There was a buoyant trade for quality heifers at this week’s Holstein NI show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira

Prices reached a ceiling of 2,500gns and 2,480gns, and following the day’s trading the auctioneers reported an 82 per cent clearance with 42 heifers selling to level at 1,666gns per head.

The day’s top price of 2,500gns was paid to Geoffrey Patton from Carrowdore, County Down. He brought out the December 2008 born Carrowcroft Phil Princess, which sold to William Herron from Newtownhamilton, County Armagh. She was sired by the Crichel Principal son, Dalbytop Phil.

Following close behind at 2,480gns was the supreme champion of the pre-sale show, Relough Dollarman Danna, consigned by Ronald McLean and Sons from Donaghmore, County Tyrone. This January 2009 born heifer was sired by the home-bred Braedale Goldwyn son, Relough Dollarman ET – a young test sire marketed by AI Serivces (NI) Ltd. This was the first Dollarman daughter to be offered for sale. Calved five weeks, she is giving 32 litres daily, and sold to a County Tyrone farmer.

Judge, Kenny Scott, owner of the Ardgonnell herd based at Middletown in County Armagh, said there was a good show of stock at the event which was generously sponsored by Teemore Engineering. “There were some nice heifers forward, and the junior heifer class was very strong in both quality and numbers. The overall champion is a nice, clean boned and well balanced dairy heifer.”

Next best at 2,280gns was the third prize winning Newry Minister Heiress from Jim and Charlotte Stevenson’s herd at Kilkeel, County Down.  This January 2009 born Mr Minister daughter sold to Sam Irwin from Armagh, County Armagh.

A March 2008 born Calbrett IHH Champion daughter came under the hammer at 2,200gns for Stuart Smith, Waterside, County Londonderry. Her EX dam, Prehen Lee Priscilla, gave over 12,500 kilos at 3.88 per cent butterfat and 3.15 per cent protein in her fourth 305-day lactation. Boasting four generations of EX and VG, she is calved four weeks, and sold to William Herron from Newtownhamilton.

Sam McCormick, Bangor, County Down, sold his best at 2,100gns. The December 2008 born Hilltara Champion Freda 3, sold to Muldrew Bros from Armagh, County Armagh.  Sired by Calbrett IHH Champion, she was bred from the VG Hilltara Jolly Freda, who gave over 10,000 kilos at 4.35 per cent butterfat and 3.38 per cent protein in her third 305-day lactation.

Stuart Smith also secured 2,050gns for his honourable mention award winner, Pehen Colossus Dellia.  She was sired by the Pursuit September Storm son, Prehen Colossus Red ET, and is bred from Prehen Morty Dellia who gave over 9,500 kilos at 4.40 per cent butterfat and 3.38 per cent protein in her second 305 day lactation. She calved six weeks ago and was snapped up by William Herron.

The same price was paid to Harry Patton and Sons from Newtownards, County Down, for the December 2008 born Ards Motivator Trish. She was sired by Denmire Mr Motivator, and her dam, Ards Champion W Trish, gave almost 12,000 kilos at 4.42 per cent butterfat and 3.24 per cent protein in her second 305-day lactation. This fresh calver also sold to William Herron.

Other leading prices include:

2,000gns -David and Alan Wallace, Antrim, Abercorn Baxter Bella to David Hamilton, Rathfriland; and Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Online Jessica 2 to Muldrew Bros, Armagh.

1,900gns – Stuart Smith, Waterside, Prehen Retinue Pansy to William Herron, Newtownhamilton; and Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Riddle Muffler to Mr O’Brien, Poyntzpass.

1,880gns – Beattie Lilburn, Dromore, Hycrest Leo Snowflake to David Hamilton.

1,870gns – Geoffrey Patton, Carrowdore, Carrowcroft Jango Ruby to David Hamilton.

1,820gns – Jay Warden, Bangor, Ballygrainey Ravenhill Fay to David Hamilton.

1,800gns – William Lee, Enniskillen, Carneyhill Conformer Michelle to Sam Gilmore, Markethill; and Jim and Charlotte Stevenson, Kilkeel, Newry Calypso Primrose to William Holmes, Portadown.

1,740gns – Sam McCormick, Hilltara Champion Jane to George Anderson, Drumbo.

1,720gns – David and Alan Wallace, Abercorn Minister Agnes to William Holmes.

1,710gns – Jim and Charlotte Stevenson, Newry Goldrun V Mydeal to Sam Irwin, Armagh.

1,700gns – Sam McCormick, Hilltara Mattador Della to Muldrew Bros.

Results from the judging ring include:

Class 1 – 1, and honourable mention, Stuart Smith, Waterside, Co Londonderry, Prehen Colossus Dellia by Prehen Colossus Red; 2, Stuart Smith, Prehen Retinue Pansy by Cogent Retinue Red; 3, Sam McCormick, Bangor, Co Down, Hilltara Mattador Della by Hilltara Mattador; 4, J and E Stevenson, Kilkeel, Co Down, Aughnahoory Amy 196 by Hilltara Maestro; 5, David and Austin Perry, Ahoghill, Killane Amazon Flora 96 by Majestic Amazon.

Class 2 – 1, and supreme champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, Relough Dollarman Danna by Relough Dollarman; 2, and reserve champion, Cyril Gibson, Beragh, Co Tyrone, Glenure Ramos Duchess by Ramos; 3, Jim and Charlotte Stevenson, Newry Minister Heiress by Mr Minister; 4, Stuart Smith, Prehen Lucente Rosemary by Aquila Patron Lucente; 5, Relough Online Jessica 2 by Relough Online.

·         Holstein NI’s next show and sale at Moira takes place on Wednesday, April 20. The catalogue will include a selection of top quality bulls and females. Contact Taaffe Auctions for further details, tel: 00353 419 881288.