Hilltara Herd lifts third successive championship at monthly show and sale
Commercial bidders were out in force at Holstein NI’s December show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moria.
Prices peaked at 3,400gns and following a 100% clearance auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirmed that 39 lots were traded to level at £2,223 per head.
“It’s been a great sale with prices ranging from 1,400gns to a top of 3,400gns. Bidding was buoyant throughout the entire catalogue, with trade reflecting the current strong demand for quality dairy stock. We were delighted to welcome a number of new bidders, and three animals were sold for export to southern Ireland.”
Sale leader was Sam and John McCormick’s Hilltara Damion Maude 8, which earlier in the day had caught the eye of judge Lindsay Fleming to take the supreme championship award sponsored by AI Services (N I) Ltd.
This potential eighth generation VG/EX heifer was born in April 2011. Sired by ERB Acres Damion, she is bred from the EX92 3E Hilltara Jordan Maude 2, and goes back to the noted Medway Supreme Maude EX97 8E 19* LP160. Calved five weeks and producing 33 litres daily, this one joins a prominent pedigree Holstein herd based in County Louth.
Judge Lindsay Fleming from the 120-cow Potterswalls Holstein and Jersey Herd based at Seaforde in County Down praised the entries put forward for the pre-sale show. “The champion is a lovely heifer, really clean and full of dairy character, with good locomotion.”
Holstein NI club chairman Sam McCormick, and son John, had a clean sweep in the show ring, also lifting the reserve championship title. This is the third month in succession that the Bangor-based 300-cow herd has dominated the top spots in the championship line-up.
Next best at 2,850gns was the McCormick duo’s second prize winning Hilltara Steady Susan which sold to a County Tyrone herd. Born in May 2011, this potential sixth generation VG/EX heifer was sired by Stantons Steady ET, and is bred from Hilltara Freeman Susan 2 VG89 LP50. She calved two weeks ago is giving 38 litres daily.
Ronald McLean and Sons, Donaghmore, realised 2,550gns for the Comestar Lauthority ET daughter Relo
ugh Lauthority Blackrose. This twenty-five-month-old heifer is bred from the Picston Shottle daughter Relough Shottle Blackrose ET which gave over 10,551kgs at 3.89% butterfat and 3.34% protein in her third 305-day lactation. This second prize winner was also sold for export to County Louth.
Following close behind at 2,500gns was the unshown Ards Branson Jessica, an August 2011 born heifer consigned by Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards. She was sired by the home-bred Windy Knoll View Pronto son Ards Branson ET, and is out of the VG87 Ards Dictator Jessica who gave over 11,440kgs at 3.49% butterfat and 3.21% protein in her fourth 305-day lactation. Buyer was a Dromore-based herd owner.
The same bidder also shelled out 2,500gns to secure the reserve champion Hilltara Vangogh Firework. Sired by the Braedale Goldwyn son Van Gogh, this September 2011 born heifer is a daughter of Hilltara James Firework GP82 LP50. She calved two weeks ago and is currently producing 34 litres per day.
“The reserve champion is a nice heifer, very correct with good teat placement and a high and wide rear udder,” added the judge.
The McLean family’s honourable mention award winner Relough Danter Lamona came under the hammer at 2,450gns, also selling for export to County Louth. This three-year-old second calver was sired by the home-bred Picston Shottle son Relough Danter, and is bred from a dam by Ocean View Zenith.
A potential sixth generation VG/EX Gillette Jordan daughter bred by Geoffrey Patton, Carrowdore, came under the hammer at 2,350gns; while an Enseneda Taboo Planet daughter from the same vendor changed hands at 2,320gns.
Results from the judging ring:
Heifer in-milk, born between 15/01/11 and 01/08/11 – 1, and champion, Sam and John McCormick, Hilltara Damion Maude 8 by ERB Acres Damion; 2, Sam and John McCormick, Hilltara Steady Susan by Stantons Steady ET; 3, David and Alan Wallace, Abercorn Scooby Duu Frolic by Go Farm Scooby Duu.
Heifer in-milk, born between 02/08/11 and 30/01/12 – 1, and reserve champion, Sam and John McCormick, Hilltara Vangogh Firework by Van Gogh; 2, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Lauthority Blackrose by Comestar Lauthority; 3, Andrew Kennedy, Ballymena, Maineview Windbrook Doreen by Gillette Windbrook ET.
Cow in-milk – 1, and honourable mention, Ronald Mclean and Sons, Relough Danter Lamona by Relough Danter.
Holstein NI and Taaffe Auctions would like to wish its customers a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.
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