A De-Su Penley son with a genomic PLI £618
sold for a top price of 3,700gns at Holstein NI’s 27th annual spring
show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
Consigned by Londonderry breeders Robbie
Smith, and son Stuart, Prehen Forno ET is believed to be the highest GPLI bull
ever to sell at auction. His dam Prehen Altabarney Froukje VG87 is the current
number 2 PLI cow in the UK, and is a sister to the former number one PLI cow in
the UK Prehen Oman Froukje (EX-3E), and to Prehen Omen (EX94) the current
number one PLI UK-bred AI proven sire.
Prehen Forno’s granddam is the renowned
Prehen Goldwyn Froukje EX94-4E-17* LP 80, who gave 14,787kgs at 4.21% butterfat
and 3.66% protein in her fourth lactation.
After spirited bidding this November 2015
entry came under the hammer of auctioneer Michael Taaffe selling to WJ Presho
from Ballyrush, Comber, County Down.
Second highest bid of the day 3,500gns was
paid to Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore, County
Tyrone, for the fourth placed Relough Wembley ET PLI£514. Sired by Cogent
Supershot ET, he is backed by ten generations of VG or EX dams. His dam Relough
Lexor Roxy ET VG88-3yr-SP produced over 12,000kgs at 5.07%BF and 3.31%P in her
second 305-day lactation. Born in October 2015 he sold to David Todd from
Dungannon.
Also attracting a bid of 3,500gns was the
PLI class winner Hilltara Anatole PLI£472 bred by Sam and John McCormick from
Bangor. Another Supershot son, this yearling bull was bred from Hilltara
Shottle Amie EX who gave almost 11,000kgs at 4.51%BF and 3.11%P in her fourth
305-day lactation. Described by judge Mervyn Eager from County Dublin as a very
nice young bull, he was snapped up by Ivan McCabe from Castlewellan, County
Down.
Mervyn Eager awarded the supreme
championship honours, kindly sponsored by Danske Bank, to October 2015 Ards
Silver Ash PLI£340 bred by Harry Patton, and sons Wallace and Wilson, from
Newtownards. Sired by Seagull Bay Silver, his dam is the VG-2yr Ards Atwood
Ashlyn ET – champion at the HYB’s calf show in 2013, and reserve junior
champion at the Irish National Holstein Show in 2013. The champion commanded a
bid of 3,300gns from WJ Prehso, Comber. “The overall champion is a
well-structured bull,” commented the judge.
Next best at 3,100gns was the September
2015 born Newry Silverbay PLI£405 brought out by Jim and James Stevenson from
Kilkeel. Sired by the Mountfield SSI DCY Mogul son Seagull Bay Silver, he is
bred from Newry Doge Barbie VG88-3yr who gave over 11,500kgs at 4.55%BF and
3.12%P in her first lactation. This second prize winner caught the eye of
William Burns from Greystone, Dungannon.
The Stevenson duo also secured a bid of
3,000gns for the November 2015 born Newry Sharp Shooter ET PLI£337. Sired by
Cogent DG Superstyle, he is bred from Newry Gold Barbie ET who gave over
11,600kgs at 4.15%BF and 3.19%P in her fourth 305-day lactation. Buyer was
Robert Hamilton from Armagh.
The September 2015 born Ards Reinhart PLI£377
sold at 3,000gns for the Patton family. Sired by River Bridge Co-op Troy, he is
bred from Ards Zenith SJ Ruth ET EX94-6E who produced over 10,000kgs at 4.94%BF
and 3.52%P in her fifth 305-day lactation. Successful bidder was Charles
Davidson Snr from Ballywalter, County Down.
Reserve champion was the McLean family’s
Relough Ebay PLI£443, an October 2015 born Bryceholme SS Boastful son sold for
1,700gns.
The honourable mention award went to
first-time exhibitor Dean McAllister from Armoy, with the Mogul son Hollybrook
Sovereign ET PLI£397. He sold for 1,650gns.
Auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirmed a 75%
clearance with 25 bulls selling to level at £2,340 – an increase of £368 on the
same period last year.
Other leading prices include:
2,700gns – Relough Logo ET PLI£428 and
Relough Warlord PLI£523 from Ronald McLean and Sons.
2,400gns – Newry Goldpoll PLI£332 from Jim
and James Stevenson.
2,300gns – Relough Barry ET PLI£411 from
Ronald McLean and Sons.
