice Red by Ards Revelation; 3, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Zenith Monogram by Ocean View Zenith ET.

Heifer, born between 01/06/09 and 08/09/09 – 1, and reserve champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Talent Danna 5 by Ladino Park Talent ET; 2, Graham Lyons, Beragh, Ernevale Turbo by Ernevale Turbocharge; 3, McKnight Bros, Banbridge, Cascum Lichfield Sheila by Hyland Lichfield.

Cow, any age – 1, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Revelation R Trish by Ards Revelation; 2, David and Alan Wallace, Antrim, Abercorn Calypso Shirley by Nor-bert Calypso.

(Taaffe Auctions)