The Bangor-based Hilltara herd led the bidding in both the male and female sections at Holstein NI’s monthly show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena in Moira.

 

Sale leader and top priced bull at 3,450gns was the third placed Hilltara Simon ET, while heifer trade reached a ceiling of 2,750gns realised by the fourth placed Hilltara Wyman Charlotte.

 

The 300-cow herd owned by Sam and Trish McCormick, and son John, had a good day selling six heifers to average £2,422 per head.

 

The much admired Hilltara Simon ET PLI £170 was sired by Gillette Windbrook, and is bred from the VG89-3yr Hilltara Alexander Sara ET who gave over 8,400kgs at 4.48% butterfat and 3.20% protein in her first lactation. Backed by eight generations of VG and EX dams, this thirteen-month-old bull attracted a securing bid from John O’Brien, Jerrettspass, County Down. 

 

The 2,750gns Hilltara Wyman Charlotte was born September 2012 and is bred from eleven generations of VG and EX dams. Sired by the Braedale Goldwyn son Pirolo Goldwyn Wyman, she is bred from HIlltara Knowledge Charlotte 2 VG. Buyer was Gordon Davis, Dromore, County Tyrone.

 

As well as topping trade the Hilltara herd also scooped the female championship with the November 2013 born Hilltara Windbrook Bobby Joe. Sired by Gillette Windbrook, she is bred from the 2011 NI Calf Show champion Hilltara Lheros Bobby Joe GP81-2yr. Calved four weeks and producing 34 litres daily, this one sold for 2,420gns to Desmond and Jonathan Moore, Fintona, County Tyrone.

 

Judge Ian Watson from the 110-cow Majestic herd in Coleraine described the female champion as a good milky heifer. “She has a well caught udder, and will develop and mature into a good cow.”

 

Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, Donaghmore, sold the unshown Relough Shottle Roxie 25 ET for 2,720gns. This December 2013 born Picston Shottle daughter was bred from Relough Duplex Roxie 11 ET EX who averaged 8,787kgs at 4.14% butterfat and 3.17% protein in five lactations. She sold to Michael McBride from Plumbridge, CountyTyrone.

 

The McLean family claimed the reserve female championship with Relough Windbrook Danna 8. This potential tenth generation VG or EX heifer sold at 1,920gns to Michael McBride. She is calved two weeks and yielding 35 litres per day.

 

Honourable mention in the female section was Brague Gold Bullion, a February 2013 heifer from Robbie Mulligan’s herd at Banbridge. She  sold to George Kenneway from Cullybackey for 1,810gns.

 

Geoffrey Patton, Carrowdore, secured the male championship award. The fourteen-month-old Carrowcroft Richman PLI £335 was sired by Co-op Bosside Massey ET, and is out of the home-bred Carrowcroft Mr Legend Ruby VG86 who gave over 9,400kgs at 4.82% butterfat and 3.84% protein in her second 305-day lactation. Bred from ten generations of VG and EX dams he sold at 2,000gns to William Parke, Ballyward, County Down.

 

Runner-up in the male championship line-up was Prehen Silvio ET PLI £176, a February 2014 born Va- Early Dawn Sudan ET son bred by newly elected Holstein NI chairman Stuart Smith, and father Robbie, from Londonderry. He was bred from the Hardline Titanic daughter Silla EX-GER who has bull contracts in six countries, and gave over 15,600kgs in her second lactation. Buyer at 2,300gns was John O’Brien, Jerrettspass.

 

Steven Robinson, Crossgar, won the honourable mention award with the October 2013 Cluntagh Magua PLI £144. This heterozygous polled bull was unsold.

 

“There was a good show of bulls,” said Ian Watson. “The male champion and reserve champion bulls are similar. There was very little in it. They are nicely balanced and have strength and power throughout.”

 

Sponsor Richard Henning from Fane Valley Dairies was on hand to congratulate the winners and present the awards.

Other leading prices include:

 

Heifers:

S and J McCormick, 2,320gns for Hilltara Doberman Jacqui 2,320gns sold to Gordon Davis, Dromore; 2,300gns for Hilltara Mistral Daydream sold to Will Herron, Newtownhamilton; 2,250gns for Hilltara Iota Evelyn sold to Michael McBride.

 

Bulls: 

William and Andrew McCollum, Coleraine, 2,080gns for Ballycairn Massey Theo ET sold to Robert Shaw, Carryduff; and 1,920gns for Ballycairn CM Theo ET sold to Victor Draffin, Lurgan.

Ronald McLean and Sons, 2,000gns for Relough Futuristic sold to James Stevenson, Kilkeel.

Averages: 12 heifers £2,075 (100% clearance); 12 bulls £1,761 (80% clearance).