Heifers continue to attract a strong demand at the Dungannon Dairy Sale conducted by Taaffe Auctions.

 

Auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirmed a 97% clearance at the November sale, with 67 lots changing hands to level at £1,763 per head. Prices ranged from 700gns to a top of 3,100gns.

 

Sale leader at 3,100gns was the pre-sale show’s reserve champion Hilltara Dorcy Ianina PLI £206 from Sam and John McCormick’s Bangor-based herd. Sired by the Sandy Valley Bolton son Coyne Farms Dorcy ET, she is bred from Hilltara Fever Ianina VG86 who averaged 7,961kgs at 4.43% fat and 3.10% protein in two 305-day lactations. Calved four weeks and producing 40 litres per day, this one caught the eye of a County Tyrone pedigree breeder.

 

The pre-sale show was generously sponsored by Dankse Bank, and judged by Holstein Young Breeder Mark Henry from the noted Mostragee Herd in Stranocum, County Antrim. 

 

Mark Henry also found his supreme champion in Sam and John McCormick’s Hilltara consignment which saw 12 lots sell to level at £2,050 per head. 

 

Claiming the Danske Bank championship rosette was Hilltara Album Charlotte PLI £269. She is by the Genervations Epic son Silverbridge Album ET, and is out of a home-bred Lirr Drew Dempsey daughter who averaged 7,457kgs at 4.06% fat and 3.6% protein in two 305 day lactations. This potential eleventh generation VG/EX heifer calved over three weeks ago and is producing 36 litres daily. Highest bidders at 2,350gns were ST and WH Irwin from Tynan, County Armagh.

 

Second highest price of the day 2,900gns, was paid to Ronald and McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, Donaghmore, for the unshown Relough Shottle Jessica 5 PLI £118. This potential seventh generation VG/EX heifer sold to pedigree herd owner Richard Watt from Mountain View Farm, Augher.  Sired by Picston Shottle, she is bred from Relough Talent Jessica 4 ET EX92-2E who produced over 11,500kgs in her fourth lactation. 

 

The McLean family offered a quality entry of fresh calved heifers from their noted Relough Herd, selling 21 lots to average £1,930 per head.

 

The honourable mention award winner Killane Kauto Cactus 62 PLI £75 came under the hammer at 1,920gns for brothers Austin and David Perry, Ahoghill. She is by the home-bred Charlesdale Superstition son Killane Kauto, and is out of Killane Bluesky Cactus 59 who gave over 11,400kgs at 3.34% fat and 3.31% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Buyer was Will Herron from Newtownhamilton.

 

Non-pedigree dairy stock topped at 1,700gns twice, paid to Gary and Michael McHenry from Aghagallon, County Armagh.  First to sell was a Glenton daughter, one month calved and yielding 28 litres per day. She was the first placed commercial heifer and sold to Trevor and Noel Muldrew, Armagh. 

 

Messrs Muldrew also snapped up the McHenry’s second placed commercial heifer. Calved three weeks this one is by Alta CEO and is producing 25 litres per day.

 

Ronald McLean and Sons also realised 2,600gns for the January 2015 bull Relough Dancom ET PLI £474. Sired by Seagull Bay MVP ET, he is bred from nine generations of VG and EX dams, and sold to James Walker, Randalstown.