The sale of virtually the entire milking portion of Dennis and Rachel Hughes noted Clayden Herd of Pedigree Holstein cattle attracted a huge crowd of buyers to Beeston Castle Auction. However trade was not helped by the recent announcement of a two pence reduction in milk price on several contracts, but nevertheless the prices achieved were perhaps better than was expected before the sale started. Buyers were present from all over the Midlands and Wales as well as cattle being sold to to two farms in Southern Scotland and to a breeder in Kent.

The top price went to the sixteen month old maiden heifer Clayden Oman Delight ET, a daughter of Long-Langs Oman Oman and out of Moorshard Golden Delight (VG86-2yr), a daughter of Braedale Goldwyn and whose six nearest dams are all classified Excellent. This beautiful heifer attracted lots of bidding from several noted breeders but the hammer eventually fell at 6500 gns to cousins Rob & Joe Lewis of Crewe who both work for Dennis and Rachel at Clayhanger Hall. Her dam preceded her into the sale ring and she also attracted a lot of bidding eventually selling to Tegwyn and Mary Davies of the Caeremlyn Herd at Whitland, Carmarthenshire for 5700 gns.

The outstanding Starcross Samuelo Peewit 4th (VG88-3yr) was next in the price list selling at 5000 gns to Mrs Rachel Wiliamson of Wardle Holsteins, Nantwich; this outstanding high constituent daughter of Samuelo has a VG86 dam and is due with her third in June to Million. Mrs Rachel Williamson also purchased Clayden Shottle Mila

One of the picks of the sale was Clayden Shottle Clarisa (VG86-2yr), another milking heifer by Shottle who is the 8th generation of VG/EX cows sold to Steve Moore for his Danevalley Herd at Byley Middlewich for 4500 gns; she is due with her second in October to Scientific Destry. Selling for 4000 gns was yet another Shottle daughter, Clayden Shottle Sara 2nd (VG86-2yr); she is from a renowned family and is 7th generation in the top two grades, she had freshened with her second at the end of February and was sold giving 48 kg. She was purchased by Martin Lowry for his Halen Herd at Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire.

Two animals sold for 3100 gns each; the first was the Roylane Jordan daughter Tameside Dream 14th (Ex92), a third calf ninth generation cow that freshened in January who was the choice of Seaton Farms, Audlem for their Styche Herd. The other at this price was the second calf Burlane Forbidden Tracy ET, a second calf cow whose six

nearest dams are all classified Excellent and she was sold to the Caeremlyn Herd who are great fans of this family.

The top price in-calf heifer was the very last heifer in the ring, Clayden Million Lyme 2nd ET who sold to Hefin Wilson for his Cardigan based Tregibby Herd.

TOP PRICES: GNS

AVERAGES:

160 Cows and Milking Heifers £2098.62 (including 28 heifer calves at £891.75 and 2 Bull Calves at £682.50);

9 In-calf Heifers £1800.17;

160 HEAD £2199.88.

WRIGHT MANLEY of Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire were the Auctioneers.