£726 average at Penrith reduction sale
£726 average at Penrith reduction sale
By Jeremy Hunt
A GOOD average of £726, six four-figure bids and a top price of 1400gns marked the latest major reduction sale from the Notts-based Mickleborough Holstein herd.
Owners Latham Farms of Newark brought a quality selection of stock to the Sale Centre at Kirkby Thore, Penrith. The herds entire milking portion, comprising cattle of three lactations or less, attracted a good crowd including many buyers who had bought at previous Mickleborough fixtures.
The herd was the first of over 250 cows to achieve an average yield of 10,000kg. The current average is 9562kg at 4.03% butterfat and 3.2% protein. Over 73 cows on offer had classified VG or GP.
It was a newly-calved cow giving 47kg a day that drew the top bid when Andrew Birkle claimed Mickleborough Buster Poll Bangle 78th for his Whinchat herd at Loughborough, Leics. This second calver has a PIN of +£60 and is by Fustead Blackstar Buster and out of a 12,300kg Hanoverhill Lincoln cow tracing back to Dalesend Cascade.
South coast dairy farmer Michael Carr is a big fan and added Mickleborough Drew Cynthia 150th to his Springbird herd based near Brighton. This VG85-2yr calved heifer by Hilltop-Hanover B Drew was giving 36kg a day after 190 days in-milk.
She also goes back to Dalesend Cascade via her fourth dam, the 69 tonne Mickleborough Cynthia 97th, and was in-calf for August to Lystel Leduc.
There was strong support from Cumbrian farmers but transactions included buyers from Northern Ireland and Aberdeenshire.
Members of the Mopsy family met a firm demand with 1120gns given for Mickleborough Lieutenant Mopsy 136th. This young cow, by Hanoverhill Lieutenant and out of a Valiant Rockie dam, gave 10,290kg as a heifer and 11,400kg with her second calf. She was served in August by Comestar Leader.
Her sister, Mickleborough Drew Mopsy 142nd, was taken to 1020gns by a telephone bid from Simon Jones acting on behalf of FW Read & Sons, Alford, Lincs.
Average: 101 head £726. (Norton and Brooksbank) *