Strong local crowd at Beeston sees prices hit 1780gns

A good crowd of mainly local buyers were in attendance at Beeston Castle Auction last Monday for the dispersal of the Wigland herd of pedigree Holsteins on behalf of Mark and Anne Bowden, Malpas who have decided to cease milk production.

Top price was 1780gns for a fresh second calver sired by Roylane Jordan; Wigland Jordan Rita (GP82-2yr) had given 9190 kg as a heifer and sold giving nearly 40 kg daily to P Roberts of Llanerchymedd, Anglesey.

Another Jordan daughter was next in line at 1750gns when P and S Tushingham of Clotton, Tarporley purchased Wigland Jordan Duchess who is carrying a Shottle calf due in January.

Wrexham buyers, Mr and Mrs Howard Mapp purchased many of the better milkers and these included the last two milking heifers in the sale for which they paid 1720 and 1700gns respectively for Wigland Shottle Una and Wigland Jay Daphne.Trade for the in-calf and maiden heifers was very brisk with buyers in particular competing fiercely for the daughters of Shottle. The top for in-calf heifers was 1550gns which was achieved on five occasions, three of which were Shottle daughters, one by Jayson and one by Tully.

Maiden heifers sold to 1300gns for a 12-month old daughter of Shottle taken by a South Wales buyer whilst three others by the same sire sold between 1220 and 1280gns and all three were purchased by a Somerset breeder. Heifer calves sold to 1000gns twice both for daughters of Shottle.

Averages: 105 Cows and Milking Heifers (including 24 heifer calves at £556.06) £1151.00; 20 Served Heifers £1397.03; 17 Maiden heifers £1040.74. 142 HEAD £1173.00 (Wright Manley).