Ashdon Holsteins disperse to 5200gns top call

A big crowd prepared to pay good money for well-bred cows was present at Beeston Castle this week for the sale of the Ashdon herd of Holsteins for Robin Vestey, Haverhill, Suffolk.

Leading the way among the buyers was David Burroughs, Aldeby, Suffolk, who paid 5200gns for the Ashdon Antiquity 8, a VG88 classified daughter of Canyon-Breeze Allen. She was sold having given 9642kg in 282 days of her heifer lactation at 4.13% butterfat and 2.72% protein.

Then making 4200gns was a Titanic daughter, Lavenham Pat 2, a second calver  which was sold having calved two months ago and giving 42kg a day. This one, the ninth generation Ex or VG classified from her dam line, sold to George Sanderson, Catforth, Preston.

And selling for 3400gns was Ashdon Duchess 53, a third calver by Roylane Jordan classified Ex92 and due in December to ME Dal Alliance. She sold to Richard Gay for his Walkabout herd, Musbury.

Shortly behind that at 3200gns was Ashdon Debbie, another by Jordan and this time classified Ex91, she was sold fresh calved with her fourth calf and giving 45kg a day. Buying this one was Rob Barnett, Whitchurch, for the Hully herd.

Making 3000gns was second calver Ashdon Seabreeze 72, a Vision daughter. She went to Martin Lowry for the Halen herd, Newcastle Emlyn.

Topping the served heifers was a 2450gns sale for Fradon Jet-Red daughter Ashdon Seabreeze 94. Bred from five generations of Ex and VG dams she went to Ken Marshall, Carmarthen. Meanwhile, the maiden heifers were led at 2900gns for ME Dal S Alliance daughter Ashdon Juliana 59. She sold to J H and P E Nicholson, Norwich.

Heifer calves were headed at 2300gns for 10 month old Ross daughter Ashdon Antiquity 9, a daughter of the top selling cow. She went to Clayden Holsteins.

Averages; 124 Cows and Milking Heifers (including 59 Heifer Calves at £856.02 and 1 Bull Calf at £630.00) £1887.03; 28 In-calf Heifers £1641.75; 10 Recently Served Heifers £1500.45; 40 Maiden Heifers £1145.81 (Wright Manley).