Lillyhall heifer leads Borderway and Lakeland dairy sale

Prices peaked at 3,000gns at the Border and Lakeland dairy show and sale, Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Averages were down by £311 on the year, with auctioneers blaming the current downturn in milk price.

Topping trade was a maiden heifer from the Lillyhall elite youngstock sale, on behalf of Allan and Christine Watson, Cockermouth.

Lillyhall Goldsun Bonita is sired by Toc-Farm Goldsun and was the last daughter to be sold from Overside Mr Sam Bonita Ex92, a cow purchased in the Black and White sale six years ago for 20,000gns. Buyer was J Brewster, Glasgow.

Another Lillyhall maiden heifer made 2,8000gns. Lillyhall Beauty Butterfly is sired by Niagra and is out of the R-E-W Buckeye dam Texel Beauty Butterfly VG86 (2yr). She headed to Wigton, Cumbria, with D and MC Taylor.

At the same money and topping trade for milkers was the July 2007-born DG Golden Alto from N and J McCarragher, Fernycleugh. This one is sired by Gold Chip and is out of a dam by Sanchez. She sold to an undisclosed buyer.

Just shy of this at 2,750gns was WC Leek’s March 2012-born heifer in-milk Seabreeze Seaver Lupin, Holmrook, Cumbria. Sired by R-E-W Seaver she is bred from an Ex90 dam. Buyer was HM Horsely, Penrith, Cumbria.

The overall champion was awarded to the in-milk heifer Ernespie Flossie 3, from D McMiken, Castle Douglas. Sired by Ernespie Larry she is out of a homebred dam, classified VG85. She sold to an undisclosed buyer.

On the same day the dispersal sale of the Straidnahanna pedigree Holstein herd was held, on behalf of Wilson Stewart, Machine, Ayrshire. Topping trade was a freshly calved Ayrshire heifer sired by Haresfoot Elegant. Buyer at 2,200gns was R McColm, Stranraer.

Averages: Three cows in milk/calf; 89 heifers in milk/calf, £1,792.98; two bulls, £1,417.50; eight Lillyhall maiden heifers, £1,942.50; 62 Straidnahanna dispersal, £1,320.80.

(Harrison and Hetherington)