The Dispersal sale of the entire COWSIDE Herd of pedigree Holstein cattle on behalf of John and Val Robinson and family of Harmby Moor, Leyburn, North Yorkshire took place at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire in front of a large crowd of purchasers who had travelled from as far as Cumbria, Pembrokeshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Warwickshire as well as the locality and its surrounding counties resulting in a really fast trade particularly for the milkers and calves.

 

The herd resided high up in the Yorkshire Dales and achieved an average of more than 8700 kg with no maize in the diet. Very little AI was used, instead the great majority sired by purchased stock bulls.

 

Trade was really good for the milkers with this possibly being the best so far this Spring when comparing like with like. The top was 2000 gns achieved for Cowside Daniel Fudge (VG86), a 7th generation VG/EX daughter of Ingleview Daniel that calved her second last November and was back in calf again for October. She sold to Andrew Bargh of Skelton, Carlisle. Next at 1850 gns was the second calf Cowside Zebra Tippy (VG85) who freshened at the beginning of December and was sold giving 47 kg. She sold to JG & CA Bayley of Nuneaton. Close behind at 1820 gns was Cowside Supersire Poppy 2nd (GP81) another December calved second calver sold giving 38 kg and purchased by Andrew Miller of Tattenhall.

 

Two animals made 1800 gns each; the first of these was Cowside Kiwi Buttercup 2nd (Ex91) a daughter of Dunnerdale Kiwi who calved her fourth in February and sold giving 56 kg. She was one of 17 animals purchased by MW Roberts & Co., of Rhewl, Ruthin, Denbighshire. The other at this price was another Lynncrest Zebra daughter, Cowside Zebra Melloney who calved her second in February and sold to JL & EM Parker & Son of Haughton, Stafford.

 

In calf heifers sold to 1000 gns on three occasions, all for heifers due in late July and sired by either of two former stock bulls Studdah Roscoe and Studdah Dark. Maiden heifers were the hardest trade of the day no doubt not helped by the late Spring weather conditions and lack of grass and sold to 720 gns for a May 2015 born daughter of Molenkamp Griffith P with a PLI of £270 from the Molli family. Calves following their dams however, met with a good trade and were far easier sold than the maidens and making as much money as their herdmates which were some six months older. Top price calf was 800 gns for the January born Cowside Messiah Molli Red, a lovely daughter of Apina Messiah P Red which sold to Ledgers Farms of Dover, Kent.

 

The farms three stock bulls bred in the Annadale, Feizor and Stardale Herds were also included and topped at 1750 gns for the eldest of them, the January 2013 Feizor Daylight sired by Lauthority and bred from an incredible of 5 high scoring straight Excellent daughters of the Dellia family. He was purchased by DN Bennett of Meifod, Powys.

 

AVERAGES: 144 Cows and Heifers In-milk £1101.86 (including 45 heifer calves at £298.20); 65 Served Heifers £737.26; 60 Maiden Heifers and Stirks £392.35; 3 Bulls £1207.50.

 

WRIGHT MARSHALL of Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire were the Auctioneers.