After 70 years at the forefront of the black and white breed, it was no surprise when the dispersal of the C.B Cooper Partnership’s celebrated Noremead herd was announced, interest in the sale was immense. Several hundred people filled the barn at East Farm and after two days every animal found a buyer with 29 making 2,000gns or more and a peak of 6,000. Despite the deep depression in the industry and the unfavourable TB situation in the area, over 80 buyers were keen to make the most of the last opportunity to acquire the famous Noremead bloodlines. 

The sale topper appeared late on the second day when Noremead Glauco Sume made 6,000 guineas to John Jordan for his Ecstasy herd. At 3,200 guineas the bidding looked almost over then in five quick-fire bids she rocketed to 6,000 and John claimed this superb heifer. The Sume family was in great demand and is perhaps better known as Sweet, descending from the famous Conant-Acres family. The Glauco is bred from 14 generations of EX/VG cows and her mother, Noremead Rockafella Sume VG87, topped the first day selling for 5,100gns to a partnership of Elwyn and Cheryl Thomas with Jeff and Anthea Daw. This lovely cow will live at Gelligatrog in South Wales joined by six other herd mates purchased at the sale. 

The daughters of Cogent Twist were particularly impressive and one of these was chosen as the picture for the cover. Noremead Twist Helena EX91 was a truly special individual and sold three months calved giving 54kg daily. At 5,000gns she was the third highest price and also crosses the Severn Bridge into Wales.  Her three-month old daughter by Crackholm Fever was the highest priced heifer calf at 1,450gns selling to Mr P J Evans from Chippenham.

The young stock were really the easiest things to sell and it appears dairy farmers are very wary of investing in animals in-milk or close to it, but happier to put money into quality heifers for production in a year or so time. Summer calving heifers were tricky to sell but three made 2,000 or more. Autumn calvers sold nicely to a top of 2,350gns for Noremead Glauco Helena 3, a sister to the 5,000gns Twist Helena and to the 4,200gns Noremead Million Helena VG89, a first purchase for young Leanne Hedges – good luck to her for her new herd. 

The calves at foot on day one were a buoyant trade averaging nearly £800 apiece for 82 and the yearlings on day two levelled out at over £1,000 with the feature being John Jordan’s Sume at 6,000gns. Top priced bull calf was 2,000gns for an Alexander from the Magpie family. 

This was the end of an era to see one of the breed’s oldest and best known herds go under the hammer and whilst it was a sad day for the connections and the Noremead fans, the name will doubtless live on as most of the cattle have gone to good herds and will be in the hands of keen breeders. 

26-27 May