Messrs Doble’s decision to cease dairy farming and disperse their entire Shiplake herd of Holsteins drew a splendid crowd and 37 buyers from 22 different counties. There were several people who left untrammelled saying that the trade was too hot! The herd had a long history, excellent health status and impressive commercial results. The family had farmed dairy cattle for over 100 years and it was most fitting to see them go out on a high note.
The sale started well with the senior cows and never slackened all day. Brisk bidding from the keen supporters meant a throughput of well over 50 head per hour. No less than 20 head topped 2,000 guineas with a further 3 dozen fetching between 1,800 and 1,980 guineas.
Top price of the day was 2,300 guineas paid by G.R Robinson Farms Ltd from Leicestershire, who purchased Shiplake Grayson Alice for their Wyggeston herd. Alice was one of several daughters of Far-O-La Grayson that caught the eye and sold a fortnight calved giving 37kg with her second calf. The same buyers also claimed Shiplake Melody Polo, a month calved for 2,150gns.
Mr J Biddle of Berkeley was in good form, picking up 11 of the best young cows for his Acton herd, including Shiplake Iron Dolly 2 for 2,300gns. Having done 11,759kg in her second note, she sold 12 days calved giving 38kg.
Main buyer was Mr Fred Simcock from Hereford, who purchased 35 head for his big dairy enterprise near Ledbury. One of his shrewdest buys was the 10,500kg heifer Shiplake Melody Hillie, sold still giving 30kg and due in October. She made 2,250gns.
A superb group of in-calf heifers sold really well, averaging £1,560 and peaking at 1,800 guineas for a Shottle daughter. Perhaps the trade of the day was for the young stock with the 45 maiden heifers, two thirds of which were under 12month old, averaging over £1,000. These peaked at 1,380gns, again for a daughter of Shottle. Calves at foot were also flying along with a top of 850gns for a Matson.
AVERAGES: 167 Cows & Calved Heifers av. £1,572
41 Served Heifers av. £1,560
45 Maiden Heifers av. £1.024
253 Lots (incl 30 calves @ £534) av. £1,260
1 Aberdeen Angus Bull £1,732
TOP PRICES
|
LOT
|
ANIMAL
|
BUYER
|
PRICE - GNS
|
|
127
|
Shiplake Grayson Alice
|
G.R Robinson Farms Ltd (Wyggeston)
|
2,320
|
|
75
|
Shiplake Iron Dolly 2
|
J. Biddle (Acton)
|
2,300
|
|
96
|
Shiplake Freeman Alice
|
P. Walker
|
2,250
|
|
107
|
Shiplake Icefyre Anna
|
J. Biddle (Acton)
|
2,150
|
|
129
|
Shiplake Melody Polo
|
G.R Robinson Farms Ltd (Wyggeston)
|
2,150
|
|
63
|
Shiplake Breeze Anna
|
R Giles-Austin
|
2,100
|
|
90
|
Shiplake Elegant Andora
|
K.J & G.R King
|
2,100
|
|
114
|
Shiplake Taboo Anna
|
J. Biddle (Acton)
|
2,100
|
|
117
|
Shiplake Samuelo Eva
|
H & V.E Jolly (Fieldside)
|
2,100
|
|
121
|
Shiplake Icefyre Trudy
|
J. Biddle (Acton)
|
2,100
|
|
132
|
Shiplake Melody Bridget
|
K.J & G.R King
|
2,100
|
