Holstein bulls sell to 3,000gns at Moira

Quality bulls soared to a top of 3,000gns twice, while heifers reached a ceiling of 1,700gns, at Holstein Northern Ireland’s April show and sale, Moira.

The first bull in the catalogue Glasson Geordie PLI £424 from Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown, impressed judge Jim Gilliland to take the male championship award. Sired by SSI Mogul Defender ET, he is bred from the VG2yr Glasson Supersonic G Gail, who gave over 8,500kgs at 4.84% butterfat and 3.47% protein in her first 305-day lactation. This eighteen-month-old bull sold for 3,000gns to Riddell Murphy, and son Timothy, from Derrynoose, County Armagh.

Sharing the day’s top bid of 3,000gns was the third placed Relough Watchman PLI £411 bred by Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore, County Tyrone. Born in March 2015, he was sired by Ladys Manor Graf La Bron, and is out of Willsbro Garrett Roxy 2 ET EX91 3* who averaged 12,479kgs at 4.79% butterfat and 3.08% protein in three 305-day lactations. He sold to Cyril Maxwell from Augher, County Tyrone.

The McLean trio had a good day at Moira, selling five Relough bulls to average £2,450 per head.

Next best at 2,900gns was the reserve male champion Relough Fandango ET PLI £433. Sired by Seagull Bay MVP, his dam is the Morningview Legend daughter Relough Legend Frances EX92, who is projected to do over 12,000kgs in her third lactation. She is bred from nine generations of VG and EX dams, and averaged 10,734kgs at 4.64% butterfat and 3.66% protein in her first two lactations. Buyer was pedigree herd owner JJ McDowell from Castlereagh, Belfast.

Females

Leading heifer trade at 1,700gns was the female champion Inch Hylke Daphne 4, a potential ninth generation VG/EX heifer consigned by Inch Genetics. Sired by Tittenser Hylke, she is bred from Inch Toystory Daphne EX SP. Two weeks calved and producing 32 litres daily, she caught the eye of Raymond McCartney who was bidding on behalf of the Patterson family’s Ballycrochan Herd based at Bangor, County Down.

Claiming the reserve female championship was Hilltara Mascalese Rachel bred by the father and son team of Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, County Down. Sired by Zani Bolton Mascalese, she is bred from Hilltara Jamie Rachel EX90 SP LP80. Calved five weeks and producing 35 litres daily, this one sold for 1,360gns to David and Ian Cummins from Upper Ballinderry near Lisburn.

Averages: Six heifers, £1,358 (100%); and 14 bulls £2,128 (67%).

(Taaffe Auctions).