Western Holstein Club sale secures 4,700gns high
The unpredictability of the spring weather was sharply reflected in the trade at the Western Holstein Club’s Focus Milk sale where bidding for some lots exceeded vendors’ expectations – but shrewd buyers managed to pick-up good cattle at handy money on a day coping with the full effects of the Arctic conditions.
Ringsiders at the pre-sale show at Beeston Castle in Cheshire didn’t get a chance to see Cumbria breeders Steve and Patricia Bell’s smart Goldwyn heifer on parade because she wasn’t shown. But when Holmland Goldwyn Petula hit the sale ring there was no stopping her.
The Bell’s only entry on the day, this beautifully-bred heifer had already been scored (VG87-2yr) and was the 10th generation of her pedigree to attain the highest two grades. Behind her she has the top-rated brood cow La Presentation Daurel (Ex) as her 4th dam. Calved just a month and already showing outstanding udder quality, she made the day’s top price of 4700gns to join the Cracking Herd of C S A Brassington and Son, Roden, Shropshire.
The Brassingtons also bought the day’s second top seller, Dunnerdale Talent Sabrina 7th from Steve Boow’s herd on the west Cumbria coast at Millom. By Talent and giving 32kg after five weeks of parlour duties, she has eight generations of VG/EX dams behind her and is bred from the herd’s famous Sabrina family.
There was no shortage of tales of treacherous journeys from travellers to the sale and judge Alan Smith of the Bumblebee herd in Leicestershire was typical of many who had braved the atrocious conditions. His champion was Styche Outside Sally from local vendors Seaton Farms, Audlem. By Comestar Outside she has a deep pedigree with nine generations of VG/EX dams in direct line behind her as well as a (VG88-2yr) sister. She was giving 35kg and made 3000gns selling to regular south west Scotland buyers Baltier Farming Company, Wigtownshire.
The reserve title went to the fresh second calf cow Birchcross Goldwyn Empress from Harold and Pat Crapper of Dronfield, Derbyshire. She made 2200gns to J G and C A Bayley, Nuneaton.
Sharing the wagon ride home to Baltier Farming Company’s herd was, Hendy Allen Bethan, a daughter Magor Baroque Allen from Aled Jones, Caernarforn. She made 2600gns.
The best of the in-calf heifers reached 2000gns for a Jeeves daughter due in May and consigned by Norfolk vendors J F Temple and Son Ltd.
Averages: four cows £1916; 36 calved heifers £2058 and six in-calf heifers £1863. Total 46 head £2021.
(Wright Manley)