Fresh calved heifers attracted a steady trade at Holstein NI’s January show and sale, conducted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.
Prices reached a ceiling of 3,250gns, and following a 94% clearance 29 heifers changed hands to average 2,190gns per head.
Top price of the sale came late in the day for Ards Shottle Nell consigned by Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, County Down. This two-year-old heifer by Picston Shottle is bred from the EX classified Ards Champion Nell. Calved five weeks she stood second in her class and caught the eye of a County Tyrone milk producer.
Sam McCormick, and son John, from the noted Hilltara herd in Bangor, County Down, sold two home-bred heifers at 2,820gns each. First into the salering at 2,820gns was the day’s honourable mention award winner Hilltara Bolivia Simone. Born in September 2009 she is by Magor Bolivia Allen, while her dam is a GP84 (2yr) by Innwood Terrason. Calved four weeks and producing 42 litres per day, she joins a dairy herd based at Dromore, County Tyrone.
Magor Bolivia Allen was also behind the breeding of the McCormick’s Hilltara Bolivia Freda, which caught the eye of David McClurg, Crossgar, County Down at 2,820gns. Born in September 2009, this potential 5th generation VG and EX heifer is bred from the VG87 (2yr) Hilltara Gibson Freda 2 which gave over 9,000kgs at 4.13% butterfat and 3.11% protein in her second 305-day lactation.
The McCormick father and son team had a successful day at Moira, selling three heifers to average 2,786gns per head, and also scooping the supreme championship and honourable mention awards which were generously sponsored by Cogent. The awards were presented by Cogent’s regional manager Ashley Fleming.
The overall champion was the October 2009 born Hilltara Calypso Flo which came under the hammer at 2,720gns. Sired by the Wil-Harte E Louie son, Nor-Bert Calypso TW, she is bred from the VG89 Hilltara Jolly Flo. Calved five weeks and yielding 33 litres daily this one also travels to Dromore in County Tyrone.
Judge John Wallace who runs the 200-cow Printshop herd in partnership with his father Gaston, at Nutt’s Corner, County Antrim, described the champion as a powerful heifer with a lovely udder. “It has been a good show of stock, all of which were well presented in the showring.”
The reserve championship award went to Kilvergan Co Bonus, a September 2009 born entry from Stephen Haffey, and sons Timothy, David and Aaron, from Lurgan, County Armagh. Sired by the home-bred Comestar Outside son, Kilvergan Co Erle, her dam is GP94 Kilvergan Jedi Bonus which is projected to give over 9,900kgs in her fourth lactation.
“The reserve champion is a nice well balanced heifer. She has great height and width of rear udder,”
The Haffey family sold seven heifers to average 2, 256gns per head. Leading their line-up at 2,740gns was the fourth prize winning Kilvergan K Damion Shine, which sold To William Herron from Newtownhamilton, County Armagh. Born in November 2009 she is by the ERB Acres Damion son, Kilvergan Damion ET.
Another November 2009 born Kilvergan Damion ET son sold to Trevor Keatley, Castlederg, County Tyrone, for 2,700gns.
Also selling at 2,700gns was the fifth prize winning Relough Lightning Muffler bred by Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, County Tyrone. Born in November 2009, this potential fifth generation EX heifer was sired by Lylehaven Lightning. She also joins Trevor Keatley’s Aghyaran pedigree herd.
Other leading prices include:
2,500gns Harry Patton and Sons, cow Ards Redrock Trish Red to Robert Reid, Banbridge.
2,350gns Stephen Haffey and Sons, Lurgan, Kilvergan Sam Primrose to Trevor Keatley.
2,320gns William Crawford, Brookeborough, Ardmore Mr Sam Snowdrop to William Herron.
2,220gns Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Debonair Margot to George Anderson, Drumbo.
2,200gns Jim Stevenson, Kilkeel, Newry Dotman Primrose to William Herron; and Stephen Haffey and Sons, Kilvergan Sam Pleasure to Billy Morton, Armagh.
Results from the judging ring include:
Heifer in-milk, born between April 2009 and September 2009 – 1, and reserve champion, Stephen Haffey and Sons, Lurgan, Kilvergan Co Bonus by Kilvergan Co Erle; 2, and honourable mention, Sam McCormick, Hilltara Bolivia Simone by Magor Bolivia Allen; 3, Jim Stevenson, Kilkeel, Newry Dotman Emerald by Newry Dotman.
Heifer in-milk, born between October 2009 and January 2010 – 1, and supreme champion, Sam McCormick, Bangor, Hilltara Calypso by Nor Bert Calypso TW; 2, Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, Ards Shottle Nell by Picston Shottle; 3, Stephen Haffey and Sons, Lurgan, Kilvergan Sam Pleasure by Regancrest Mr Drham Sam.
- Holstein NI’s next monthly heifer show and sale takes place at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira on Wednesday, February 22.
