A strong trade with above average top price was once again the pattern at the February Bristol Dairy Sale on Tuesday this week. A good crowd of buyers from the West Midlands, Devon and Wales saw a complete clearance and 9 animals making 2,000 guineas or more.

It was Messrs Harries from Llanelli’s red Blackrose that caught the eye of several in the catalogue and several more when they saw her in the pen at Bristol. By Wisconsin  and backed by 7 generations of Excellent & VG cows she traces to the legendary Stookey Elm Park Blackrose EX-96. She sold 5 weeks fresh giving 32kg and travels back to Wales to Roger Morse’s Cowindale herd near Carmarthen with a price tag of 3,350 guineas.

The second highest price was 2,400 guineas paid for a tremendously milky cow from the Chalkfarm herd in Norfolk. Mike Toms made the long journey over with his trailer containing 3 quality animals that averaged £2,240. Chalkfarm Decker Lavender 137 VG-85 gave 13,227kg 4.15% in her second lactation and sold 4 weeks calved giving 56.4kg. She also heads for Wales.

Regular supporter Richard Thomas of Churchvale sold two heifers for 2,300 & 2,350 guineas and hopes to be back in March with some more quality animals.

The largest consignor was David Goddard from Tewkesbury who consigned 18 fresh cows & heifers from his highly productive Ashmead herd. These averaged over £1700 with a top of 2,350 guineas for a fresh Picston Shaker daughter that gave 9,700kg 4.47% as a heifer

AVERAGES:    

Pedigree                      10  Cows & Calved Heifers                   avg.      £2,242

                                    18  Ashmead cows & calved heifers     avg.      £1,723

                                    28  Pedigree animals                            avg.      £1,908

Non Pedigree               9   Calved Heifers                                 avg.      £1,585

Auctioneers:  NORTON & BROOKSBANK with GWILYM RICHARDS & CO

TOP PRICES