5,000gns top at Moira Holstein bull sale

The UK’s high ranking Prehen Franco ET (PLI £233) realised a top price of 5,000gns at Holstein NI’s 23rd annual spring show and sale, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Moira Bull 1.jpgTrade was selective from start to finish with Taaffe Auctions confirming that 21 lots changed hands to level at £2,029 a head.

Prehen Franco is currently one of the highest ranked PLI bulls in the UK, and is backed by eight generations of VG and EX dams. He was born in December 2011, and is by the Ensenada Taboo Planet son, De Su Observer ET. Bred by Stuart Smith, Londonderry, his dam is the UK No:7 PLI cow Prehen Goldwyn Froukje ET EX91 (PLI £254). 

She gave over 11,700kgs at 4.18% butterfat and 3.78% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Successful bidder was Mr G R Gilmore from Portaferry, County Down.

Second highest price of the day 3,150gns, was paid to Ronald McLean and Sons, Malcolm and Barry, Donaghmore, County Tyrone, for the Milk Quality Award winner.  Relough Dannata ET (PLI £172) was born in December 2011, and is by Regancrest Altaiota. He is backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams.

His dam Relough Dante Danna 3 EX95 4E was supreme champion at the Irish National Holstein Show in 2006, and averaged 11,758kgs at 4.95% butterfat and 3.30% protein over four lactations.

Relough Dante Danna 3 also produced the November 2011 born Relough Danbrook ET (PLI£124), which claimed the day’s supreme overall championship award. Sired by Gillette Windbrook ET, he came under the hammer at 2,900gns, selling to Desmond McAuley from Toomebridge.

Judge Mervyn Eager from the Evergrange herd in County Dublin praised the quality of the bulls on offer. “The overall standard was very good, but the top placed bulls in each class were excellent. I really liked the champion. He has great scale, is well put together, and walks well on sound legs and feet.

A team of bulls from William and Andrew McCollum’s herd in Coleraine, County Londonderry, sold to a top of 2,200gns. Leading their line-up was the fifth placed Ballycairn Leko Agallo ET (PLI £98). Born in October 2011, he is by the Lauden son, Leko, and is bred from Ballycairn Alton Aggie VG which is currently giving 58kgs at 4.19% butterfat and 3.30% protein, and is projected to do over 13,800kgs in her second lactation.

Will Corrie, Newtownards, paid out 2,100gns to secure the December 2011 born Ards Radley, bred and exhibited by Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, County Down. Sired by the Picston Shottle son, End Road Beacon, he is bred from the VG86 Ards Bonair Ruth ET.

An October 2011 born bull from the McCollum’s Ballycairn herd came under the hammer at 2,000gns. Ballycairn Dover Herman ET (PLI £119) was sired by Kings Ransom Dover ET, and is bred from Ballycairn Joc Heidi ET VG87.

Also selling at 2,000gns was the fifth placed Relough Limelight ET (PLI £128). Born in December 2011, he is by Schillview Oman Gerard ET, and bred from Delaberge Goldwyn Liana ET VG89.

Jonathan Leathem from Danske Bank’s agricultural department was on-hand to congratulate the winners and present the awards at the pre-sale show.

Results from the judging ring include:

Bull, born between 23/08/11 and 02/11/11 – 1, and honourable mention, Geoffrey Patton, Carrowdore, Carrowcroft Detroit ET by End Road Beacon; 2, William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, Ballycairn Dover Lexus ET by Kings Ransom Dover ET; 3, Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, Relough Lawrence  by Relough Dollarman ET.

Bull, born between 21/11/11 and 22-12-11 – 1, and supreme champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Danbrook ET by Gillette Windbrook ET; 2, Relough Dannata ET by Regancrest Altaiota ET; 3, Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Rennie by Regancrest Altaiota ET.

Bull, born between 14/01/12 and 03/02/12 – 1, and reserve champion, Alan Patterson, Donaghadee, Herdstown Windbrook by Gillette Windbrook ET; 2, Ards Zodiac ET by Golden Oaks ST Alexander; 3, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Starsky ET by Regancrest Altaiota ET.