Holstein bulls in high demand at Moira
Northern Ireland’s Holstein bull show and sale met buoyant trade at Moira, where trade peaked at 8,700gns for supreme champion Ballycrochan Aramis Red ET from Clare Patterson, Bangor, County Down.
The 16-month-old bull with a PLI of £191, is sired by the Scientific Destry son, Lookout P Redburst ET, and out of world renowned KHW Regiment Apple Red EX96 3E USA.
His dam has a string of accolades to her credit, including Holstein International World champion red and white Cow 2010, champion red and white World Dairy Expo 2011, All American red and white aged cow 2011, reserve champion red and white World Dairy Expo 2013, and Red Impact Cow of the Year 2013.
Backed by seven straight generations of EX dams with high components, the highest bid came from ME Kenwell, Fintona, County Tyrone.
Next at 5,000gns was the McLean family’s PLI award winner Relough Ardour PLI £451 from Donaghmore, County Tyrone. Sired by Co-op Bosside Massey ET, and is out of Relough Iota May VG87 2yr SP – the number two genomic PLI cow in the UK. She produced 8,780kgs at 5.17% butterfat and 3.36% protein in her first 305-day lactation. Backed by eight generations of VG and EX dams, he sold to R Elliott, Downpatrick, County Down.
Supreme champion and sale leader at 8,700gns was Ballycrochan ET shown by Denis O’Neill, and owned by Clare Patterson, Bangor. Included are judge Paul Flanagan, County Louth; and sponsor Stephen McKenna, Gortavoy Feeds. Picture Julie Hazelton
In second place was Relough Grenadier PLI £421, another from the McLean family. Sired by Genervations Latimer ET, and bred from the GP83 2yr Relough Beacon Gloriette who gave almost 9,900kgs at 4.30% butterfat and 3.11% protein in her heifer lactation, he sold to Sean O’Brien, Poyntzpass, County Armagh, for 4,550gns.
A third bull from the McLean’s realised 4,450gns and took the reserve PLI prize. Relough Alligator PLI £425 is by the Mascol son, Co-op Bosside Massey ET, and out of Relough Goldwyn Amy 4 EX SP, he is bred from six generations of EX dams. His dam averaged 11,267Kgs at 4.71% butterfat and 3.35% protein in three 305-day lactations. This one joins John Hamilton, Bangor, County Down.
Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, had a great day with nine bulls from their noted Relough herd selling to average £3,208 a head.
Honourable mention award winner Glasson Focus ET PLI £154 came under the hammer at 4,350gns for Philip Haffey, and son Simon, Portadown, County Armagh. He is sired by Gillette Windbrook ET, and is out of Berryholme G Jordan Flo ET VG87-2yr SP who gave over 10,500kgs at 4.07% butterfat and 3.23% protein in her first 305-day lactation. Buyer was Robert Anderson, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
The fifth placed Prehen Fury PLI £349 sold at 3,500gns for Robbie and Stuart Smith, Waterside, County Londonderry. A son of Co-op Bosside Massey ET, and bred from Prehen Niagra Froukje 2 GP83-2yr SP, his maternal grand dam is Prehen Oman Froukje ET VG88 – the former number one (August 2013) PLI cow in the UK. This one was snapped up by William Houston, Glarryford, County Antrim.
Auctioneer Michael Taaffe said: “The sale ring was packed, and with a 97% clearance rate, demand outstripped supply leaving many customers returning home empty handed. Twenty-seven bulls sold to average £3,107 – an increase of £731 on this time last year.”