21 June 2002

Top Holstein to be on show

MARK Watson, whose family run the Hallmark Holstein herd in Cumbria, plans to take to the Ayrshire show rings this summer with his top price purchase from the collective sale of cattle held at Beeston Castle, Cheshire, last week.

Heading for the family farm at Cockermouth is Knutsford Untold Story 55th, a smart close-to-calving heifer by Heydale Star View Willy and out of a cow by Attwell Apollo.

At 1400gns she topped the sale, which included the entire spring calving portion from Cheshire breeders Alan Coutts and Sons Knutsford herd.

Auctioneer Clive Norbury said: "She is an extremely good heifer and is 100% pure Ayrshire. She should be a great show prospect for this season."

Another from the same consignment made 1200gns. Knutsford Flo 68th was freshly calved and by Woodland View Pedro out of a Ballycan First Command cow with a best yield of 8200kg. Buyer was Alan Norbury, Knutsford, Cheshire.

Mid-Wales buyer GR Thomas, Llanelli, paid 1050gns for Knutsford Pansy 115th. She is by Blackaddar Milk Machine and was inseminated in November to Meikle Laught Triple Crown.

Knutsford Rosemarie 26th, a calved heifer by Blackaddar BB Kellog and out of a seventh calver by Monteith Star Jewel, went north to Carnforth, Lancs, with JJ and MI Longton at 960gns. The same buyers equalled the bid to secure a heifer from the Flo family by Blackaddar Eagan.

There were three deals at 920gns. The first call came from &#42 Tinker and Sons, Huddersfield, for the Bankend Waterloo-sired Knutsford Darkie 60th. Then PG Williams, Haverfordwest, purchased one from the Flo family sired by a son of Meadolake Jubilant. The Longton family completed the trio by taking another Flo heifer by Horizon Ranger Red.

A joint call of 1350gns from J Whiteford and Sons from Cumbria and Cheshires Andrew Bailey topped the collective section for a bulling heifer.

Green Lane Ruby Red 2nd was consigned by EH Arden and Son, Chester. She is by Ron-Nan Mario Red and out of the 9524kg Green Lane Factor Ruby Red.

The Arden family re-invested most of their earnings giving 1000gns for Hunnington Sailor Girl 91st. This freshly-calved heifer is by Anderlinis Willyboy and out of nine-lactation Brocklehill Harvest Gold cow that was a first prize winner at the Royal Welsh Show.

Averages: Knutsford-37 calved and maiden heifers £739 and 11 in-calf heifers £706. Collective-32 cows £609, 35 freshly calved heifers £775, 20 in-calf heifers £642 (Wright Manley). &#42