Sahara Holsteins top Genetic Elite sale at 15,000gns

Sahara Holsteins led Holstein UK’s Genetic Elite sale at Sedgemoor last Thursday (12 June), when selling the highest genomic PLI heifer ever sold in the UK for 15,000gns – the highest price ever achieved at Sedgemoor since it opened in 2008.

Sale leader was the October 2013 born Sahara Supersire Jessica, from Sahara Holsteins, Magor, Monmouthshire, who has a GPLI of £257 and is within the top 15 in the country. Sired by Seagull-Bay Supersire she is out of Hood ATM Jessica, who classified VG89 as a three year old and gave 10,421kg in her first lactation at 4.4% butterfat and 3.11% protein. Her full brother Sahara Jacob is one of the highest GPLI young bulls at Cogent’s stud. She joined the Dibble family’s Bycott herd in Devon.

David Jones, who manages the Sahara herd, and his wife Claire, went onto achieve the day’s second price lot when they sold their December 2013-born Wiltor Day Cherry for 10,100gns to Kyle Henry and family, Armagh, NI.

She was brought to the UK as an embryo and is bred from the Barbie. Her dam Farnear-TBR-BH Cash-O is a full sister to the bulls Cashcoin and Cashmoney. She is sired by Minnigan-Hills Day and has a GPLI of £190.

Next best when selling for 7,500gns was the August 2013-born heifer Shanael Uno Echo from the Miller family, Evesham, Worcester.  Bred from a VG87 Jeeves Dam from the UFM Dubs Eroy Family, she is sired by Amighetti Numero Uno and boasted the highest GTPI in the catalogue at 2310. She was purchased by to Nick Pole, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

Mark and Susan Nutsford made 5,800gns when they sold the July 2013 born Riverdane Allie Red to Mr Hussel for his Perrins herd, Beaworthy, Devon. This red heifer is sired by Poppe Snow and is out of Riverdane Roses Allie Red, who classified VG87 as a two year old and is currently giving 38kg daily.

Securing a bid of 5,000gns was the February 2014 born Coxongreen Doorman Barbie from Ron Tomkinson and Son, Leek, Staffordshire. This high type heifer is again bred from the Barbie family. Her sire is Val-Bisson Doorman and she has a GPLI of £129. Buyer was David Buchanan of Happy Holsteins, Northern Ireland.

Just shy of this at 4,900gns was Moorshard Meridian Alicia from Randolph and Brian Miller, Bridgwater, Somerset. Sired by Sully Hart Meridian she is out of Sahara Goldwyn Alicia, which was nominated All-Britain junior heifer in 2012 and gave 11,649kg in her last lactation at 4.23% butterfat and 3.33% protein. She headed to the Springbird herd with Mike Carr, Saltdean, Brighton.

Two lots made 4,200gns. First of these was the December 2013-born Gatrog Minicio Oralie from E and C Thomas, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire. Sired by Bertaiola Minicio she is out of Weeton Golden A Oralie Ex94, who is currently giving 49kg daily. Buyer was the Gould family, Woodmarsh herd, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Next at this money was the July 2013 born heifer Wintersell Mila 48th from the Downing Partnership, Edenbridge, Kent. Buyers were the Perrins herd.

Average: 53, £3,586 (81% clearance).

(Greenslade Taylor Hunt).