Pedigree Holsteins heifers reached a ceiling of 2,900gns at the March sale in Dungannon.

 

Auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirmed a 93% clearance rate, with 69 lots selling to average £1,663 per head.

 

Sale topper at 2,900gns was Relough Donzo Vaakje PLI £183, a potential twelfth generation VG/EX heifer from Ronald McLean and Sons. Sired by the Currajugle Gonzo son Relough Donzo, her dam is Relough Bastion Vaakje VG88 who produced 8,097kgs at 3.14% butterfat and 3.21% protein in her first lactation. 

 

Second highest bid of the day 2,300gns was paid to Aidan McAfee for Drumeil Golden Delicia 2 ET PLI £295. Sired by Kulp Dale Golden PP Red, this potential twelfth generation VG/EX heifer is bred from Riverdown V Snowman Delicat ET VG86. 

 

Judge Simon Haffey, Portadown, awarded the supreme championship ribbons sponsored by Teemore Engineering, to Burnhill Sabre Victoria PLI £118, bred by Charlie Weir. This Glasson Sabre ET daughter was bred from Burnhill Billion Victoria GP81. Calved in February and producing 40 litres daily, the champion sold for 2,150gns.

 

Cows peaked at 2,080gns, paid to the McLean family for Relough Cruise Jessica 2 PLI £365. Sired by Wiltor Cruise, she is bred from Relough Bolton Jessica 2 EX91-2E. 

 

A draft offering of heifer calves from the Stevenson family’s noted Newry herd peaked at 2,050gns, and resulted in 24 lots selling to average £808 per head.

 

Sale leader was the five-month-old Newry Superstyle Barbie ET PLI £337. Sired by Cogent DG Superstyle, her dam is Newry Gold Barbie ET EX93 2E SP who averaged 12,653kgs at 4.44% butterfat and 3.20% protein in four 305-day lactations. This potential eighth generation VG/EX heifer was snapped up by Ryan Flynn from Kircubbin, County Down.