Holstein bulls to 4,300gns at Moira
Bidders were keen to secure bulls with power, high components and outcross bloodlines at Holstein NI’s 26th annual autumn show and sale, held at Moira.
Prices reached a ceiling of 4,300gns, and following a 74% clearance auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirmed that 29 lots changed hands to level at £2,376 each – up £78 on this time year.
Sale leader at 4,300gns was Ards Delaney (PLI £165), the Milk Quality Award winner from Harry Patton, and sons Wallace and Wilson, from Newtownards, County Down. He also took the honourable mention title at the pre-sale show judged by Ken Proctor from Norfolk.
Sired the Braedale Goldwyn son Ballycairn Tiergan, he is bred from the Braedale Pagewire daughter Ards Pagewire Durene ET VG87, who gave over 11,900kgs at 4.40% butterfat and 3.42% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Buyer was Robert Rainey from Beragh, County Tyrone.
“He is a super free moving bull, with great openness and depth of rib, and real dairy character,” said Ken Proctor who runs the 450-cow Airfield Herd.
Second highest price of the day 3,600gns was paid to Robert and Stuart Smith from Londonderry, for Prehen Freud ET (PLI £176). This nineteen-month-old bull was sired by Charlesdale Superstition ET, and is bred from Prehen Goldwyn Froukje ET EX91 3* - the current number 11 genomic PLI cow in the UK. She averaged over 11,300 kilos at 4.28% butterfat and 3.6% protein in three 305-day lactations. This one joins Cyril and Martin Millar’s pedigree herd based at Coleraine, County Londonderry.
Next best at 3,200gns was the reserve champion Newry Goldbrook (PLI £123) consigned by Jim and Charlotte Stevenson from Kilkeel, County Down. Born in March 2012, he is by Gillette Windbrook ET, and is out of the R-E-W Buckeye daughter Newry Gold Barbie (VG88 3yr), which gave over 11,300 kilos at 4.44% butterfat and 3.29% protein in her heifer lactation. Backed by seven generations of VG and EX dams, he sold to John Hamilton from Bangor, County Down.
Ken Proctor added:”The reserve champion is a big strong bull with tremendous depth of body and width throughout. “
Following close behind at 3,180gns was the youngest bull in the catalogue Relough Mentor (PLI £163), from Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, Donaghmore, County Tyrone. This yearling entry was sired by Schillview Oman Gerard ET, and is bred from the Picston Shottle daughter Relough Shottle Melissa EX. This first prize winner was snapped up by ME Kenwell from Fintona, County Tyrone.
The McLean family experienced a solid trade which resulted in a complete clearance, with nine bulls from their noted Relough herd selling to average £2,509 per head.
Two lots sold at 3,000gns each. First to go was the second prize winning Relough Ravenald (PLI £107). Born in June 2012, he was sired by Bomaz Marion Emerald, and is out of Relough Titanic Raven 2 ET (EX91) LP50. Buyer was Stephen McAllister from Dungannon, County Tyrone.
Alastair Barclay from Dunloy, County Antrim, paid out 3,000gns to secure the thirteen-month-old Relough Ryandale (PLI £180). Sired by Regancrest Altaiota, he is backed by seven straight generations of EX dams.
O-Man End Story was behind the breeding of the McLean family’s Relough Rorey (PLI£162) which secured the supreme championship award sponsored by Gortavoy Feeds. Born in June 2012, he was sired by O-Man End Story, and is out of Relough Realm Danna VG86. This one was the runner-up for the Milk Quality Award, and attracted a bid of 2,900gns from Colin Lyle, Larne, County Antrim.
“This is exactly the type of bull that I was looking for”, explained Ken Proctor. “He has great width, excellent locomotion and super dairy strength. On the whole it has been a phenomenal show, with free moving, open ribbed dairy bulls standing at the top of each class.”
Sponsors Stephen Gilkinson and Stephen McKenna from Gortavoy Feeds congratulated the winners and presented the awards.
Results from the judging ring:
Class 1, bulls born between 01/03/12 and 12/05/12 – 1, and reserve champion, Jim and Charlotte Stevenson, Newry Goldbrook by Gillette Windbrook ET; 2, Geoffrey Patton, Carrowcroft Larry ET by Roylane Socra Robust ET; 3, Geoffrey Patton, Carrowcroft Paddington by Comestar Llauthority.
Class 2, bulls born between 13/05/12 and 28/07/12 – 1, and supreme champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Rorey by O-Man End Story; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Ravenald by Bomaz Marion Emerald; 3, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Rapper by De Su 521 Bookem ET.
Class 3, bulls born between 29/07/12 and 03/09/12 – 1, and honourable metion, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Delaney by Ballycairn Tiergan; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Domen by Prehen Omen ET; 3, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Danbok ET by Gillette Windbrook ET.
Class 4, bulls born between 04/09/12 and 18/10/13 – 1, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Mentor by Schillview Oman; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Ryandale by Regancrest Altaiota; 3, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Ravengard by Schillview Oman Gerard ET.
Milk Quality Award – 1, Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Delaney by Ballycairn Tiergan; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Rorey by O-Man End Story; 3, William and Andrew McCollum, Ballycairn Leko Tresor ET by Leko.
