Bidding reaches 7,000gns at Sedgemoor’s Spotlight Holstein sale

BY JEREMY HUNT

Bidding reached a high of 7,000gns for a seven-month-old calf at the Spotlight Holstein sale held Sedgemoor Auction Mart.

“A really good trade for some smart cattle on offer,” commented joint auctioneer Chris Norton of Norton and Brooksbank who shared rostrum duties with Derek Biss of Greenslade Taylor Hunt.

Riverdane Holsteins were the day’s high earning vendors taking 7,000gns for Riverdane Clay Autumn – descried as being from “the world’s hottest family”. This January-born calf certainly turned up the heat around the ringside and stays in the west country to join the Perrins herd of Messrs Hussell. By Gibbs-I Claynook Dude and out of Riverdane Sho Autumn (VG88- 2yr) she has a PIN £15 and PLI +£91.

The Peacehay herd of Messrs Chave added D and B Thomas’ Churchvale Numero Ambrosia (PIN £28, PLI £154, GTPI 2075 and GPTAT 3.39). This October born heifer calf is by Amighetti Numero Uno and out of Sahara Atwood Ambrosia and realised 4,800gns.

Also bound for Peacehay at 3800gns was the red-carrier September born heifer calf Riverdane Ex Ruby from Riverdane Holsteins. She is by Wabash-Way Explode and out of Baileys Advent Ruby Red.

Drointon Farms from Staffordshire picked up Koepon Domain Melody 2nd (PIN £14, PLI £44, GTPI 1961 and GPTAT 2.80) – a fresh calved heifer by Ronelee Toystory Domain and out of the Ex90 cow Carters Corner Shot Melody. She was consigned by Sahara Holsteins.

And staying in Somerset at 4600gns was Monmouthshire vendor Mrs C Jones freshly calved heifer Wiltor Million Cream – a England-Ammon Million ET daughter out of Ralma Goldwyn Carmel.

‘Woodmarsh Zidan’ from Mick Gould sold for 3300gns. This March 2012 born bull is by Gillette Jordan. He is out of the Ex90 classified Woodmarsh Zoey, a daughter of Comestar Outside. He has six generations of very good or excellent dams with his grand dam the Ex95 classified Ocean View Mandel Zandra. Mick Gould also sold ‘Woodmarsh Zever’ for 3,100gns, he is by Crackholm Fever and out of an Ex91 classified daughter of Woodmarsh Zoey, Woodmarsh Final Cut Zandra 8.

Making 3,200gns was ‘Richaven Champion Squaw’ from Designer Holsteins. This second calver is giving 40kg a day and as a heifer was first and junior champion at Royal Norfolk Show 2012. She is out of three consecutive dams scored Ex93, her dam being Richaven RR Squaw.

Selling for 3,000gns was ‘BB Million Ghost 2’ from BB Holsteins, Monmouthshire. This fresh heifer by Million is out of the VG88 scored BB Baxter  Ghost 2, a daughter of the 27,000gns Riverdane Terrason Ghost. She has 12 generations of very good or excellent. She travelled to Lanhydrock with the Oliver family.

At the same money and this time consigned by Designer Holsteins was ‘Springtime Wisconsin Molli Red’, a May calved two year old heifer. As a maiden she was first at South of England, Kent and Royal Norfolk. She is by April-Day Wisconsin-Red and out of the Ex92 scored Baileys Rampage Molli Red who herself won interbreed champion at South of England and Kent in 2011 and South of England again in 2012. This heifer is giving 38kg a day.

Another from Designer Holsteins and making 3,000gns was the VG87 classified ‘Smartmove Atom Gail 2’. This fourth calver is giving 52kgs a day and gave 10871kg at 4.08%p and 3.24%bf in her last lactation. She is by Canyon-Breeze Storm Atom and out of the Ex91 scored Wiltor Mtoto Gail.

Also at 3,000gns was ‘Mendip Windbrook Lustre’ from T R Quick, a February 2012-born heifer she is by Gillette Windbrook. Her dam is the VG86 classified Shottle daughter Willsbro Sho Lust and goes back to Idee Lustre.

Clearance rate 86%.

Averages: 10 calved cows and heifers, £3,223.50; three in calf heifers, £2,222.50; 16 maiden heifers, £2,641.41; two bulls, £3,360; total of 31 head, £2,835.