The March Bristol Dairy Sale saw a memorable trade with 80% of the animals forward making 2,000 guineas or more. Demand for the best cattle was as brisk as we have seen a collective sale and unless the animal had a blemish it was almost certain to top 2,000 guineas.

The day started with a show, generously sponsored by Farmers Guardian and Judge Michael George of the Brynhyfryd herd in Pembrokeshire awarding the Championship to an outstanding heifer, shown by Designer Holsteins from Essex. The long journey paid off handsomely with Designer Jordan Oreo PI selling for 5,750 guineas (£6,037). She is out of a VG-89 Shottle dam with an EX-92 (6) 110 tonne grand-dam bred in the noted Hayleys Herd by Peter Padfield. Oreo travels to Wales along with a dozen other lots.

Bev Baker, a regular supporter of the Bristol sale sold 3 heifers to average over £3,300 including the second top price of 4,000 guineas for Gatrog Ross Lilly, a lovely sleek black heifer with a nigh faultless udder. By Plain-O Durham Ross she was giving 38kg having calved 5 weeks previous. The same herd also consigned BB Bolivia Mischief ET PI, bred from 8 generations of VG/EX dams. She sold 10 weeks calved, giving 35kg to Nick Kay for his Salterton herd near Salisbury in Wiltshire.

Terry Cox consigned 3 superbly bred heifers from his Holmead herd in Dorset and as on previous visits to Bristol he met a good trade with his Talent Ebony VG-872yr fetching 3,000 guineas and his Goldwyn Pocohontis selling for 2,850gns – both travelling  to Wales.

Non-pedigree cattle sold really well averaging over £1,900 with a top of 2,300 guineas for a stylish fresh heifer of traditional conformation from regular supporter Adrian Ratcliffe.

Bristol has firmly established its reputation as one of the prime venues for achieving premium prices for quality cattle. We look forward to the next event on April 17. Another ‘Show & Sale’ is being planned for later in the year.

AVERAGES:     22   Pedigree females               avg.  £2,653.63

                          7   Non-Pedigree females       avg.  £1,927.50

                          2   Brown Swiss cows            avg.   £1,732.50

                        31   Head                                  avg.  £2,430.24

Auctioneers: NORTON & BROOKSBANK with GWILYM RICHARDS & CO