Holstein heifers sell to 4,100gns twice at Moira

Heifers sold to a top of 4,100gns twice and bulls peaked at 3,000gns at Holstein NI’s April show and sale, Moira.

Sharing the day’s top price were two entries from Brian and Ann Mawhinney’s noted Laurelhill herd based at Doagh, County Antrim.

First of these was Laurelhill Dob Fay, an October 2011 born Coppertop Doberman daughter, out of Laurelhill Shaker A Fay EX94. Buyer was William Houston from Glarryford, County Antrim.

Next at this money was Laurelhill Jerrick C Fay, which was purchased by Brian O’Connor, Kanturk, County Cork. Born in November 2011, she is by the Braedale Goldwyn son Gillette Jerrick and is out of Laurelhill Spooky Fay VG88, which gave over 8,300kgs at 5.22% butterfat and 4.15% protein in her second lactation.

Brian O’Connor also gave 3,800gns for the January 2012 born Laurelhill Doberman Lou Ella. Sired by the Picston Shottle son Coppertop Doberman ET, she is out of Castletru Goldwyn Lou Ella EX91.

Next best at 3,700gns was the female champion Relough Iota Danna 3. Consigned by Ronald McLean and sons, Donaghmore, County Tyrone, she is bred by Regancrest Altaiota, and is a daughter of the VG86 Relough Million Danna 2. She sold to Stephen McAllister from Dungannon, County Tyrone, just four-weeks calved and giving 25 litres daily.

Jim and Nicholas McCann, Bangor, County Down, realised 2,850gns for the December 2011 born Simlahill Fever Quality. Sired by Crackholm Fever, she is out of the VG88 Simlahill Outside Quality, who produced over 10,700kgs at 4.18% butterfat and 3.16% protein in her third 305-day lactation. Buyer was William Herron, Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.

Mr Herron also secured the third prize winning Relough Dambuster Roxie for 2,850gns. Sired by the homebred Wal-Del Hayden son Relough Dambuster, she is backed by eight generations of VG and EX dams.

The December 2011 born Laurelhill Sycamore Fay came under the hammer at 2,750gns, selling to Stephen McAllister, Dungannon. Sired by the homebred Sandy Valley Talent son Laurelhill Sycamore, she is out of the 8,200gns Laurelhill Maestro Fay.

The pre-sale show’s reserve female champion was Glasson Fever T Tina from the father and son team of Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown, County Armagh. Sired by Crackholm Fever, she is bred from Glasson Talent Tina. Almost three weeks calved and producing 32 litres daily, this one sold to Irish breeder Paul Flanagan from Termonfeckin, County Louth.

Bull trade was selective with prices peaking at 3,000gns for the male champion Mullagher Alexander (PLI £95), from Norman McNaugher, and son David, Aghadowey, County Londonderry. Born in November 2012, he is by Pine Tree Sid and his dam Smithden Bolton Alexandra VG86-Can 9* sold for $23,000 at the Vanhaven dispersal in 2013. This eye-catching entry sold to Paul Brown from Clough, County Antrim.

The second prize-winning Inch Starter (PLI £84) made 2,750gns for Jim Morrison, Downpatrick, County Down. Born in November 2012, he is by Regancrest Mr Drham Sam, and is out of Inch Shottle Daphne 4 ET (VG86-2yr). Backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams, he sold to George Kenneway from Cullybackey, County Antrim.

Next best at 2,500gns was the fourth prize-winning Relough Definitive from the McLean family. This January 2013 born Gran J Oman McCormick son, was bred from the 2009 Balmoral Show champion Relough Goldwyn Danna ET EX92 SP, who gave over 12,300kgs at 5.13% butterfat and 3.34% protein in her third 305-day lactation. Buyer was Robert Shaw from Carryduff, County Down.

Averages: 27 females £2,441; eight bulls £2,297.

(Taaffe Auctions).