As the 300 head catalogue proclaimed this sale was truly “The end of an era” as Messrs Ropner’s famous Dalesend herd was dispersed on farm on Tuesday this week. A massive crowd jammed into the sale arena with many more craning their necks from outside to see the fun. Over 100 buyers were recorded spanning 26 different counties from all over the UK. The Dalesend herd has a long and distinguished history spanning 60 years and following the retirement from farming of Jonathan Ropner and the sale of Dalesend Farm, the entire herd was put up for auction. Interest had been at fever pitch since the catalogue was published and a great result followed with 300 head averaging £1,854 per life.

There were 27 animals that made 3,000 guineas or more, but we waited till late in the sale to see the top price of 6,200gns. A fabulous red calf by Fradon Jet Red, bred from the same family as Simon Davies’ exciting show cow of the same name was snapped up by Albert Innes-Smith from Ponteland for his Movistar herd. 4 telephone bidders provided a flurry of bidding, but as always there was only one winner!

A large load will travel to Wales as several discerning Welsh breeders bid keenly – sometimes against themselves! Among these was Peter Jones of the heavy milking Parcgwyn herd in Monmouthshire, who purchased 7 fine cattle, including the top priced cow Dalesend Talent echo EX-91 for 4,600gns. This lovely cow was adjudged by many as the best cow in the sale and was the only animal catalogued with a genomic test. Her GTPI was 1,824 but her 91 points and 50 litres a day will have been major factors. Her Mr Sam calf at foot made 2,100 to D.H Ryder of the Rypark herd near Otley.

Messrs A.L Dean & Son were in determined form and purchased the superb dam and daughter combo from the Spottie family. Dundee Spottie, the EX-91 show cow made 3,700gns and her daughter by Mr Minister, also successfully shown made 4,500gns – the second highest priced cow.

Young stock were a flying trade with 52 heifer calves averaging £1,268 and selling to a top of 2,800 guineas for a Talent daughter from the famous Maude family. Tony Hack of the Santamaria herd in West Wales was the successful telephone bidder and her dam travels to North Wales to join Messrs Jones’ Puerto herd at 3,000gns.

An impressive group of 35 in-calf heifers averaged over £2,000 with a top price in the section of 3,200gns. This was for another Rosina, named Rosanna by Comestar Outside. She was carrying an embryo by Palermo out of Cogent Manat Scant EX-90 and was secured by Metcalfe Farms from Leyburn for their Washfold herd.

Maiden heifers continued to sell consistently well as the sun set with Dalesend Drake Rena selling for 4,000 guineas to join Peter Miles and family’s Littlebridge herd near Northallerton, with the top price of 6,200gns referred to above, coming 10 lots later.

Tribute was made to Farms Manager Bernard Liddle, the immediate past President of Holstein UK, who with his family and expert team at Newton Grange had put a large dispersal sale together in great style in just 6 weeks. Their hard work looks to have been repaid in the best possible way. We wish all the team at Dalesend and the Ropner family every good fortune for the future.

AVERAGES

152       Cows & Calved Heifers             avg.  £2,566.42  =  £390,096.50   =  371,520 gns

  35       Served Heifers                          avg.  £2,082.00  =  £  72,870.00   =   69,400

  62       Maiden Heifers                         avg.  £1,518.09  =  £  94,122.00   =   89,640

249       Lots (incl 54 ‘A’ lots @£1,245)  avg.  £2,237.30  =  £557,080.00  =  530,560

TOP 10 PRICES

 Auctioneers: NORTON & BROOKSBANK with HARRISON & HETHERINGTON