There was a buoyant trade for quality black and white heifers at this week’s show and sale, hosted by Holstein NI at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.
Prices soared to a top of 4,100gns and 45 lots changed to hands to average 1,918gns each.
Top price was paid to William Crawford, Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, for his supreme champion, Ardmore Goldwyn Burgandy. Judge, Robert Wallace, Templepatrick, described the champion as a clear winner. “She is a tall heifer with good clean bone and a well attached rear udder. “
Bidding was brisk for the supreme champion, with several pedigree breeders keen to secure her for their herds. The final bid came from telephone bidders, Cyril and Martin Millar who run the Glenleary herd based at Coleraine.
The pre-sale show was kindly sponsored by Cogent, and the company’s NI area sales manager, Ashley Fleming was on hand to congratulate the winners and present the prizes.
Claiming the reserve supreme championship was Willofarm Rachel 22 brought out by David Throne from Strabane, County Tyrone. “This is a nice heifer and she’ll make a good cow,” added judge, Robert Wallace. Classified VG 2yr, this one is by Regancrest Mr Samuelo, and came under the hammer at 2,350gns, selling to William Herron from Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.
Regancrest Samuelo was also behind the breeding of Willofarm Davinia 330 which realised 2,550gns for David Throne. Bred from two generations of 100 tonne cows, this one joins Jason Booth’s herd at Stewartstown, County Tyrone.
David Throne’s third and final entry, Willofarm Elsie 52, changed hands for 2,120gns. Sired by Regancrest Dolman, she caught the eye of William Herron, Newtownhamilton.
The honourable mention award went to Clandeboye Jasper Willow, a potential sixth generation VG/EX heifer exhibited by Mark Logan of Clandeboye Estates, Bangor. This Wilcoxview Jasper daughter was snapped up by Muldrew Bros, Armagh, for 2,220gns. Judge, Robert Wallace added:”This is a young fresh calved heifer. She is clean of the bone and very dairy.”
Leading Clandeboye’s entry, and securing the sale’s second highest bid of the day, 2,650gns, was Clandeboye Pagewire Rosina. The successful bidder was David McClurg, Crossgar, County Down.
Clandeboye Estates sold five heifers at Moira to average 2,234gns per head.
Ards Motivator Mandy, a Demire Mr Motivator daughter, attracted a bid of 2,450gns for Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards. One month calved, she joins Richard Mackey’s herd at Dromore, County Down.
Following close behind at 2,420gns was Hilltara Champion Freda 2, a second prize heifer bred by Sam McCormick, Bangor. She is a potential sixth generation VG or EX and sold to George Anderson, Drumbo.
Other leading prices include:
2,320gns – Clandeboye Estates, Bangor, Clandeboye Larry Royalty to a County Tyrone buyer.
2,300gns – Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Bolton Monica to Peter Orr.
2,280gns – Clandeboye Estates, Bangor, Clandeboye Pagewire RJ Rosina to a County Tyrone buyer.
2,120gns – David Throne, Strabane, Willofarm Elsie 52 to William Herron, Newtownhamilton; David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Amazon Kathy 6 to Muldrew Bros, Armagh.
2,100gns – David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Rosso Winnie 41 to Michael Murphy, Armagh.
2,000gns - T J Morrison and Sons, Downpatrick, Inch Lou Avice 3 to Michael Murphy, Armagh.
Results from the showring include:
Class 1 – 1, William Crawford, Ardmore Goldwyn Burgandy by Braedale Goldwyn; 2, David Throne, Strabane, Willofarm Rachel 22 by Regancrest Mr Samuelo; 3, Sam McCormick, Bangor, Hilltara Freelance August by Braedale Freelance.
Class 2 – 1, Clandeboye Estate, Bangor, Clandeboye Jasper Willow by Wilcoxview Jasper; 2, Sam McCormick, Hilltara Champion Freda 2; 3, Robert Mulligan, Banbridge, Roundhill Showboy Lorna 2.
· Entries are invited for Holstein NI’s next show and sale at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira. The event, kindly sponsored by Kilco (International) Ltd takes place on Wednesday, February 23. Judging commences at 10.30am and is in the capable hands of Richard Graham, Moyrah Herd, Dromore, County Down. The sale will start at 11.30am. For further information contact Taaffe Auctions on tel: 00353 41 9881288.
