Tuesday 19th July was the 22nd Annual Top 10% and Seasonality Sale at the West Country’s Sedgemoor Auction Centre.  The fresh milk trade was exceptional with no less than 51% of the entries selling for over 2000gns to a top of 2450gns for Roland and Simon Bugler’s “Bettiscombe Principal Tabatha” a June calved heifer  in the top 10% of the breed.  The 9 Heifers from the “Bettiscombe” herd averaged £2,201.50.  It was also a “Bettiscombe” cow that topped at 2150gns being the 2nd calver “Kendall Miss America”. 

P J Andrews of Lower Venton, Plymouth sold calved heifers to 2200gns for “Beneknowle Shottle Voalije” a top 10% June calved heifer and cows to 2050gns for “Beneknowle Lucente Burgundy 18th” VG85.  The Holsteins bulls were in much demand topping the sale at 2800gns for R K & S G Millers “Moorshard Partner” a February 2010 “Sanchez” son from the Paradise” family.  The second Bull “Peacehay Blackmagic” a “Shottle” from the “Raven” family from F H Chase & Son sold for 1800gns.

The first of two sales for Hill Farm Estate Ltd of Salisbury saw 62 dry cows selling to 1650gns and averaging £1,229.  Incalf heifers from D Gillet & Sons of Suffolk sold to 1480gns for “Gildave Centurion Palm 2nd” due in September to “Shottle”.  October incalf heifers from R & M Parker’s “Grangemoor Bolton Daisy” with 2 gens VG sold for 1460gns.

Bulling heifers from Messrs Avery & Co sold to 880gns for “Pitchbury Henry Esme” and  “Henry Satin” both by the “Moorpark.  Jose Henry” sire.  Non recorded bulling heifers from Messrs F G Knapman & Co sold to 860gns to average 800gns.

A late entry of 14 incalf heifers from John Redman sold to 1020gns for “Goran Hawk Mirage” due August to the Angus

A day when 36 different purchasers from as far a field as Cornwall, Northampton, Carmarthen, Hereford and Shropshire as well as good local support saw many leave empty handed and produce the following excellent averages:-