Black and white heifers level at 2,600gns at Moira
Pedigree black and white heifers and young cows met a strong demand at Holstein NI’s first monthly show and sale of the new year.
Trade at the Moira-based Pedigree Sales Arena topped at 2,600gns, and following a 90% clearance, auctioneer Michael Taaffe reported that 28 entries sold to level at £1,942 a head.
Sale leader at 2,600gns was the day’s pre-sale champion Relough Rural brought out by Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, County Tyrone.
Sired by the home-bred Pursuit September Storm son, Relough Rural, this potential 8th generation VG and Ex heifer is four weeks calved and giving 35 kilos daily. Her dam, Relough Hillcrest Jessica VG88 gave more than 10,000kgs at 4.27% butterfat and 3.27% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Buyer was B Knipe from Ballymoney, County Antrim.
Second highest bid of 2,350gns, was paid to Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, County Down, for the February 2011 born Ards Talent Lilac. Sired by Ladino Park Talent, she was bred from the Ex92 2E Ards Roy Lilac who has completed eight lactations. Calved three weeks and producing 34 kilos daily, she joins David McClurg’s herd at Crossgar, County Down.
Following close behind at 2,320gns was the December 2010 born Hycrest Captain Keestus, consigned by Beattie Lilburn, Dromore, County Down. Sired by Glen Valley BW Captain, she sold to William Herron, Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.
The July 2010 born Ballycairn Laomedon Mattie, bred by William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, County Londonderry, came under the hammer at 2,280gns, selling to Freddie and Richard Mackey, Dromore, County Down. Sired by the home-bred Jose son, Ballycairn Laomedon, she is out of Ballycairn Objustice Mattie VG, which produced more than 10,000kgs at 4.01% butterfat and 3.47% protein in her second 305-day lactation.
William Herron also paid out 2,220gns to secure the October 2010 born Abercorn Axiom Jewel, bred and exhibited by David and Alan Wallace, Antrim, County Antrim. Sired by the Canyon Breeze Axiom son, Abercorn Axiom Olly, he is bred from the VG87 Abercorn Dunbar Jewel.
Other leading prices included:
2,100gns – Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, County Down, Hilltara Dusk Echo, to William Herron, Netownhamilton.
2,040gns – Ian and Kenny Watson, Macosquin, County Londonderry, Majestic Leo Anna, to Brian Knipe, Ballymoney, County Antrim.
2,000gns – William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ballycairn Agosto Elise to S Gilmore, Tandragee, County Armagh.
Results from the judging ring include:
In-milk heifer – 1, and champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, Relough Rural Jessica by Relough Rural; 2, and honourable mention, Beattie Lilburn, Dromore, Hycrest Captain Ada by Glen Valley BW Captain; 3, David and Alan Wallace, Antrim, Abercorn Axiom Jewell by Abercorn Aximon Olly.
In-milk cow – 1, and reserve champion, Ballygrainey Ravenhill Darkie 7 by Ards Ravenhill; 2, Sam and John McCormick, Hilltara Bonair Rachel by Karona Bonair.