Grantchester Holsteins sell to 3300gns twice
The first sale to disperse the Grantchester herd of Holsteins for Grantchester Farms, saw a top call of 3300gns paid twice, with buyers flocking to Beeston Castle from all as far afield as Scotland, Somerset and Northern Ireland.
First to take the day’s top price was Grantchester Septemer Belle Red, a daughter of Pursuit September Storm and out of Yatehouse Tallant Belle Red. This ET bred first calved heifer gave 33.6kg at her first milk recording having calved in mid-October. With her dam having given 10,810 in her first lactation she sold to Seaton Farms, Cheshire.
The other at this price was Grantchester Goldwyn Farrah 9, a Braedale Goldwyn daughter out of Grantchester Spirit Farrah 3, a Hanover-Hill-R Spirit daughter. This second calver which calved in August, gave 8766 in her first lactation and was sold giving 40kg a day. Buying this one was Randall McDowell, Market Drayton.
Three lots then claimed the next best price of 3200gns, the first being Grantchester Damion Farrah, an Erbacres Damion daughter out of Grantchester Storm Farrah 4. This VG86 classified second calver gave 8454 in her first lactation and sold to M A Jeanes, Somerset.
Second to sell at this price was a February-born heifer calf and another member of the Farrah family, Grantchester September Farrah 21. Sired by Pursuit September and out of Grantchester Goldwyn Farrah 3, she was bought by J Watts Caerphilly.
The final sale at 3200gns came when Seaton Farms bought Grantchester Astromical Joy. This Oseeana Astronomical daughter is out of Grantchester Sprit Joy 2 and is a second calver, having last calved in February. she was sold giving 33kg and is the fourth generation of Ex of VG cows.
At 3100gns was Grantchester Goldwyn Special 2, a Braedale Goldwyn daughter out of Grantchester Gibson Special 4. A first calved heifer, Special 2 sold giving 26.8kg after calving in July and was bought by Clayden Holsteins, Cheshire.
No fewer than four then traded at 3000gns, with the first being Grantchester Goldwyn Farrah 10 which was claimed for the Airfield herd of Robert Paterson, Norfolk. Sired by Braedale Goldwyn, she is out of Grantchester Rudolph Farrah 12 and is a second calver.
The next at this price was another Farrah, Grantchester Goldwyn Farrah 12. She is again by Goldwyn and is out of Grantchester Spirit Farrah 3. Sold having calved her first in March, she went home with Randall McDowell.
Third to make 3000gns was Grantchester Goldwyn Farrah 3. Yet another of the Farrah family by Goldwyn, she is out of Grantchester Starbuck Farrah 8 and is a second calver which had given 11,488kg in 266 days of her second lactation. She sold to Peter Waring, Beverley. And the last to sell at this money was Grantchester September Belle Red 3, a full sister to the top priced lot. Claiming this one were T R and J M Oultram and Sons, Frodsham.
Averages; 101 cows and milking heifers £2487.98 (including 63 2010 born heifer calves at £980.83), 10 served heifers £1691.55, 38 maiden heifers £1206.12, one bull £787.50 (Wright Manley).