OTMS optimism aids Soberton Holsteins
OTMS optimism aids Soberton Holsteins
OPTIMISM about the removal of the weight restriction on OTMS cattle among buyers at the dispersal of Anson Farms Soberton Holstein herd set off the trade for older cows at a cracking pace.
No cow made under 300gns, and there were plenty making over 500gns and up to 700gns. But the crowd that gathered at Lawnhead, near Stafford, saved their biggest spending for the younger entry, with the 39 post-Christmas calving heifers achieving a healthy £740 average.
In-calf heifers trade was encouraging, with 35 levelling at £642 and a large batch of younger heifers, most of which were empty, averaging £402. This was one of the largest sales of black-and-white cattle this spring, and it drew a huge crowd, with 68 different buyers in action from 20 counties. The sale rate was over 50 head an hour, and saw large wagonloads of cattle taken by Simcock Bros from Herefords, Lowick Manor Farms, Northants and J P Fisher, Longtown, Carlisle.
Anson Farms have decided to quit dairying; the incoming tenant of the dairy unit bought 40 head.
But it was well known Shropshire breeder John Gough who gave the days highest price of 1700gns for Soberton Integrity Cypress. This milking heifer by Robthom Integrity joins his Primo herd at Newport.
Adding several head to his Longlane herd at Winsford, Cheshire was Roger Nicholas, who gave most for Soberton Jolt Patsy, a milking heifer taken at 1100gns. Sharing the wagon home was another Integrity daughter out of a 12,300kg Broker dam. She made 1050gns.
Daventry, Northants dairy farmer Brian Whitfield, a regular buyer at recent sales, also gave 1050gns for the February-calved heifer Soberton Patron Lucy.
The events 55 heifer calves at foot met a buoyant trade, averaging £245 and reaching 400gns. In-calf heifers sold to 950gns, given by Brian Whitfield for Soberton Dombinator Gemma ET PI by Moet Showboy Gemma A (Ex-93). And the same buyer also took a served heifer by Integrity, bred from the Crichel Favourite family at 860gns.
Yearlings reached 720gns, paid for Soberton Ice Quality, a Ro-Dene Aero Fenella Ice daughter, bred from the Huddlesford Quality family. Buyer was Mr Whitfield.
Averages 195 cows and calved heifers £673, 35 served heifers £624, and 63 recently served and maiden heifers £402. (Norton and Brooksbank with Bagshaws.) *