WITH TRADE RELENTLESS FOR 800 LOTS & COWS TO 2700 GNS!
The dispersal Sale of the large and very good Newcross Herd of pedigree Holsteins took place over two days on Monday/Tuesday 18/19th September at New Cross Farm, Herefordshire on behalf of R & AJ Manning & Son following David and Elizabeth’s decision to retire from milk production. The sale was certainly the largest and one of the best anywhere this autumn, with almost 800 head forward over the two days. Make no mistake, this was a great herd of unclassified cattle, their natural ability to produce large volumes of milk, their efficiency, high herd health and sound conformation attracted buyers from across the UK, with a total of 81 different buyers being recorded over the two days representing most regions and in particular throughout the Midlands, Wales, South West, Ireland and North to Cheshire.
DAY ONE
On the first day it was the turn of the milking portion together with all calves born within the last three months. A wonderful turnout of potential buyers flocked to New Cross Farm, with bids flying from every corner of the ring making for a great trade from start to finish. In just seven and a half hours over 470 lots were put through the ring as buyers fought to obtain volume of stock from this great herd of cows. As is the usual practice the older cows were sold first; they were in great demand, but by the time the younger cows and milking heifers were being sold trade was absolutely flying, the consistency of both trade and stock was testament to the levelness of the cattle on offer. Over the course of the day a grand total of 103 animals sailed passed 1800 gns, 36 of which passed 2000 gns, with purchasers able to obtain large volumes of cattle to suite most systems. That said, a definite trend followed throughout both days, with anything having calved within the last three months and or due before Christmas, a flyer.
The top price of the day was achieved for Newcross Altaesquire Bambi, a daughter of Ufm-Dubs Altaesquire who calved her second in May; she sold recently served to Applejax, giving a daily yield of 58.6 kg and was purchased for 2700 gns by Evans Bros of Aberystwyth. The second highest price of 2500 gns was for Newcross Raven Jane, the cover girl who looked just as good in the flesh as she does in her picture, had calved her fourth calf in July, again recently served to Applejax and giving 50 kg; she was purchased by G R Thomas of Llangennech, Carmarthen. 2400 gns was paid on two occasions, firstly for Newcross Altajenkins Memory, she had freshened with her second a month ago, giving 49.6 kg, travelling to Messrs Evans, Carmarthen. Next to follow at 2400 gns was Newcross Razor Rachael, again a cow that had freshened just a few weeks, this time with her third, already giving 44.5 kg and purchased by D Davies, Silian, Lampeter. Messrs Evans, Carmarthen then paid 2350 gns for Lot 278, Newcross Altajenkins Lacinia, a second calved cow, who had given an outstanding yield of 13495kg as a heifer and was sold giving 60.5 kg, having calved 4th August. Local purchaser RFJ & R Partridge, Hereford also paid 2350 gns for Newcross Altarazor Sue, sold giving 48.6 kg having calved in July and recently served with Sexed Solaris.
Heifer Calves were keenly sought throughout the day and topped at 700 gns for a daughter of Lissue Star, whose dam had just sold for 2300 gns, she crossed the water to Ian and Nigel Martin of Smithboro, County Monaghan in Eire. Not far behind at 680 gns was a Colonial daughter out of the 2050 gns Altaesquire Roxie; purchased by RH & MJ Hurford, Axminster. A further two sold for 650 gns, firstly for Colonial Anne 3rd, again selling to Ian & Nigel Martin and secondly for Nadal Miranda out of the 2100 gns heifer Altaross Miranda; purchased by T W Jones, Dolwen, North Wales.
DAY TWO
Trade on the first day was particularly pleasing, but trade for the maiden heifers and especially the yearlings surpassed expectations. In-calf heifers were a pleasure to sell, like peas in a pod, displaying great promise underneath, powerful and very well grown for age, in every section. Of the 144 in-calf heifers, almost half were sold recently served or not guaranteed. Lest we forget that within the maiden heifer section 100 were born in 2017 and 50 were under 3-5mo.
Top seller on the second day was Newcross Altaiota Rueful, due in October to Sexed Mr Miguel wgo and sold for 1800 gns to Messrs Evans, Aberystwyth. Next top price went to Altaross Jean 2nd, again an October calver, carrying Sexed Electrify going to EW Williams, Flintshire. Messrs Williams also paid 1620 gns for a daughter of Altaross, due to calve in December with Sexed Topsy, whose dam had given 17517kg in her fourth lactation. Local buyer A Gurney, Wigmore, Hereford paid 1600 gns for an October calving daughter of Altaross. Numerous heifers due in the autumn were keenly sought after readily making 1400 to 1800 gns, with anything due to calve before Christmas averaging £1477.
Maiden heifers were in very hot demand, particularly for the 10 to 13mo heifers, these strong cattle who genuinely were fit enough to bull sold time and time again in excess of 900 gns. Topping at 1000 gns for Newcross Altaiota Kate 2nd, out of the front cover cow who sold for 2500 gns on the first day, and selling to Jason Brown, Pirton. Wyndford Wagyu proved to be bulk purchasers on the second day, giving 950 gns on two occasions, firstly for 12 mo daughter of Altabookel and then for another yearling by Alta1stclass.
AVERAGES:
426 Cows and Milking Heifers (including 51 Heifer Calves born since November at £479.91) £1536.18; 144 In-calf and recently served heifers £1180.40; 161 Maiden Heifers (13 – 3mo) £657.59.
WRIGHT MARSHALL of Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire were the Auctioneers, in conjunction with Hassall Brothers.
