Champion takes Moira Holstein bulls to 4,200gns

Pedigree bulls scaled to heights of 4,200gns, while heifers peaked at 2,550gns, at this week’s Holstein NI show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Bulls met a selective trade with 10 lots selling to average £2,137 per head; while the female portion of the catalogue attracted a complete clearance with 24 heifers and cows averaging £1,966 each.

Sale leader at 4,200gns was the day’s male champion Relough Raydan ET (PLI £170), bred by Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore, County Tyrone. This fourteen-month-old entry was sired by the O-Bee Manfred Justice son, Wa-Del Hayden ET, and is bred from the EX classified Relough Shottle Raven 4 ET who has averaged over 10,800kgs at 4.16% butterfat and 3.15% protein in three 305-day lactations. Backed by five generations of EX dams, this much-admired entry attracted a tussle of bids, selling to John Caldwell from Beragh, County Tyrone.

Judge Robert Wallace, Templepatrick, described the sale leader as an easy winner. “He is an exceptional bull, very well put together with good locomotion and sound legs and feet.” The pre-sale show was sponsored by Cloud computing company, FarmWizard, whose business development manager Mark Elliott was on-hand to congratulate the winners and present the rosettes.

Second highest price of the day 3,100gns was paid to Mark Truesdale, Newcastle, County Down, for the February 2011 born Castletru Rasputin ET (PLI £102). Sired by Ked Outside Jeeves, he is backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams. His dam, Ards Juror 1 Ruth 3 ET (EX94-6E) produced over 15,200kgs at 5.10% butterfat and 3.05% protein in her seventh 305-day lactation. Buyer was Sean O’Brien from Poyntzpass.

The reserve male championship was awarded to Ards Sparky ET (PLI £93), exhibited by Harry Patton, and sons Wallace and Wilson, from Newtownards, County Down. Born in October 2010 he is by Ked Outside Jeeves ET, while is dam is Opsal Durham Samantha ET (EX91-USA), which produced over 16,500kgs at 5.20% butterfat and 3.30% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Backed by nine generations of VG and EX dams, he failed to meet his reserve and was withdrawn from the salering unsold.

“The reserve champion is another good bull, with great dairy strength and breed character,” added the judge.

The McLean family – Ronald, Malcolm and Barry, also claimed the top price in the female section, when they realised 2,550gns for the third prize winning Relough Million Jessica. This potential eighth generation VG and EX heifer was born in November 2009 and is by the Comestar Outside son, England Ammon Million. Her dam, Relough Hillcrest Jessica VG88 produced over 10,100kgs at 4.27% butterfat and 3.27% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Calved four weeks and producing 38 litres per day, she sold to William Herron from Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.

Next best at 2,450gns was Ballygrainey Airraid Dory, a second calver brought out by Holstein NI chairman Jay Warden from Bangor, County Down. Sired by Sildahl Airraid, she produced over 8,000kgs at 4.93% butterfat and 3.23% protein in her heifer lactation. Six weeks calved and yielding 50 litres per day, this one sold to Sam Gilmore from Tandragee, County Armagh.

The Braedale Goldwyn son, Ards Russell, was behind the breeding of a potential tenth generation heifer which attracted 2,350gns for Messrs Patton, Newtownards. The October 2009 born Ards Russell Tara sold to George Anderson from Drumbo, Lisburn. Her dam, Ards Mr Sam Tara VG86 gave over 9,000kgs at 4.82% butterfat and 3.39% protein in her second 305-day lactation.

The second lot into the salering, Ballycrochan Bolton Zwartina, came under the hammer at 2,280gns for Aubrey Patterson from Bangor, County Down. Born in May 2009, this Cogent Loader daughter was bred from Ballycrochan Mascrael Tibbie 2, who produced an average of over 7,400kgs at 4.15% butterfat and 3.4% protein in five 305-day lactations. Buyer was William Herron from Newtownhamilton.

Following close behind at 2,220gns was the female champion, Hilltara Laurin Daydream 2, bred by the father and son team of Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, County Down. This Den-K Marshall LL Laurin daughter, is bred from the GP84 (2yr) Hilltara Baxter Daydream who gave over 8,600kgs at 4.01% butterfat and 3.08% protein in her first 305-day lactation. Three weeks calved and producing 36 litres per day, she joins Sam Gilmore’s herd near Tandragee.

“The champion heifer is a good clean-boned animal, with a well attached, high and wide rear udder,” said Robert Wallace.

Next best at 2,200gns was the second calver, Ards Mascol O Ruth, from the Patton family, Newtownards. Sired by Mascol, this potential ninth generation VG and EX cow also sold to William Herron, Newtownhamilton.

Jim Morrison, Downpatrick, County Down, secured the reserve female championship award with Inch Shottle Daphne 11. Born in October 2009, this potential ninth generation VG and EX heifer is bred from Inch Goldwyn Daphne 6 ET VG89 who produced over 9,000kgs at 5.75% butterfat and 3.23% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Calved three weeks and producing 30 litres per day, she realised 2,000gns, selling to a pedigree herd in Stewartstown, County Tyrone. “This heifer is a cow maker, and has a well attached udder,” concluded the judge.