The Month End Focus Milk Sale of Pedigree and Commercial Dairy Cattle attracted an entry of 123 Fresh Calved Cows and Heifers and Incalf Heifers for this regular monthly sale. The sale included the Shorthorn Society’s Autumn Show & Sale (See separate report) and entries of pedigree Holstein cattle under the Western Holstein Club’s Focus Milk banner.

 

A fantastic trade was experienced from start to finish, which was certainly the best so far this year and, not surprisingly, every animal forward sold to quick bidding and found a new home. This resulted in theHGB highest averages attained in 2016 with milking heifers levelling at £1536. A good ring of buyers were present backed up by many large scale commercial milk producers who certainly made their presence felt competing strongly for the entry which was generally of great quality. Several buyers were present from the local area and its surrounding counties as well as a good number to Leicestershire and beyond.

 

Top price was £2020 for one of a fantastic consignment from regular Scottish vendor, Gavin Struthers of Balcurvie Holsteins in Windygates, Fife. This was for Balcurvie Smokin Freya by Misty Springs Smokin who was sold giving 34 kg to JL & EM Parker & Son of Haughton Stafford. The Parkers also purchased the Warnelview Colt daughter, Balcurvie Colt Yvonne for £2000. The fifteen heifers from Gavin Struthers averaged £1633.

 

The next top seller at £1950 was a super heifer from Richard Atkin of Byley, Middlewich with a great pedigree; Yatehouse Addison Rachel is a daughter of Riverdane Addison and bred from 9 generations of VG/EX dams from the August family and was purchased by TH Jones of Gresford, Wrexham. Balcurvie then had three heifers by Lauthority, Pellerat DVD and Netherside Graham selling at £1800 and £1780 twice and all purchased by B & M Elkin & Sons of Hilderstone, Stone, Staffordshire and another at £1780 by Zelgadis selling to the Parker’s. Also at £1780 was a Lars-Actres Shot Trigger daughter from Alan and Caroline Oakes of Byley who also sold a Dorcy heifer at £1750.

 

Cow trade was on fire with a top of £1700 being achieved for a second calver from by Sandy-Valley Xray from Billockby Farms Ltd of Great Yarmouth with another by Windbrook from Grantchester Farms of Audlem selling for £1650.

 

However, and for the second month running at this sale it was the prices achieved for incalf heifers which were the ‘trade of the day.’ A lovely consignment of strong December calvers with great udder promise from Peter and Audrey Howard of Darnhall, Winsford sold to £1620 with four others from £1500 to £1550.

AVERAGES: (All Breeds)

Calved Cows £1218.88; Calved Heifers £1536.34; Incalf Heifers £1423.07. Calves £220.00 

 

WRIGHT MARSHALL of Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire were the Auctioneers.