Holstein NI Launches Causeway Classic IV
2012-08-02

Holstein Northern Ireland has announced details of the Causeway Classic IV, which takes place at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012.

Finalising plans for the Causeway Classic IV, are from left: Gareth Bell, Genus ABS, sponsor; Sam McCormick, vice-chairman, and Jay Warden, chairman, Holstein NI; with Clarence Calderwood, United Feeds, spnosor; and auctioneer Michael Taaffe.

Commencing at 7.00pm, the event is generously supported by sponsors, Genus ABS and United Feeds, and the catalogue features 21 deep pedigreed heifers, two first-choice heifer calves, and four lots of embryos.

Holstein NI chairman Jay Warden said:”We are delighted to announce details of the Causeway Classic IV. Herds in the province boast some of the finest Holstein bloodlines available, and as a club we are privileged to host this event which will act as a shop window for genetics in Northern Ireland.”

The Causeway Classic was founded in 2009 and hit the headlines when an unborn heifer calf secured a 20,000gns European record, and 24 lots sold to average £4,000 per head. In 2010 prices reached a ceiling of 10,200gns, and the elite heifer calf entry averaged £3,900 per head. At last year’s event prices peaked at 10,000gns, while 17 lots changed hands to average £3,414.

The Causeway Classic IV catalogue features many of the world’s top cow families including Roxy, Elegance, Balise, Zahra, Oralie, Ambrosia, Tobi, Lou Ella and Regenia. Entries are sired by top AI bulls such as Atwood, Advent, Bolton, Palermo, Windbroo and Poos Stadel Classic; with first-choices by Tiergan, Allermar, Numero Uno and Gibbs-I Claynook Dude.

The sale also includes four lots of embryos from leading cow families and sired by high genomic bulls, including Mogul and Numero Uno, and by proven AI sires Trigger, Beacon and Classic.

Herds represented include Ards, Ballycrochan, Ballygrainey, Ballyloran, Carnhill, Castletru, Cluntagh, Glasson, Hilltara, Inch, Lissue, Potterswalls, Newry and Tullyfarm.

Auctioneer Michael Taaffe has been receiving entries from breeders throughout Northern Ireland, and assures prospective purchasers that the catalogue includes a selection of high calibre Holstein genetics.

“This year’s sale boasts another hugely impressive catalogue, maintaining the very high standard on which the Causeway Classic brand has been built over the years.”

The father and son team of Sam and John McCormick, Bangor, are offering a December 2011 born Gillette Windbrook daughter, which is a maternal sister to the 8,000gns Hilltara Goldwyn Maude 2 ET – one of the most admired calves at last year’s Causeway Classic. Bred from Hilltara Champion Maude (EX95 3E), she is a potential ninth generation VG/EX and is a direct descendant of the noted Medway Supreme Maude (EX97-8E-19*). This heifer (lot 10) offers breeders a unique opportunity to acquire a Maude, as she is only the 5th Maude female ever to sell from Hilltara.

Jim Stevenon’s Newry Herd based Kilkeel, has consigned a very interesting member of the well-known Blondin Supra family. This five-month-old Comestar Lauthority daughter (lot 15) is bred from a (VG86-2yr) Dundee dam who is a full sister to the much-admired Blondin Dundee Saralys (EX93-USA). The Granddam is Blondin R Market Sublime (EX93-7*) (EX95-MS); and this is the same family as Blondin Redman Seism (EX95) – champion red and white at World Dairy Expo Madison and the Royal Winter Fair in 2011.

The Ballygrainey Herd, owned by Holstein NI chairman Jay Warden, is offering the first member of the renowned Atlee family to be sold in Northern Ireland. The November 2011 born heifer (lot 9) is an End Road Beacon daughter out of Velthuis Jasper Albany ET (VG-2Yr-Can). The granddam is Allyndale-I Goldwyn Albany (VG-2yr-Can) – a full sister to the No:1 genomic type bull Atwood; while the third dam is the All-Amercian MD Delight Durham Atlee (EX92-USA).

Conor McAufield’s Lissue Herd has consigned the No:5 Genomic (CDN 7/12) ranked R-E-W Seaver daughter in the world (lot 21). Bred from the USA Ralma Christmas Fudge family, her dam Castletru Socrates Candy ET (VG87-2yr) was purchased for 6,600gns at the Causeway Classic in 2010, and has attracted a lot of international AI interest.

Philip and Simon Haffey are selling a very special member of the outstanding Sara family (lot 8). Born in October 2011, this Gillette Windbrook daughter is bred from the prize winning Glasson KJ Jasper Sara (VG88-2yr). This lot is a maternal granddaughter of the noted Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 (EX-2nd calf) – supreme champion at Balmoral Show, and McLarnon’s/NISA Dairy Cow of the Year in 2011.

Watch press for further details or log on to Holstein NI’s website for regular updates: www.holstein-ni.co.uk. Catalogues are available on request from auctioneer Michael Taaffe on 00353 41 9881288.

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