Triumphant day for Boclair

The February edition of the Border and Lakeland Holstein club sale took place at Borderway, Carlisle in front of a packed ringside of buyers with a quality offering of freshly calved cows and heifers consigned from some of the UK’s leading dairy herds.  Demand for quality heifers remains strong however there was a noticeable drop in value on some of the higher end pedigrees resulting in the month average being slightly down to £2071.82 for eighty nine lots sold.

The show was sponsored by Zoetis and Cogent and expertly judged by John Metcalfe from the Crossfell herd near Kirkby Thore.  His overall champion went to Logan Atwood Roxy consigned by BG Yates, East Logan Farm, Castle Douglas.  Roxy was a granddaughter of their famous Royal Highland Champion Logan Outside Roxy EX94 and sold for 2,600gns to the judge.  The Reserve Champion was won by Boclair Triumphant Joan consigned by J Brewster, Boclair Farm, Glasgow, she was bred from five generations of Excellent or Very Good dams tracing back to the Royal Show Champion Boclair Joan 66 BFE 100.  She sold for 2,900gns to an undisclosed buyer.

The Brewster family sold a number of quality heifers including Boclair Saratoga Elegance who sold for 2,700gns to JT & EM Marrs & Son, Broomhills, Carlilse.  She was bred from the famous Elegance cow family from the USA that is now becoming one of the top families at Boclair.

A Waddell & Son, Dewshill Farm, Lanarkshire purchased a number super uddered animals including Wormanby Final Cut Lucy consigned by H,M & D Hodgson, Wormanby Farm, Carlisle.  Lucy was bred from three Very Good dams and displayed one of the finest udders in the sale, she sold for 2,400gns.

It is worth mentioning that this is probably the best time for many years to buy dairy cattle with feed prices at their current levels combined with the recent milk prices.  Although many commentators have been talking about world production increasing over the next twenty four months demand for milk and milk products will also increase.  In 2013 China’s increased demand alone equalled the increase in production of the USA, EU, Australia and New Zealand. 

Leading Prices

LOT   PURCHASER                     PURCHASERS ADDRESS                                                       GNS

Averages

10 Cows in milk/calf                     £2021.25

79 Heifers in milk/calf                  £2079.48

Overall average                  £2071.82

Prize List