Demand remains for fresh cows as Borderway Holsteins top at 2,900gns
Trade averaged £1,379 at the first Border Lakeland Holstein sale of the year, peaking at 2,900gns for a V Doorman daughter.
Topping the trade, which was down £355 on the year, was the Bowberhill herd of WM Hutchinson and Son, Rookby, Kirkby Stephen, with Bowberhill Doorman Papoose, bought by Messrs Lawrie, Pettinain, Lanarkshire. This was out of Bowberhill Gerard Papoose, itself a daughter of Bowberhill Sam Papoose.
The winning Senior heifer was the Overall Champion, Chishillways Mark Frieda who was bred from five generations of Excellent or Very Good cows and sired by Carhall Mark. She sold for 2,400gns to T Forsyth, Isle Farm.
Next in the money at 2,400gns was Chishillways Mark Frieda from P and CA Harrison, East Heddon, Newcastle upon Tyne with a Carhall Mark EX91 daughter out of Chishillways Shottle Frieda going to T Forsyth, Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire.
The same vendors and buyer saw the third highest price on the day with Chishillways Goldfish Shirley for 2,300gns, which was awarded overall champion. This August 2013 born heifers was rated PLI+34 and was by TOC-Farm Goldfish out of Chilshillways Tamos Shirley.
Averages were £355 down on last January and £796 down on January 2014, according to dairy auctioneer Glyn Lucas.
“This gives a little perspective of where dairy cow trade currently is,” he told Farmers Weekly, noting recent interest turning to freshly calved animals.
“Even though there is a fairly bad depression in the industry there is still strong demand for freshly calved animals.
“A high percentage of animals were bought by commercial producers wanting a high quality animal. We are seeing buyers being more selective and looking at every penny, which is when pedigree and quality really comes into play.
“If you compare the average drop in milk price it does correlate quite strongly with cow prices.”
Averages: 19 cows in milk/calf, £1155.55; 94 heifers in milk/calf, £1379.38. 100% clearance
(Harrison and Hetherington)