Pedigree Guernsey herd is dispersed
Pedigree Guernsey herd is dispersed
BRITAINS oldest pedigree herd of Guernsey cattle was dispersed last week when almost 95 years of breeding came to an end for the Bolitho family in Cornwall.
Their Trengwainton herd, run on the family estate at Madron, Penzance can trace cattle back to the first registrations made in 1905. Among the most notable to carry the prefix was the bull Trengwainton Guardian, the top Guernsey bull for milk and quality improvement for many years.
Top call came from Isle of Wight breeder R L Poulter who gave 1050gns for the in-calf cow Trengwainton Dozy, a daughter of Shenmont Agni Fortune. She had earned £1010 from her heifer lactation of 4524kg based on 23p/litre.
Mr Poulter took two other lots. Penbryn Pioneers Fortune, a second calver by Maple Leaf Grenadiers Pioneer, gave 5792kg as a heifer and realised 1000gns. At the same price Mr Poulter secured the third calver Trengwainton Bronze, a Shalford Malplaquet daughter with a 6100kg heifer lactation followed by a 6376kg performance with her second.
Best trade for calved heifers took prices to 780gns for the Trengwainton Vulcan sired Trengwainton Education bought by R Nicholas, Pembrokeshire. Served heifers peaked at 680gns and yearlings at 250gns.
Averages: 95 cows in-milk £430; four calved heifers £577; 10 dry cows £581; 35 served heifers £302; 31 yearlings £137 and 10 heifer calves £72. (Greenslade Taylor Hunt) *