The combination of noted families and high yields attracted buyers from throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland to the dispersal sale of Greg and Ruth Watkins’ Hollybush herd of Holsteins at Ocle Pychard, Hereford.
The much admired Hollybush Unwin 20th, a VG88 3 year old heifer by Knowlesmere Papoose Integrity and out of a 8,740kg VG dam sold for 5,000gns. She was carrying a Pine Tree Sid calf for September and was purchased by Cilast Ltd of Pembrokeshire.
The Unwin family dominated proceedings with the Excellent 93 Unwin 11, a 4th calver by Weeton Jackson and calving in November to Pine Tree Sid selling for 3,200gns in a joint purchase by E R Jones, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, and J E Lloyd & Son of Hereford. She had recorded 9,033kg at 4.77%F and 3.46%P in her 3rd lactation.
Her 6 month old calf by Mr Sam sold for 1,600gns to M R Lowry of Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire.
The mother of Unwin 11, the 10 year old Crapon Unwin EX94, the matriarch of this outstanding Unwin family, sold for 2,350gns to J J Hawkins of Worcester. The Comestar Leader daughter had calved for the 8th time in March after giving 10,005kgs with her 7th calf. She was giving 47kgs daily when sold.
Her grand daughter Unwin 21 sired by Drake sold for 2,500gns to C M Pugh of Gloucester. The VG87 3 year old heifer had calved in September and had recently been served to Atlantic.
Another grand daughter led the in-calf section. Unwin 28 by Picston Shottle in-calf to Mr Minister for September sold for 2,400gns to Cilast Ltd.
J S Bird & Son of Axminister, Devon, paid 2,500gns for the Roylane Jordan daughter Hollybush Fawn VG87. She had recorded 11,335kg as a 2nd calver and was due in a month’s time to Ked Outside Jeeves.
Top Prices:
Lot 30 Hollybush Unwin 20 VG88 Cilast Ltd, Boncath 5,000gns
Lot 5 Hollybush Unwin 11 EX93 E R Jones, Kidwelly & J E Lloyd &
Son, Hereford 3,200gns
Lot 17 Hollybush Fawn VG87 J S Bird & Son, Axminster 2,500gns
Lot 40 Hollybush Unwin 21 VG87 C M Pugh, Gloucester 2,500gns
Lot 10 Hollybush Dolly VG85 P J Andrews, Hereford 2,400gns
Lot 51 Hollybush Lavender 6 EX90 D P Rees, Crickhowell 2,400gns
Lot 93 Hollybush Unwin 28 Cilast Ltd, Boncath 2,400gns
Lot 50 Crapon Unwin 67 EX94 J J Hawkins, Worcester 2,350gns
Lot 48 Hollybush Baby 7 VG86 H E & J A Cowles & Son, Monmouth 2,300gns
Lot 25 Hollybush Lulu 2 GP82 C M Pugh, Gloucester 2,250gns
Lot 54 Hollybush Matilda 2 VG85 Cilast Ltd, Boncath 2,250gns
Lot 26 Hollybush Unwin 23 GP82 H E & J A Cowles & Son, Monmouth 2,200gns
Lot 31 Hollybush Bet 5 VG86 D & A Barwell, Hereford 2,200gns
Lot 35 Hollybush Roxy 3 GP83 D & A Barwell, Hereford 2,200gns
Lot 32 Hollybush Janette 12 VG85 D & A Barwell, Hereford 2,150gns
Lot 46 Hollybush Apache 4 GP82 C M Pugh, Gloucester 2,100gns
Lot 76 Hollybush Lulu 3 A & M Gregory, Corsham 2,100gns
Lot 37 Hollybush Jessamine II GP83 C M Pugh, Gloucester 2,000gns
Lot 47 Hollybush Jessamine 12 D P Rees, Crickhowell 2,000gns
Lot 73 Hollybush Ruth 2 B B Farms, Abergavenny 2,000gns
Lot 78 Hollybush Apache 5 A & M M Gregory, Corsham 2,000gns
Lot 91 Hollybush Gladys Red D & A Barwell, Gloucester 2,000gns
Lot 92 Hollybush Papoose 4 G A G Evans & Son, Welshpool 2,000gns
Averages:
67 cows and calved heifers £2,058.47 (inc 33 calves @ £869.27)
31 in-calf heifers £1,626.15
16 maiden heifers £1,031.63
114 lots £1,796.79
Auctioneers: Gwilym Richards
