Swell Holsteins reach 2750gns

A good crowd assembled at Rectory Farm, Stow-on-the-Wold for the dispersal of the Messrs Oughton’s old established Swell herd. With a history of over 70 years the prefix is one of the oldest in the black & white breed. Over 40 buyers were registered from as far afield as Essex and Pembrokeshire and there were a total of 14 Welsh buyers among the determined bidders who claimed a large number of cattle.

There were 16 animals at 2000gns and over with several others heading towards 2000gns. Bidders were cautious about anything with a blemish but were quick to bid for the best sorts. Top call came from Philip Robertson, Wootton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire who runs a high yielding herd. He gave 2750gns for the stylish Swell Bandana Deidre 49 who had calved two months ago and was giving 45 litres.

Richard Jenkins, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire purchased 14 milkers for his Dawesford herd including the second top priced entry – Swell Emperor Pansy 166. She was two-months calved and made 2250gns.

Calves at foot were a lively trade averaging £506 and peaking at 680gns for a Sandy-Valley Denethor daughter out of a 2000gns Kendall dam. Served heifers looked the best value on the day selling up to 1780gns for a Toystory daughter, but buyers able to buy late summer calving heifers due at two years old for 12-1400gns. The yearling heifers were more keenly sought reaching 1100gns twice.

Averages: 180 cows and calved heifers £1489; 67 served heifers £1200; 49 maiden heifers £803.

(Norton and Brooksbank with Gwilym Richards and Co)