Baronwood dispersal sees eager buyers
Baronwood dispersal sees eager buyers
A LIFELONG interest in Holstein breeding – which began with the purchase of his first pedigree cow when he was just 13 – culminated in a strong trade at the dispersal of Barry Armstrongs Baronwood herd.
The Armathwaite-based herd, which was moved to Carlisle mart for the sale, attracted buyers looking for top pedigree cattle and commercial milk producers seeking hard-wearing cows offering type and production. The event saw a top of 7000gns, paid twice by the same buyer and an £1038 average for the 60 cows in-milk and/or in-calf.
Breeders looking beyond the prevailing situation within the dairy sector sought investments for the future and it was the 11-month-old calf Baronwood Formation Star that was first at 7000gns.
Record yielder
By Shen-Val NV LM Formation, this calf is out of the all-time record yielding 2nd lactation cow Bond Haven South Star that gave 25,085kg in 365 days.
During her third note she peaked at 21 gallons a day. This cow had the highest UK PIN value (£142) and ITEM (£145) in spring 1996.
Formation Star – Pedigree Index 1206, PIN £124, ITEM £130 – was bought by D R Robinson, Clapham, Lancaster. And he was back in the action again for another young heifer, the April 1997-bred Baronwood CMF Princess.
This good prospect is by Ellbank Airliner and out of the Cypress-Hill Laban sired Premier-G Laban Precious which gave 17,207kg in her third note. She has a Pedigree Index of 955, PIN £76 and ITEM £81.
The next lot in the ring maintained the momentum of confident bidding but this time it was for proven production achieved by the second calver Medal Jed Jennifer who gave 13,700kg as a heifer and followed it with 18,500kg in her second lactation.
By Rotate Jed and out of AE Inspiration Janette, she was sold with three Grade A embryos by Comestar Lee. Buyer was D ONeil, Co Antrim.
Averages: 69 cows £1038; 24 bulling heifers £1151; seven served heifers £1053 and three bulls £1540. (Harrison and Hetherington)