Organic heifers disperse to 2,350gns at Exeter

A blue roan Dairy Shorthorn topped the dispersal of Elbury Farm’s herd of organic cross-bred and Holstein Friesians at Exeter Livestock Centre on Friday (15 September).

A total of 141 in-milk cows and heifers levelled at £1,452, with 15 fresh heifers at £1,951 as John and Sue Kittow, Broadclyst, Exeter, dispersed their 226-head herd.

See also: Strong Jersey trade hits £1,750 at Exeter

Topping the trade at 2,350gns was a late August-calved roan Shorthorn heifer, knocked down to the Vickery family, Dorset. This was followed by a Portledge Victorious daughter at 2,250gns, which was knocked down to Park Farm, Bath, which bought 30 lots in total and the seven dearest on the day.

A group of Jersey-cross heifers by a Bluegrass stock bull saw calls of 2,000gns, 1,900gns twice, 1,850gns twice and 1,800gns twice.

Dry cows sold to 1,720gns with several of 1,500gns. The herd had been built up since 1988 and the switch to organic was made in 1997, before moving to Elbury Farm in 2000.

Bidders were treated to an entry of balanced cows with good udders and great longevity, with 45 cows in their fifth lactation or old. Herd yields were averaging 5,931kg at 4.01% fat and 3.14% protein at a 182,000 cell count.

Averages: 141 In-milk cows and heifers, £1,452; 29 dry cows, £1,473; 2 in-calf heifers, £1,197; 26 older or three-quartered cows, £721; 27 heifer calves, £306; 1 Beef Shorthorn bull, £1,942; 226 head, £1,239 (Kivells).

See more