Taunton Xmas cracker

TAUNTON LIVESTOCK Centre saw one of the best Christmas Cracker dairy sales for many years, producing two top bids of 1400gns with 60 Holsteins going under the hammer.

A big crowd competed for stock from nine of the West Country’s leading black and white herds, but it was entries from the Dinnaton consignment of Devon breeder D C Dennis that stole the show.

First at 1400gns was the early-November calved heifer Dinnaton Slo Appro Jane.

This daughter of Mr Jed Approval is bred from the heavy milking Jane family. Her dam, by Slocum, gave 12,300kg with her third calf and she goes back to a string of consistent five-figure dams. Her third dam was an 11,700kg A Tora Matt Lancer daughter.

Appro Jane was giving 35kg on the day and was bought by Mr Reed of Crediton.

Sharing the top price of 1400gns was Dinnaton Fibre Wond Foxmask.

This October-calved heifer is by Webb-Vue Int Boy Wonder and out of the 12,900kg Dinnaton High Fibre. Buyer was M A Jeanes (Farms Ltd), Somerset.

Mr Dennis continued his run of success with the only bull entered in the sale.

Dinnaton Janacek, by Sandy-Valley Forbidden, is out of an 11,200kg dam by United Nick. Janacek realised 820gns Mr Luscombe, Ivybridge.

There were several four-figure deals. Dorset vendors R E and H E Bugler sold the second calver Bettiscombe Pinkie 125th at 1100gns.

She is by Regancrest Elton Dante and out of a 900kg dam by Rotate Jed. Three other Bettiscombe calved heifers – all by Duncan Progress – made 1000gns and more.

Devon breeders D E and M D Pyle realised 1000gns for their Hemburyfort Demifrits 146th, a calved heifer by Stardale Garcia.

Averages: Nine cows £876; 39 calved heifers £918; six in-calf heifers £723. (Greenslade Taylor Hunt)