The 24th Borderway Black and White Sale on Saturday 4th December at Carlisle continues to maintain its reputation as being the best National Sale venue to both sell and purchase top quality dairy heifers.
Harrison & Hetherington’s prestigious event averaged almost £4,500 despite the inclement weather conditions prevailing over the region with the sale resulting in an 80% clearance of animals forwarded. Four heifer calves achieved over 10,000gns, selling to a top price of 13,000gns for a March born calf from Andrew and Debi McKellar of Drointon Holsteins. For several years the McKellar family of Staffordshire have “knocked on the door” of top honours at this prestigious event with classy show heifers on offer from great pedigrees.
On Saturday, homebred Drointon Million Rosie (Lot 54) fulfilled a dream for Andrew & Debi who apart from milking a good commercial dairy herd, are specialists in developing elite stock for flushing and showing. The family’s “Best” company has grown successfully over the past 11 years – a relatively short time to become established as a leader in flushing and fertility services.
Following the sale of their high genomic index show calf, sired by England-Ammon Million, out of the nominated All Britain show heifer Ridgefield Shottle Rosie VG87 2yr, Andrew paid tribute to the late Henry Griffiths of the famous South Scotland Dingleburn herd, who had been a tremendous help and inspiration when the McKellars started out on the pedigree Holstein ladder.
“I came to the first ever Black & White Sale with my father and dreamed that one day, I might breed and sell the top price heifer at the sale. Today I have achieved this ambition and I hope she performs well for her new owners, the Yates family of Meikle Firthhead,” he said.
Other breeders whose loyalty to the B&W for very many years was again rewarded were the Dennison and Dent families of Denmire and Bridgend Holsteins. Their four month old, jointly owned heifer calf Bridge End Denmire Alexander Smoothie (Lot 78) by Golden-Oaks St Alexander out of the Canadian heifer Misty Springs Shottle Smoothie VG88, achieved 11,500gns and now joins the Yatehouse Herd of Messrs Atkins, Cheshire.
Close behind at 10,500gns was a hugely admired 16 month old heifer from first time consignor Philip Metcalf of Metcalf Farms, Leyburn. The show winning maiden Washfold Bolton Sharon (Lot 14) a daughter of the locally bred Roevalley Goldwyn Chartruse VG88 3yr is descended from the same cow family that bred the renowned Picston Shottle. Chartruse will now grace the “Showgirl” team from Monmouthshire.
At 10,000gns, was another Million daughter, Maineview Million Barbie bred from the $78,000 American heifer Regancrest MB Breyell VG87 2yr. The two month old calf Maineview Million Barbie (Lot 85) was bred from an imported embryo by Andrew Kennedy, Northern Ireland, who was also a first time seller at the B&W Sale.
Commenting on the sale, Head Pedigree Auctioneer Glyn Lucas said. “I’d like to congratulate all the vendors, purchasers and bidders for their continued support in making the Borderway Black and White the most prestigious UK sale event. We’re now looking forward to our 25th Anniversary Sale in 2011and we anticipate another huge turnout of top quality animals.”
Leading Prices
Lot Gns Vendor Purchaser
54 13000 “Drointon” Firthhead Partners, Meikle Firthhead, Haugh-of-Urr
78 11500 “Denmire & Bridge End” R&CD Atkins & Son, Yatehouse Farm, Byley, Middlewich
14 10500 “Washfold” Showgirl Holsteins, Church Farm, Wilcrick, Magor
85 10000 “Maineview” A Bunting & Son, Midtown Farm, New Abbey
& B Yates, East Logan, Castle Douglas
67 8500 “Ravara” C Dowling, Kingswood, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin
55 8000 "Berryholme" P & S Haffey, Glasson Farm, Portadown
51 7700 “Denmire” J Brewster, Boclair Farm, Bearsden, Glasgow
58 7300 “Lillyhall” K&M Jamieson, Woodhead, Annan
53 5600 “Wyndford” J Walsh, Scartaglin, Killarney, Co Kerry
42 5500 “Bilsrow & Brockafield” Ian Caddy on behalf of a customer
34 5300 “Overside” WA&A Booth, Old Hall, Feizor, Lancaster
21 5200 “Kellywell” J Jordan, Oldbury, Lower Broadheath, Worcester
74 5000 “Holmland” A Bunting & Son, Midtown Farm, New Abbey
Average
54 Holsteins = £4492.50
4 Jerseys = £2087.50
