INCREDIBLE DAY FOR BLACKSNAPE DISPERSAL –TOP OF 6500 GNS AND TWO MORE AT 6200

The Blacksnape Herd of Pedigree Holsteins, the property of Robert and Mary Mares of Hillock Farm, Blacksnape, Darwen, Lancashire was dispersed at Beeston Castle Auction following the June Focus Milk sale.

This was a super herd of cattle which were all from PI North American cow families; they came from a very exposed farm situated 1000 foot up on the Lancashire Pennines but nevertheless achieved an average production of 9293 kg. 4.00% butterfat and 3.12% protein. A huge crowd of buyers were present and the cattle were distributed from Scotland to Devon.

Three animals sold for in excess of 6000 gns. The top was 6500 gns for the wonderful second calver, Blacksnape Baxter Doll (VG88-3yr). She is a daughter of Baxter and is the seventh generation VG/EX dams tracing back to the matriarch of this great line, the 97 point Elmdae Citamatt Dolly. She was the pick of Wendy Brassington buying on behalf of the family’s Cracking Herd based at Roden, Nr. Shrewsbury who also purchased the joint second highest priced lot, Blacksnape Goldwyn Esher (VG862yr). This was one of two VG86-2yr ET sisters in the sale and she was sold dry due with her second calf at the end of July to Alexander with sexed semen.

The third at this price was the much admired Blacksnape Alexander Jenn ET (VG87-2yr) purchased by Andrew Swale of Rishton, Lancashire. This beautiful heifer is out of a VG87 14000gns Goldwyn daughter of one of Canada’s leading show cows, Valleyville Lheros Jenn (Ex94)(Ex96-MS). Jenn was the dam of the top priced heifer calf, Blacksnape Sid Jenn 2nd ET, a January born daughter of the great Pine Tree Sid, which sold for 3500 gns to the Cope Family at Prees, Whitchurch. Another ET sister of the same age sold for 2800 gns to Steve Garth of the Bowlandview Herd at Preston.

Three full ET sisters by Goldwyn out of Richard Dundee Dawnette (Ex95-2E), a 2nd prize winner at Madison, and the only daughters of this great cow here in the UK created enormous interest. All three came into the ring together and sold on choice; the first choice, Blacksnape Goldwyn Dawn, made 5000 gns, the second choice, Blacksnape Goldwyn Dawnette, made 5200 gns both going in a joint deal to John Richardson of the Warmingham Herd, Sandbach and to Gordon Throup of the Gorthrop Herd, Eccleshall. The third, Blacksnape Goldwyn Delite, who was equally as good an animal was purchased by the Mares’ son, Adam for his Greengrass Herd.

Other notable prices include 4800 gns paid for Blacksnape SV Bolton Dolly (VG88) a beautiful dry cow due at the beginning of August with her third and purchased by the Brassington’s; 4000 gns for Davlea Durham Esher (Ex92), a seventh generation Excellent and the dam of the 6200 gns Goldwyn Esher who now returns to Somerset having been purchased by her breeder Max Davies for his Davlea Herd and also 3600gns for her other milking VG86-2yr daughter Blacksnape Sanchez Easter who sold to Wyevale Dairy Genetics Ltd., Hereford.

TOP PRICES: GNS

Lot 130 Blacksnape Baxter Doll (VG88-3yr) CSA Brassington & Son, Telford 6500

Lot 138 Blacksnape Goldwyn Esher ET (VG86-2yr) CSA Brassington & Son, Telford 6200

Lot 141 Blacksnape Alexander Jenn ET (VG87-2yr) Andrew Swale, Rishton 6200

Lot 116 Blacksnape SV Bolton Dolly (VG88) CSA Brassington & Son, Telford 4800

Lot 108 Davlea Durham Esher ET (EX92) BL Davies & Son, Somerset 4000

Lot 139 Blacksnape Goldwyn Easter ET (VG86-2yr) Wyevalley Dairy Genetics Ltd, Hereford 3600

Lot 146 Blacksnape Bedford Dolly (VG86-2yr) JV & JE Allen, Burton on Trent 3200

Lot 131 Blacksnape Outside Betsy (GP83-2yr) G Thomasson, Whitchurch 2700

Lot 144 Blacksnape Story Dolly DR & MR Davies, Llanymynech 2700

Lot 126 Blacksnape Deuce Das Appel (VG88-3yr) M & D Stable, Ulverston 2650

Lot 101 Blacksnape Gibson Doll (EX94-3E & SP) (EX96-MS) R Gay, Axminster 2600

Lot 129 Blacksnape Sandy Dolly (VG87-3yr) P & A Mercer, Malpas 2550

AVERAGES:

46 Cows and Milking Heifers (including 20 Heifer Calves at £1228.50) £3203.64; 10 Served Heifers £2987.25; 38 Maiden

Heifers £1338.75; 4 Bulls and Bull Calves £931.88. 98 HEAD £2365.71

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