Clover Sells For 8,000 Gns At Ayrshire National Sale

The 2014 Northern National Ayrshire Sale once again attracted a top class line up of Ayrshires and Red & Whites, consigned from many of the top breeders in the mainland.  Buyers from across the UK packed the ringside to see the trade top at 8,000gns and to average over £2000 per life.  The event was sponsored by Almins and Cattle Services (Ayr) Ltd, and commenting after the event Archie Leitch - from Almins - said “...it has been a super sale today and Almins are proud to have such a close association with many of the top breeders in the country, and it is great to see this event continuing to improve year on year”.

Breaking the record price for an Ayrshire sold at the Northern National sale was Sandyford Star Clover 3, at 8,000gns, a grand-daughter of Sandyford Clover 10 EX 97 5E LP100.  This beautiful Burdette daughter flirted with perfection, winning Reserve Champion overall.  She had been placed second in the February born calf class at the National Calf Show just a few weeks ago, with many breeders describing her as a reflection of her prize winning grandmother, who has won more Interbreed Championships than any dairy cow in UK history.  She now joins the herd of A Rimmer, Sandway Farm, Lancashire. 

Sandyford Clover 10 has not only been the most successful show cow the UK has ever seen, but she has produced over 100 ton of milk, peaking at over 12,000 kgs, with high butterfat and protein.  Reinforcing the value of the show ring as one of the best ways to market elite cattle her Burdette son topped the bull trade, selling for 5,000 gns to T. Irwin, Fintona, N.Ireland.

The Fragy family from Hunnington has long been admired as one of the breed’s top breeding lines of cows.  Selling from this prolific family was Hunnington Flash consigned by C & L Window.  He was sired by Tornado and bred from an EX 95 point dam, following an EX94 grand dam with over 80 tonnes lifetime.  This stylish young bull sold for 3,700 gns to the Plaskettlands & Horse Close herds in Cumbria & Dumfriesshire.

The trade for milkers was especially strong with a wealth of buyers prepared to pay a premium for quality, with 16 heifers selling for or above the £2000 mark.   The show was judged by Michael Norbury from Booth Ayrshires who placed Cuthill Towers Willies Easylady as his overall champion.  She was sired by Cuthill Towers Regal Willie and is bred from three VG dams.  She was consigned by A & S Lawrie and topped the milking trade at 2,600 gns, selling to the judge.  Cuthill Towers sold a number of super uddered heifers mostly sired by the home bred Cuthill Towers Regal Willie.  Selling for 2,200 gns was Cuthill Towers Willies Sparkle, purchased by the Allison family from Ayr.

The Davidson family, from Halmyre, Castle Douglas, sold a tremendous group of especially well uddered heifers, selling Halmyre Urr Brown Bud for 2,000 gns to J McGhie & Sons.  They also sold Halmyre Urr Ladybird for 2,000 gns, she was sired by Journeyman from a VG dam, and now joins the herd of J S Watson, Stranraer.

Leading Prices

Lot     Price             Purchaser
52      8000gns        A Rimmer, Sandway Farm, Holmeswood, Ormskirk, Lancashire  
93      5000gns        T Irwin, 246 Tattyreagh Road, Fintona, Co Omagh, Northern Ireland

97      3700gns        
Half Share purchase
Messrs Armstrong, Plasketlands, Mawbray, Maryport, Cumbria and 
J A McGarva, Horse Close Farm, Cummertrees, Annan, Dumfriesshie

89      2800gns        F J & M Mattinson & Sons, Rosewain Farm, Wigton, Cumbria
34      2600gns        A Norbury, Booth Hall Farm, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire
94      2500gns        G Lawrie, Sandyford Farm, Monkton, Prestwick, Ayrhire
95      2500gns        G & G Templeton, Knowe Farm, Auchinleck, Crumnock, Ayrshire

Averages

40 Heifers in milk - £1833.04
10 Bulls - £2488.50
1 Maiden heifer - £8400
5 In-calf heifers - £1432.20
33 In-calf heifers from Heemskerk - £1473.75