Holstein heifers peak at 2,680gns at Moira sale
Top quality dairy heifers met a ready market at this week’s Holstein NI show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.
The monthly offering peaked at 2,680gns, with 32 in-milk heifers selling to average £1,737, and three heifer calves leveling at £380 each.
Sale leader was the day’s pre-sale champion, Newry Mahogany Hellen, from the herd of Jim and Charlotte Stevenson based at Kilkeel, County Down. This January 2010 born heifer was sired by the Picston Shottle son, Green Corner Mahogany, and is bred from an Ocean View Zenith dam. She attracted considerable attention from bidders around the salering, and sold to an undisclosed buyer.
Judge Tom Henderson, Strabane, picked the overall winner from a strong class, and described her as a super heifer with the potential to develop into a functional dairy cow.
Next best at 2,480gns was the third prize winning Hilltara Achillies Jane, a February 2010 born Townhouse Achillies daughter from the herd of Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, County Down. She was bred from Hilltara Townhouse Jane which produced over 10,600kgs at 4.34%BF and 3.08%P in her sixth lactation. Buyer was Gavin McKnight from Ballyclare, County Antrim.
Sam and John McCormick also realised 2,100gns for Hilltara Jeeves Freda which sold to Messrs R and G Reid, Banbridge, County Down. Born in August 2010, this Ked Outside Jeeves daughter was bred from the Calbrett IHH Champion daughter, Hilltara Champion Freda.
Following close behind at 2,080gns was Ballygrainey Ravenhill Z Fay bred by Holstein NI chairman Jay Warden, Bangor, County Down. This April 2010 born heifer is by the Jenny Lou Marshall son, Ards Ravenhill. Her dam is an EX91 daughter of Ocean View Zenith with five lactations boasting in excess of 5.00% butterfat. Buyer was Mr G Dobbin from Carryduff.
Stuart Smith, Londonderry, sold his best at 2,020gns. Prehen Elegant Dellia was born in May 2010, and is by the home-bred Braedale Goldwyn son, Prehen Elegant. Bred from Prehen Goldwyn Dellia ET VG88, she is backed by six generations of VG and EX dams.
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Cows reached a ceiling of 2,000gns, paid to Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, for their honourable mention award winner Hilltara Baxter Firework. This June 2008 born entry is a daughter of Emerald Acr Sa T Baxter, and is bred from the Silky Gibson daughter, Hilltara Gibson Firework 2. Calved four weeks and producing 38 litres daily she sold to G Herron from County Armagh.
Stuart Smith scooped the reserve championship award with Prehen Pepper Rosemary. This January 2010 born Windy Knoll View Pepper daughter came under the hammer at 1,950gns. Calved three weeks and giving 30 litres per day, she joins JJ McDowell’s herd based at Castlereagh.