Holsteins reach 7,200gns as Bowberhill herd levels at £3,600

Exceptional Holstein genetics saw keen bidding at the Bowberhill herd dispersal at Borderway on Saturday (16 March) as 39 animals made £3,000 or more, milkers averaged almost £3,600 and trade hit 7,200gns and 7,000gns.

A total of 21 counties across Britain and Ireland were represented around a crowded ringside to bid for stock from Malcolm and Jean Hutchinson, Kirkby Stephen, who established the herd after foot-and-mouth disease culling from the Comley herd.

Trade peaked at 7,200gns with Bowberhill Dorcy Vanessa (VG87), which was knocked down to R McNeil, Cairnpat Farm, Stranraer.

Vanessa boasts a “close-to-perfect” udder, according to Harrison and Hetherington senior dairy auctioneer Glyn Lucas, and was bred from a popular Italian cow family, going back to Aquila Cleitus Vanessa.

See also: Black and whites hit 2017 high at Wyndford dispersal

Comely Mischief granddaughter Bowberhill Dorcy Vanessa hit the day’s high of 7,200gns

Next was a 7,000gns bid from Eryl Done, North Fields Farm, Berwick, for Boweberhill McCutchen Barb 2 (VG86). Her dam line boasts an Ex93 Jeeves, an Ex94 Shottle and a 90t Ex94 Emerson.

Mr McNeil was back in the bidding at 6,500gns for Mogul Gremlin (VG88), a cow from four Ex dams, the third being show cow Upsall Skycheif Gremlin (Ex93).

Gremlin’s young O’Connors Classic heifer calf knocked down to Yorkshire buyers the Robinsons, Leyburn.

An excellent show of heifer calves brought three 2,700gns calls, with a total of 13 smashing the £2,000 mark.

One lot at 2,700gns was Bowberhill Applicable Gremlin 2, sired by Stantons Applicable and bred from five direct excellent dams. She was purchased by Geoffery Patton from the Carrowcroft Holstein herd in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Averages: 99 cows and heifers in milk, £3,597; 17 in-calf heifers, £2,665,14; 15 recently served heifers, £2,233; 13 bulling heifers, £1,445.76; 56 heifer calves, £1,444,68; 2 bulls, £2,782.50; 2 bull calves; £1,050; 9 embryos, £437.50. (H&H)