Milk price crash causes uncertainty in dairy ring
Uncertainty in the milk markets is continuing to have a knock on effect on dairy cow trade with prices remaining low.
Senior dairy auctioneer Glyn Lucas of Harrison and Hetherington said top prices at their monthly Border and Lakeland sale last week (15 July), saw almost identical prices to those seen in 2005, with a top price of 1,500gns to average £1,336.
He said while uncertainty remained so to would the depressed trade. However, he encouraged farmers looking to secure animals to look at the home markets first, before importing.
Speaking to Farmers Weekly, Mr Lucas said: “There is better value in the UK now than importing. We are seeing animals coming forward and we expect there to be more in the coming weeks due to dispersals.
“While prices are depressed animals are selling. I expect we could see some farmers taking out the bottom end of the dairy herd and replacing with more efficient animals,” he added.
Border and Lakeland sale
The Border and Lakeland sale at Carlisle, saw almost a full clearance. Leading trade at 1,500gns was the overall champion Boclair Stanleycup Camilla consigned by David Brewster, Glasgow. She was giving 38kgs from a super line of Excellent and Very Good cows. She now joins the herd of J Bryson, Dykehead Farm.
Leading trade at 1,500gns at the Border and Lakeland sale at Carlisle, was the overall champion Boclair Stanleycup Camilla consigned by David Brewster, Glasgow.
A close to perfect balanced heifer consigned by Brian and Craig Davidson, Errolston, Grenta, sold for 1,450gns to N and K Forshaw, Meadowside Farm. She was sired by Errolston Redesign and was the third generation bred by home bred sires.
Ian Leak from the Seabreeze herd sold an outstanding Gillette Stanleycup daughter just eight days fresh on sale day. She sold for 1,420gns to the Coulthard family, Justicetown Farm.
One of the eye-catching pedigrees in the catalogue was Tonian Seaver Inksou, sired by Seaver great granddaughter of the All Canadian Dreane Astre Inksou EX96. This stylish black heifer sold for 1,380gns to local breeder K Brough and Son, Bolton Low Houses, Wigton.
Lancaster
At the 50th anniversary show and sale of dairy cattle at Lancaster, one of the best shows of heifers were forward.
Topping trade in front of a packed ringside was Drinkall Bros, Catshaw Hall Farm, with Pennine Poppy 1179. Sired by Ked Outside Jeeves, this freshly calved cow giving 33kg sold to Messrs Coulthurst, Longridge, for £2,120.
Also breaking the £2,000 barrier, was the second prize cow, a second calver from R and E Butterfield. Bred from two generations of Ex cows, she sold giving 42 litres, for £2,080.
The champion heifer, Stardale Vast Vaakje 9, sired by Stardale Vast and from the renowned Vaakje family, sold to a final call of £1,980. The reserve champion, also from J Burrow and Son, Tunsteads Farm, Stardale Admiral Stella 2, sired by Smithden Admiral and supported by three generations of VG and Ex cows, achieved £2,050.
Commenting on trade auctioneers said all heifers sold to their full value, with an overall average of £1,575 for heifers, £95 up on the previous month and £1,650 for cows.
Gisburn
At Gisburn’s July pedigree sale (16 July) trade was brisk with buyers filling orders. Whytil Lavanguard Snowdrift took the champion rosette and sold at the day’s top price of 2,000gns. Out of a VG dam and giving 35 litres she went home with F Talbot Co.
WA and A Booth’s Feizor Shadow S Delia took the reserve slot and sold at £1,950 to a local pedigree breeder. She was by B-Crest Shadow and out of a 13,000kg dam.
Malcolm Fell, Newton, had a strong show of cattle with the first prize cow by Feizor Monty selling at £1,960 and heifers by Crackholm Fever and Twinfields Mr Hudson selling at £1,980 and £1,950.
A Bretherton, Inglewhite, sold a milky heifer by Emerald-Acr-Sa T-Baxter and out of the famous Daybreak family for £1,850. WA and A Booth were also in the money with a Gillette Jordan heifer out of the Squaw family going to North Wales at £1,900.
Non registered heifers peaked at £1,880 for Shackletons of Broughton Fields and £1,660 for veteran heifer rearer PK Smith who at over 80 is still as keen as ever. .