Auctioneers: Wright Marshall

The Famous Mid Month Dairy Sale including a section for Pedigree Holstein cattle under the Focus Milk banner for members of the Western Holstein Club attracted an entry 240 head for its October event at Beeston Castle Auction. Some 226 head were forward on the day and we are pleased to report that a 100% total clearance was effected. 

MILKERS 

One of the smallest entries on record of just 166 milkers witnessed a decent trade for most commodities on offer and all selling at improved rates than of late. Cows in particular and the best heifers were much dearer with just the plainer, second class heifers seeing no improvement. Buyers were present from Lancashire to West Wales as well as being well supported from plenty of local buyers too. There 30 animals that realised £1,500 or more. 

The top seller was an outstanding heifer from local breeders, Graham and Barbara Bell of Ridley, Tarporley with their Irthingvale Matson Prudence, a daughter of their EX92 former show cow, Irthingvale Shottle Prudence A who is the fourth generation classified in the top two grades. She was purchased for £2,200 by Chris Wilson of Marchington Woodlands, Uttoxeter. 

The next seven top prices were all from a wonderful consignment of 20 calved heifers from the Dilandy herd of Andrew Shakeshaft of Ellesmere. These was an outstanding group of strong heifers that were in great condition and full of milk. Their top seller at £1,850 was Dilandy Goldfish Gema 4, a heifer who was six week calved giving kg which sold to a local milk producer. He then sold three at £1,800 each – a Regelcreek Shot Al going to Richard Probin of Chorley, Nantwich; a Mincio going to R Forrester of Dilhorne, Stoke-on-Trent and a Larcrest Concrete selling at £1,800 to Brian Parker of Haughton, Stafford who also purchased a Hayden Daughter at £1,780. Also at £1,780 was a Goldfish daughter selling to N C Bowdler & Sons Ltd. of Halfway House, Shrewsbury and a Wyman heifer sold at £1,750. 

Probably the best trade of the day was for the cows which set off at a rip roaring rate for every animal as long as they looked like plenty of milk and to be fair there were several good cows presented for sale. The two top prices were £1,550 and these were both for animals bred in Tom Cowell’s Whitecarr Herd at Kirkham, Preston. The first was a GP82 third calver by Xacobeo and the other was a VG85-2yr second calver by Stanleycup; both were purchased by J & N Hull & Sons of Winmarleigh, Preston. Another from the same home by Lynbrook Steffan made £1,520 to J A C J Sherwin of Sproston, Middlewich. 

IN-CALF HEIFERS 

There was a nice entry of 34 served heifers, but not too many that close with most lying off to December and beyond. Top seller at £1,110 was a daughter of JZM Goldenboy due at the end of November from S G Quantrill & Sons of Bungay, Suffolk. 

MAIDEN HEIFERS 

Just like the in-calf heifers these appear to be the best buy on the market of any commodity of any breed! In our opinion these must be the best investment anyone can make at the moment. Top price was only £680 for a 14-month old daughter of Wa-Del Hayden from A G Hedges Farms Ltd of Oxfordshire with several others from the same home selling for £500 upwards.