Pedigree dairy heifers reached a ceiling of 2,000gns at Holstein NI’s monthly show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Leading the sale was the day’s supreme champion Newry Buckles Mayflower, a potential fourth generation VG and EX heifer consigned by the father and son team of Jim and James Stevenson, Kilkeel, County Down.

Born in July 2012, she was sired by the home-bred REW Buckeye son Newry Buckles ET, and is out of the VG88 Newry Starboy D Mayflower who gave over 14,200kgs at 3.88% butterfat and 3.14% protein in her fourth 305-day lactation. Buyer was Gavin McKnight from Templepatrick, County Antrim.

Mr McKnight also paid out 1,980gns to secure the Stevenson family’s honourable mention award winner Newry Buckles Aline. Sired by Newry Buckles ET, this April 2012 born heifer is a daughter of Newry Dotman Aline, who gave almost 13,000kgs at 3.70% butterfat and 3.14% protein in her first 305-day lactation.

Next best at 1,740gns was the fourth prize winning Ballygrainey Bolton Darkie exhibited by Jay Warden, Bangor, County Down. Born in January 2012, she was sired by Sandy Valley Bolton ET and is out of a home-bred dam by Ladino Park Talent. This potential eighth generation VG and EX heifer was snapped up by John Stewart from Portaferry, County Down.

Jim and James Stevenson scored a hat-trick in the showring, claiming the supreme, reserve and honourable mention awards under judge Richard Charles from the Beltonanean herd based at Cookstown, County Tyrone.

The pre-sale show was generously sponsored by Masons Animal Feeds, with company representatives Colin Purdy and Mark Johnston on hand to congratulate the winners and present the awards.

“It was a buyers’ market with quality heifers selling from 1,320gns to a top of 2,000gns, and averaging £1,786 per head, “said auctioneer Michael Taaffe.

“Falling milk prices have left buyers cautious, and this has been reflected in the recent trade for dairy stock across the country. However, the monthly offering at Moira offers consistency, and represents excellent value-for-money, with freshly calved milking heifers and young cows, backed by generations of dams with volumes of milk and components.