Holstein bulls reach 8,200gns in Northern Ireland

Pedigree black and white bulls reached a ceiling of 8,200gns at Holstein NI’s annual spring show and sale, Moira.

The forward entry achieved a 73% clearance, with 19 lots selling leveling £3,545 a head – an increase of more than £1,500 on the year (2013: 21 lots averages £2,029).

Sale leader was Laurelhill Sultan (PLI £199) bred by Brian Mawhinney from Doagh, County Antrim. Sired by Va-Early-Dawn Sudan he is bred from the 8,500gns Laurelhill Maestro Fay VG88, who produced over 9,900kgs at 5.50% butterfat and 3.83% protein in her second 305-day lactation.

He was secured by Robert Anderson from Dungannon, County Tyrone.

Milk Quality Award winner Laurelhill Sultan realised a top price of 8,200gns for Brian Mawhinney, Doagh.

Second highest price of the day of 5,300gns was paid to Ronald McLean, Donaghmore, County Tyrone for their 14-month-old Relough Ruffle (PLI £175). By Regancrest Altaiota ET, he is out of a home-bred Shottle dam. Backed by seven successive generations of EX dams, he sold to Charles Caldwell from Killeter, County Tyrone.

Stephen Rogers exhibited the 5,300gns Relough Ruffle bred by the McLean Family, Donaghmore.

Next best at 5,200gns was Newry Gold Twist (PLI £188) from the 100-cow herd of Jim and Charlotte Stevenson based at Kilkeel, County Down. Born in September 2012, he was sired by the Picston Shottle son Cogent Twist, and is bred from Newry Goldwyn Barbie EX94-2E SP. Backed by six generations of VG and EX dams he was snapped up by John Stewart from Portaferry, County Down.

The McLean family was in the money again, this time realising 4,800gns for the fourteen-month-old Relough Fernando (PLI £122). Sired by the Ensenada Taboo Planet son Currajugle Gonzo, he was bred from Relough Legend Frances VG88-SP who produced over 10,000kgs at 4.75% butterfat and 3.63% protein in her first 305-day lactation. Buyer was Alan Liggett from Corbo, Clogher, County Tyrone.

Next best from the McLean family at 4,550gns was the November 2012 born Relough Dumero ET (PLI £224). Sired by Amighetti Numero Uno, he is backed by nine generations of VG and EX dams, and has five full brothers in AI at Genus ABS and Cogent. His dam, Relough Legend Danna 3 VG86-2yr gave 40.3kgs at 5.08% butterfat and 3.83% protein during her last milk recording. Highest bidder was William Bond from Eglinton, County Londonderry.

The Relough offering attracted a steady trade with seven bulls changing hands to average £3,690 each.

The father and son team of William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, County Londonderry, sold their best at 4,100gns. The fourteen-month-old Ballycairn Sudan Galahad ET (PLI £157) was sired by Va-Early-Dawn Sudan CRI ET, and is bred from Ballycairn Boliver Georgia ET VG-2yr SP who gave over 10,200kgs at 4.22% butterfat and 3.32% protein in her first lactation. This one sold to Leslie Glenn and Sons from Carryduff, Belfast.

Following close behind at 4,050gns was the pre-sale show’s honourable mention winner Killane Regent (PLI £113), brought out by brothers Austin and David Perry, Ahoghill, County Antrim. This sixteen-month-old bull was sired by the Veazland Marion son Bomaz Marion Emerald 648 EX-USA, and is bred from Killane Boliver Roberta 15 EX-SP who produced in excess of 10,800kgs at 4.28% butterfat and 3.24% protein in her third 305-day lactation. Her sons have sold to Genus ABS and Diamond Genetics. This one joins William Johnston’s herd based at Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh.

Judge Dessie Dunlevy from Drogheda awarded the Danske Bank supreme championship award to the Guarini son Ards Camelot ET (PLI £198). Bred by Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, County Down, this fourteen-month-old bull came under the hammer at 3,000gns, selling to John O’Brien from Poyntzpass, County Down. His dam is the 26,000 Euro Anderstrup Ramos Camil EX-DK who has sons in AI in five different countries.

Supreme champion was Ards Camelot ET shown by Wilson Patton, Newtownards. Adding their congratulations are sponsor John Henning, Danske Bank; and judge Dessie Dunlevy, Drogheda.

Claiming the reserve championship was Glasson Garrison (PLI £191), a De Su 521 Bookem ET VG86-USA son, bred by Philip Haffey, and son Simon, Portadown, County Armagh. He was bred from Glasson Shottle JG Gail VG88-3yr EX-MS, who produced over 8,500kgs at 4.59% butterfat and 3.50% protein in her first lactation. This one failed to meet his reserve and was withdrawn unsold.