Vedw Holstein dispersal tops 1600gns

Mid-summer can often be a cautious time for dairy stock prices, but there’s no sign of that happening this year. You only had to be in Herefordshire last week to see how buyers are still clamouring for cows. At the dispersal of the Vedw Holstein herd, held on behalf of D J Farr, the 105 cows averaged £1080 an achieved a top price of 1600gns.

This was a day of solid trading for genuine cattle with plenty of milk behind them. Prices of £1000 and over were recorded for 54 lots with 11 others making over £900.

But the highpoint at Mr Farr’s Pontrilas-based farm was the top call given for the calved heifer Vedw Cousteau Kitty. This Silky Cousteau daughter is due in December to Comestar Lee and is out of a 10,280kg dam by AV Solid Gold. Buyer was H E Hosken, Helston, Cornwall.

And he made the trip worthwhile with a 1450gns call to secure another calved heifer, Vedw Lee Honour. She is also by Lee and out of a 12,157kg dam by Southland Marker and is in-calf for August to Comestar Outside.Cows reached 1480gns when Pembrokeshire buyers E M and A D Davies from Narberth took a Crichel Principal sired second calver. Vedw Principal Buttercup gave 7300kg as a heifer and was giving 40.6kg when recorded eight weeks into her second lactation.

Best of the maiden heifers was the 13-month-old Vedw Outside Rose bred out of a 10,431kg Joylan Roxcell daughter. She made 780gns.

Averages: 105 cows £1080; 17 maiden heifers £668. (Gwilym Richards and Co).