Prices reached a ceiling of 10,000gns at this week’s Causeway Classic III, hosted by Holstein NI in conjunction with Genus ABS and United Feeds, at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.
Bidding was underpinned by pedigree breeders, as the 300-strong crowd witnessed fierce competition for the hottest lots in the catalogue. “Breeders came from as far afield as Cornwall and County Kerry aiming to secure new families for their herds, but it was the local bidders who dominated the trade,” explained auctioneer Michael Taaffe.
Hitting the headlines at 10,000gns was the February 2011 born Glasson Atlas Go Sara ET (PLI£132), an MD Delight Durham Atlas daughter, bred from the 2011 Balmoral breed champion and NISA/McLarnon’s Dairy Cow of the Year, Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 ET. Voted best overall junior cow in Holstein NI’s annual herds inspection competition, Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 ET is projected to give over 16,000 kilos in her second lactation. The sale leader is a potential ninth generation VG/EX, and is a maternal sister to Glasson Mono ET – sold to Cogent.
This smart heifer attracted considerable attention from the packed ringside, with Michael Taaffe taking a flurry of bids from several eager purchasers. The successful bidders were Charlie Weir, Burnhill herd, Waringstown, and Derek and Neil Pepper, Utopian herd, Dromore, with vendors, Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown, retaining a third share.
Next best at 8,000gns was a descendant of the famous Medway Supreme Maude (EX98-8E-19*), consigned by the father and son team of Sam and John McCormick, Bangor. Hilltara Goldwyn Maude 2 ET (PLI£158) is a potential ninth generation VG/EX, and is bred from the prize winning Hilltara Champion Maude (EX94-2E) SP, which gave almost 12,000 kilos at 4.26% butterfat and 3.14% protein in her third 305-day lactation.
This November 2010 born heifer presented a rare opportunity to secure a Maude from Hilltara, and was snapped up by joint bidders John Berry and Ivor Broomfield, for their Skybrook and Moneyquin herds based in Armagh.
Following close behind at 7,200gns was the December 2010 born Ballycrochan Classic Sara Red (PLI£91), bred by Aubrey Patterson, Bangor. Sired by Poos Stadel Classic, she is a potential eighth generation ‘True Red’ backed by super components. Her dam is the VG87 Honeypot Rustler J Sara Red ET, while her gdam is Copywood Jordan Sara Red (VG87) – maternal sister to the Haffey’s Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 ET – dam of the sale’s highest priced entry.
Ballycrochan Classic Sara Red caught the eye of joint bidders, David and Alan Wallace, Abercorn herd, and Ryan McCoy, Real McCoy herd, Antrim.
Aubrey Patterson also realised 3,300gns for the five-month-old Ballycrochan Goldwyn Marie ET (PLI£186). Her dam, Denmire Shottle Marie 100 ET is a high genomic (GTPI+1882) from the Denmire Marie family, while her gdam is a fourth generation EX94. The successful bidder was David Campbell from Coleraine.
Holstein NI vice-chairman, Jay Warden, Bangor, sold Ballygrainey Mac Akira ET (PLI£98) for 3,050gns. She is one of Regancrest HHF Mac’s highest genomic daughters in the UK - (GTPI+1941), and her gdam is sister to KHW Kite Advent Red. This one sold to Pat McKillen from Fivemiletown.
Martin King from Ballymena paid out 3,000gns to secure Glasson Wisconsin A Molli Red (PLI£48) from Philip and Simon Haffey’s herd in Portadown. This January 2010 born April Day Wisconsin Red daughter is a potential 9th generation VG/EX ‘True Red’.
Holstein NI chairman, Alan Cleland, said:”Thanks to everyone who supported the Causeway Classic III. We are indebted to our sponsors, Genus ABS and United Feeds, for their continued support. “
Average: 17 heifers, £3,414.
Auctioneers: Taaffe Auctions, Drogheda.
