Pedigree and commercial dairy cattle continue to attract strong demand at Dungannon, with December prices soaring to a top of 3,200gns and 64 lots changing hands to level at £1,907 per head.

 

Leading trade was the reserve champion Relough Windbrook Primrose GP84-2yr PLI £144. This second calver was consigned by Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore.

 

Sired by Gillette Windbrook ET, she is bred from the Sandy Valley Bolton daughter Relough Bolton Primrose 2 GP82. This young cow calved six weeks ago and is producing 48 litres daily. In her first 305-day lactation she gave 8,355kgs at 4.63% butterfat and 3.16% protein. 

 

Next best at 3,050gns was the honourable mention award winner Killane Uno Flora 118, a potential 11th generation VG/EX heifer bred by brothers Austin and David Perry, Ahoghill.  Sired by Amighetti Numero Uno ET, her dam Killane Leif Flora 106 VG88 averaged 9,060kgs at 3.94% butterfat and 3.18% protein in three 305-day lactations. Calved three weeks and yielding 30 litres daily, she joins William and David Parke’s herd at Ballyward, County Down.

 

The pre-sale show was judged by David Simpson from the Damm Herd based at Lisburn. He awarded the supreme championship ribbons to Hilltara Planet Mary PLI £137 from Sam and John McCormick’s Bangor-based herd. Calved four weeks and producing 40 litres per day, she attracted a bid of 2,800gns from Gordon Davis, Dromore, County Tyrone. This heifer is by Ensenada Taboo Planet, and is out of the EX91 Hilltara Lotto Mary who gave 10,338kgs at 4.77% butterfat and 3.51% protein in her fourth 305-day lactation.