High prices at Golden Holstein sale

THE GOLDEN Opportunity Holstein sale, hosted by Tom Cowell at Kirkham, Lancs, last week, reached a top price of 5200gns for the 11,000kg second-calver Baillies Gibson Bliss 6th.

The sale included stock from the Avenham, Bilsrow, Enchanted and Whitecarr herds.

Consigned by Enchanted Holsteins – a partnership of Lancs breeders Claire Swale and Aubrey Greenhalgh – she was bought as a heifer at the dispersal of Rangemore Farm’s herd. Bliss 6th has won at the Royal and National shows, judged best udder on both occasions. She was in-calf to Braedale River and joins Ian Williamson’s Wardle herd in Cheshire.

Mr Williamson also gave 3000gns for the calved heifer Bilsrow Convincer Snowboots from Lancs breeders David and Sheila Tomlinson.

Calved heifers reached 5000gns when Shropshire farmer Brian Whitfield secured Bilsrow Leduc Fantee for his Alderbarrow herd. She is bred from the famous Fawn family.

He also spent 36,000gns on Bilsrow Lee Shower. Matching the bid was Northern Ireland breeder Beattie Lilburn to claim Hawkland Blitz Enid 2nd offered by Enchanted Hosteins.

Averages: 15 cows 1466; 74 calved heifers 1373; 18 served heifers 1051 (Norton and Brooksbank).