First post-virus sale takes dairy buyers to Ayr


By Jeremy Hunt


AYRSHIRE and Holstein breeders paid up to 5000gns for youngstock from the noted Bankend and Sandyford herds at Ayr market last Saturday.

The first opportunity to buy outstanding dairy cattle at a live auction since foot-and-mouth meant bidders were in top gear from the start.

Notable prices ran to 4200gns for an October-born Holstein calf, and 3000gns for young Ayrshire bulls.

Although the Bankend Ayrshire youngstock sold on a fast trade to level 99 head at 1025, it was the Holsteins that nudged ahead on price.

Top call came from the Scottish borders. T Hodge of Rulemains, Duns, paid 5000gns for the October 2000-bred heifer Sandyford Rubens Glow Red.

She is by STBVQ Rubens and out of a Horizon Harry-sired cow that topped 9000kg in her first three lactations and gave over 10,300kg in her fourth.

Several of the great Bankend families were in demand, but none more so than the Wrens.

And it was Bankend Wren 173rd, a daughter of Horizon Harry, that surpassed the Ayrshires with a 3400gns bid from G Lawrie, Monkton.

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