Moira Holsteins Peak at 3,550gns
2011-12-16

There was a buoyant trade for dairy stock at Holstein NI’s December show and sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

The champion at Holstein NI's Christmas show and sale, Moira, was Hilltara Monsoon Echo owned by Sam McCormick, Bangor, and shown by Denis O'Neill. Included are Matt Tungate, BRL Gypsum, sponsor; and Gary Reid, Drumbo. judge.

With a complete clearance from start to finish the 36 females on offer changed hands to average 2,178gns per head. “We had cows and heifers to suit all requirements, and at a variety of prices ranging from 1,450gns to a top of 3,550gns,” explained auctioneer Michael Taaffe.

Top price of the day 3,550gns was paid to Aubrey Patterson, Bangor, for the April 2009 born Ballycrochan Sam Nina. Sired by Regancrest Mr Drham Sam, this one is bred from Ballycrochan Cevis Nina which gave over 7,800kgs at 4.54%BF and 3.22%P in her second 305 day lactation. This potential seventh generation VG and EX heifer sold to David McClug who runs the Fortvale herd based at Crossgar, County Down.

As the buyer of the top priced lot at the Christmas show and sale Mr McClurg received a Marks and Spencer hamper from Holstein NI vice-chairman Jay Warden.

Next best at 3,400gns was the honourable mention award winner Relough Lightning Danna brought out by Ronald McLean, and sons Malcolm and Barry, from Donaghmore, County Tyrone. This November 2009 born heifer was sired by the Regancrest Elton Durham son, Lylehaven Lightning, and is bred from eight generations of VG and EX dams. Her dam Relough Jefferson Danna gave over 9,500kgs at 3.63%BF and 3.18%P in her second 305 day lactation. Calved three weeks and giving 33kgs per day, she caught the eye of a County Tyrone milk producer.

The same bidder went to 3,000gns to secure the September 2009 born Hilltara Bonair Tippy, a potential ninth generation VG and EX heifer from the herd of Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, County Down. Sired by the Comestar Lheros son, Karona Bonair ET, her dam is the VG88 Hilltara Jordan Tippy which produced over 10,800kgs at 3.87%BF and 3.37%P in her third 305 day lactation.

Following close behind at 2,900gns was Hilltara Duplexx Besty, a January 2009 born heifer bred from Hilltara Samuelo Betsy which produced over 7,600kgs at 4.02%BF and 3.41%P in her first 305 lactation. This one also joins David McClurg’s Fortvale herd.

Next best at 2,820gns was the second prize winning Castletru Leroy Myrtle consigned by Messrs Truesdale from Newcastle, County Down. Born in July 2009 she is by the home-bred Picston Shottle son, Castletru Leroy ET. Calved four weeks, she produced 27kgs at 5.29%BF and 3.44%P at her first milk recording. This one caught the eye of Gary Bryson from Poyntzpass.

A fourth prize winner from Harry Patton and Sons, Newtownards, County Down, came under the hammer at 2,750gns. Ards Spartan Lenora is a daughter of the home-bred Ards Spartan Red ET – a son of the noted Rosedale L Rampage Red. This two-year-old heifer was snapped up by a County Tyrone buyer.

Judge Gary Reid, Drumbo, awarded the supreme championship ribbons to the November 2009 Hilltara Monsoon Echo consigned by Sam and John McCormick. She is a maternal sister to the noted Hilltara Champion Echo EX91; and her dam, Hilltara Jornalist Echo EX91 2E LP50 gave over 10,800kgs at 4.68%BF and 3.21%P in her fifth 305 day lactation. This potential tenth generation VG and EX heifer is four weeks calved and giving 33kgs daily. At 2,700gns she joins the Aghyaran herd owned by Trevor Keatley at Castlederg, County Tyrone.

“It has been a very good show with two excellent classes of heifers. The animals on offer are functional dairy heifers suitable for modern-day farms. The champion is stylish well-made heifer,” explained the judge. “The reserve champion is another stylish heifer with a super udder.”

The awards were handed over by Matt Tungate of BRL Gypsum.

The reserve champion, Relough Albatross Bessie, changed hands at 2,650gns for Messrs McLean. Born in April 2009 she is by the home-bred Braedale Goldwyn son, Relough Albatross ET. Calved three weeks she is currently yielding 30kgs per day.

Other leading prices include:

2,450gns – Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Boliver Danna 4 to a County Tyrone buyer.
2,300gns – Sam and John McCormick, Hilltara Lheros Audrey to Norman Kee, Trillick, County Tyrone; Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Mascol Fashion to George Forsythe, Cloughmills.
2,280gns – Stephen Haffey and Sons, Lurgan, Kilvergan Empire Dawn to S Morton, Corbet, Banbridge, County Down; and Alan Patterson, Donaghadee, Herdstown Ally Manor Duchess to D Johnston, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
2,220gns – Stephen Haffey and Sons, Kilvergan Sam Beauty 2 to Will Herron Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.
2,200gns – Stephen Haffey and Sons, Kilvergan Sam Hazel 2 to R Armstrong, Trillick, County Tyrone.
2,180gns – Sean McKeown, Newry, Roadside II Porter to Will Herron, Newtownhamilton.

Results from the judging ring include:

Heifer in-milk, born between November 2008 and August 2009 – 1, and reserve champion, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Albatross Bessie by Relough Albatross ET (Braedale Goldwyn); 2, J Truesdale and Sons, Newcastle, Castletru Leroy Myrtle by Castletru Leroy ET (Picston Shottle); 3, Aubrey Patterson, Bangor, Ballycrochan Sam Nina by Regancrest Mr Drham Sam.

Heifer in-milk born between September 2009 and December 2009 – 1, and supreme champion, Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, Hilltara Monsoon Echo by Hilltara Monsoon (Innwood Terrason); 2, and honourable mention, Ronald McLean and Sons, Relough Lightning Danna by Lylehaven Lightning; 3, Stephen Haffey and Sons, Lurgan, Kilvergan Sam Beauty 2 by Regancrest Mr Drham Sam.

Holstein NI and Taaffe Auctions would like to wish its customers a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.

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