The Dispersal of the entire milking portion of the Winfarthing Herd of pedigree Holsteins on behalf of ES Cole & Sons Ltd., of Park Farm, Winfarthing, Nr. Diss Norfolk took place at Beeston Castle Auction on Monday 22nd May.

 

This old established herd was formed in early fifties and has been a closed herd for most of that period since apart from the purchase of a couple of groups of young stock in the noughties. The main factor about this herd that it was almost entirely calving from mid July to December and there were no fresh cows whatsoever. Nevertheless they achieved a remarkably good average of almost £1250 per cow with no less than 20 animal selling in excess of 1700 gns up to 2450 gns including another four at 2000 gns or more.

 

The top price animal was Winfarthing Vale 100th (VG85), a fourth generation VG daughter of Gillette Windbrook who calved her second in January and was PD’d back in calf to calve in December to the Angus. She was sold giving 34.5 kg and purchased by a local Cheshire breeder for 2450 gns. This same breeder also purchased the next two animals ranked in the price list at 2050 gns each; Shottle Pennyroyal (VG85) and Shottle Rosie (VG88) are both milking with their second lactations and due again to McCormick in the late summer and both were giving in excess of 30 kg still.

 

Two animals made 2000 gns each; the first of these was Homestead Rita 49th (VG87) still giving 38 kg and due with her fourth in November. She sold to John Minshull of Tean Staffordshire whilst R & ME Jones & Son of Llanfechell, Anglesey purchased Gerard Glade 87th ((GP81) who was due with her third in August to Muster.

 

Four animals sold at 1900 each; the eldest of these was Masterpiece Hazel 110th (Ex90), a daughter of Denmire Masterpiece milking in here fourth and giving 41 kg daily. She sold to Tony Wilson of Fradswell, Stafford. John Minshull purchased the second calver Bossman Brightstar 6th (GP80) who calved in February whilst the previously mentioned Cheshire breeder secured Goldenboy Freedom 194th (VG88) a January calved third lactation cow and Gerard Judith 213th (GP83), a second calver due again in November at this price.

 

A good herd of cows with good health status and several purchasers from Cumbria to Wales combined to make this a very successful sale.

 

AVERAGES:

172 cows and milking heifers (including all those with faults or long dated) £1248. 28.

 

WRIGHT MARSHALL of Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire were the Auctioneers.