Dairy quota upward trend continues
Dairy quota upward trend continues
DAIRY farmers looking for late winter milk to top up quota maintained the slow but steady upward trend in dairystock prices at the South Western Holstein Friesian Breeders Club sale at Exeter.
The 26 newly calved heifers averaged £757. The days top price was 1320gns for an entry from the Dinnaton herd of Derek Dennis and his family from Ivybridge, Devon.
Dinnaton BS Dom Total Eclipse, a Dombinator daughter, had calved in early December and was giving 38kg a day. Her dam, a young 8000kg Blackstar cow, is from one of the herds most milky families. Buyer was F * Van Nes, Bridport, Dorset.
Entries from William Leys Thuborough herd at Holsworthy found favour with Dorchester dairy farmer A Frampton, who took two. He paid 920gns for Thuborough Zebo Trintje, a calved heifer with a Pedigree Index of 1117 and PIN +£107. She is sired by the Arlinda Melwood son Zielland Zebo and out of a 10,900kg Aerostar dam.
His second purchase, taken at 900gns, promised even more milk. This Etazon Lutz freshly calved heifer is from the herds Denise family and out of a 11,600kg dam by Bis-May Tradition Cleitus. And Mr Frampton was in again at 900gns to secure the third lactation 9300kg Watergate B Mark Beth, from David Andrews Beneknowle herd at Plymouth.
Averages: seven cows in-milk £673, one heifer in-calf £441, three cows in-calf £542, 26 heifers in-milk £757 and two bulls £771. (Greenslade Taylor Hunt.) *