Pedigree Holstein heifers and cows continue to attract a strong demand at Dungannon’s monthly dairy sale conducted by Taaffe Auctions.
Prices reached a ceiling of 3,120gns and 3,000gns at the February sale, with auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirming a 95% clearance resulting in 96 milking females selling to average £1,796 per head.
Topping the day’s trade at 3,120gns was Ards Colt Sara Red VG 2yr, a potential eighth generation VG/EX second calver bred by Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards. This second prize winner was sired by Sandy Valley Colt P Red, and is bred from Ards Shottle Sara ET EX93-5E. She produced almost 10,500kgs at 3.75% fat and 3.47% protein in her first 305-day lactation. This one joins a County Tyrone herd.
Next best at 3,000gns was Sam and John McCormick’s Hilltara Bookem Reann. She was awarded the honourable mention prize by pre-sale judge Jim McCann, Bangor. Sired by the Ensenada Taboo Planet son De Su 521 Bookem, this one is out of the home-bred Hilltara Lauthority Reann 2 VG87 who gave over 7,700kgs at 3.64% fat and 3.07% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Calved five weeks and producing 36 litres per day, she joins Freddie and Richard Mackey’s herd at Dromore, County Down.
Sam and John McCormick also realised 2,850gns for the fourth placed Hilltara Iota Susan 2. This Regancrest Altaiota daughter is bred from Hilltara Jordette Susan VG88 who gave 10,807kgs at 4.06% fat and 3.20% protein in her second 305-day lactation. A potential eighth generation VG/EX she sold to Sean O’Brien from Poyntzpass.
A potential eighth generation VG/EX Seagull Bay MVP daughter came under the hammer at 2,750gns for Harry Patton and Sons. Ards MVP Alicia caught the eye of Will Herron from Newtownhamilton.
The Patton family claimed the Kilco-sponsored supreme championship ribbon, with Ards Grafeeti Kathy VG86-2yr. Calved four weeks and yielding 45 litres daily, she sold to a County Tyrone herd owner for 2,700gns. Sired by Ladys Manor RD Grafeeti, this young cow produced 6,830kgs at 4.18% fat and 3.35% protein in her heifer lactation, and is backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams.
Three lots sold for 2,300gns each. They included the reserve champion Hilltara Razor Charlotte, a potential eleventh generation VG/EX heifer from Sam and John McCormick. Sired by Mel Crest Altarazor, her dam is Hilltara Damion Charlotte VG87 LP60. Five weeks into her first lactation and producing 40 litres, she sold to Stephen McAllister from Dungannon.
Commercial cows peaked at 2,020gns, paid to John Mooney from Middletown, County Armagh, for a March 2014 born daughter of Wintersell Milo.
Springing heifers topped at 1,250gns, paid to Messrs A and I Mulligan, Augher, for an October 2014 Dodge daughter P’d in-calf to a Holstein sire.
Heifer calves reached a ceiling of 650gns, realised by Alan and David Irwin, Benburb, for Redhouse 1180 Altaiota Kim. This four-month-old heifer is by Regancrest Altaiota, and is bred from Redhouse 737X Lancelot Kim VG87 who gave 13,755kgs at 3.56% fat and 3.18% protein in her sixth lactation.
Other leading prices for milking heifers and cows include:
2,300gns –Hilltara Mardigras Wendy from Sam and John McCormick; Lisnamuck Goldfish Froukje 4 from S Fullerton, Maghera.
2,250gns –Abercorn Rob Elegance from David and Alan Wallace, Antrim.
2,200gns – Hilltara Supersire Meggie and Hilltara Glauco Rachel from Sam and John McCormick; and Relough Generate Danna 2 from Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore.
2,150gns – Hilltara Atwood Susan from Sam and John McCormick; Relough Generate Roxie from Ronald McLean and Sons; and Killane Kauto Starlet 15 from Austin and David Perry, Ahoghill.
2,080gns – Hilltara Iota Maude 7 from Sam and John McCormick.
2,020gns – Hilltara Shamrock Charlotte from Sam and John McCormick; Relough Camaro Jessica from Sam and John McCormick.
2,000gns – Glasson Numero Uno G Gail from Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown; Carnhill Levi Grainne 2 from Conor Casey, Cloughmills; and Relough Twist Roxie 2 from Ronald McLean and Sons.
