Carlisle sneaks in before crisis
Carlisle sneaks in before crisis
THE FULL impact of the foot-and-mouth epidemic had not hit dairy farmers at Carlisle as they gathered for the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club show and sale where 53 head averaged £835.
Unaware of the developing crisis bidders took 14 lots to 1000gns plus at the Borderway venue, even though Northern Ireland buyers had already been sidelined following the ban on exports, because of foot-and-mouth disease.
Harrison and Hetheringtons auctioneer Edward Brown described the bidding as fierce as local pedigree and commercial buyers were willing to pay a premium for the top end of the entry. The Wilson family from Wreay, near Carlisle enjoyed a double victory taking the championship and achieving the top price with two entries.
Top call came for Petteril Dombinator Clarissa 216th. This January-born calved heifer is another from this herds hard-wearing and exceptionally milky Clarissa family. Her dam, by Deslacs Midnight, is classified Ex and gave 10,198kg in her fifth lactation. Buyer at 1500gns was E Ewing.
The calved heifer Peterril Leadership Clarissa 212nd stood champion under local Holstein breeder David Hodgson of the Wormanby herd. She realised 1020gns to Scottish dairy farmers * Smith and Sons who run the Barneighthill herd at Mauchline, Ayrshire.
There were more accolades for the family when Stephen and Ann Morley saw their young bull, Petteril Dusk, win the reserve male title and go on to make the days second highest price of 1450gns.
He is by Tallen Jonah and out of the twice 10,000kg plus dam Petteril Skybuck Dusky. Buyer was J B Harrison, Wigton, Cumbria.
J B and J Hanely, Maryport, Cumbria, paid 1000gns for the reserve female champion paraded by Messrs Blenkiron Worsdale from their herd at Bedale, North Yorks.
Meeks Skybuck Jess, another from their herd, dropped her second calf in early January after a heifer lactation of 7300 kg.
Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, consignor I C Wakley offered a batch of freshly calved heifers from his Walescot herd. His best price was 1150gns given by J and W Baillie, Thankerton, Biggar, for a daughter of Firth Celsius.
There was also an offering of heifers from Hexham farmers E C Spence and Sons who sold to 1000gns for a Comestar Lee daughter.
Averages: 53 cows and heifers in-milk £835 and two bulls £1207. (Harrison and Hetherington) *