The Famous Wright Marshall Mid Month Dairy Cattle Sale including sections for the Western Holstein Club’s Focus Milk pedigree cows and heifers attracted an entry of 308 head of which 247 were forward on the day. 2017 has been a challenging year, both as an industry and on a personal level, capped off by the adverse weather conditions witnessed over the last couple of days. The wonderful support from both vendors and purchasers, in particular those who braved the sub-zero temperatures at today’s sale, may I thank you all for your support in 2017. As most of you know Clive Norbury was unfortunate to suffer a heart attack back in July, he continues to make an excellent recovery and is now a regular visitor to Beeston, both in the office and on Sale days, meeting and greeting clients, and aims to ease himself back into his regular role in 2018.

Trade today was once again remarkable, particularly when you consider the detrimental factors in selling near 250 dairy cattle in half a foot of snow, and the Arctic weather. The smaller entry forward naturally came as a consequence of the conditions, as decker’s were stranded in the midlands and vendors busy thawing pipes as home. All bar one failed to find a new home, with a total of 40 active purchasers in attendance on the day. The quality of stock once again was a credit to all who consigned, with the best cattle once again a flying trade with 28 selling in excess of £2000.

Heifers met fierce competition, emphasised by the list of top prices below:

Lot                              Animal Name                           Calving date            Yield         Vendor                                                          Price

155                             S. Guarini Sunny                      1^st November          36kg        JJ & GE Eastham                                        £2350

123                             C. Euphoric Melody                10^th November       33kg        Balcurvie Holsteins                                   £2350

157                             S. Milo Tour                              1^st November          35kg        JJ & GE Eastham                                        £2350

121                             B. Topsy Hink                           25^th November       30kg        Balcurvie Holsteins                                   £2300

120                             B. Euphoric Rose                      18^th November       31kg        Balcurvie Holsteins                                   £2300

115                             B. Topsy Amie                          22^nd November      31kg        Balcurvie Holsteins                                   £2250

113                             B. Everready Dotto                 15^th November       35kg        Balcurvie Holsteins                                   £2250

117                             B. Topsy Olivia                         5^th November         33kg        Balcurvie Holsteins                                   £2250

150                             W. Epic Donna                         4^th December          28kg        T Cowell                                                        £2220

118                             B. Goodwhone Samurai        22^nd November      32kg        Balcurvie Holsteins                                   £2200

172                             E. Sammy Doris 72nd            25^th November       32kg        Emerald Grove Farms Ltd                      £2200

140                             G. Denethor Tamzin 2nd      2^nd December         28kg        R D Bramall                                                  £2120

136                             G. Denethor Belise                  13^th November       32kg        R D Bramall                                                  £2120

67                               Unregistered Heifer                16^th November       35kg        TM & JM Bowes                                        £2080

158                             S. Windsor Erin                        12^th November       28kg        JJ & GE Eastham                                        £2050

133                             J. Kam Hester                           27^th November       28kg        TM & JM Bowes                                        £2050

189                             L. Jackpot Sue                          25^th November       36kg        Lachstone Farms Ltd                                £2050

IN-CALF HEIFERS

31 In-calf heifers met a decent trade, but perhaps lacking a little power within the section. Topping the trade was a pedigree heifer from DW & MN Ishmael, an early January calving Mincio daughter, sold in-calf to Angus was purchased for £1380. Again from Messrs Ishmael and second in line was a Sammy daughter, sold in-calf to Angus for February, selling for £1300. £1240 was paid for a mid-January calving unregistered heifer, in-calf to Hereford from E Jones, with the majority of the entry selling between £1050 and £1200.

MAIDEN HEIFERS

An entry of 34 were forward on the day, and perhaps the weather had the largest effect on this section. That said, trade was dominated by a superb entry from the University of Liverpool, with quality yearlings selling between £600 and £900, topping at £910 for a Ceasar daughter.

BULLS

3 Hereford stock Bulls were present, topping at £1900 for a 21mo from J E Jones & Son, with others selling for £1600 at 22mo for the same vendor and £1550 for a senior bull born 2011 for E Jones & Son.

Finally on behalf of everyone at Wright Marshall, may I wish you alls a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2018.

AVERAGES:

30 Cows £1279.47; 149 Milking Heifers £1600.37; 31 In-calf Heifers £1007.33; 34 Maiden Heifers £553.85.

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