Oswestry Dairy Herd Sale Sets UK Record at Auction

An auction centre near Oswestry has set a new UK record at a dairy herd dispersal sale, organized by Halls auctioneers on behalf of Guto and Ellie Lewis from Frankton Hall. The commercial autumn calving Holstein herd saw 101 in-milk cows sold at an average price of £2,523.55, while heifers averaged £2,554.

The herd, comprising 158 cattle, produced yields just under 10,000 kilos of milk, with a butterfat content of 4.79% and protein at 3.54%. Most of the cattle had calved since last August. The sale, held just 12 days after initial discussions due to the herd being in top form, attracted 44 buyers from across England and Wales, securing a UK record for a commercial herd's average selling price.

Notable sales included 55 cattle at prices between £2,500 and £3,000, 29 between £3,000 and £3,500, and the highest price of £3,500 for a second calved cow. Among the highlights were a fifth lactation cow and a third calved Applejax daughter, both selling for £3,450, and an August calved Denovo Sizzler heifer fetching £3,400.

Johnny Dymond, Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager, commented on the success of the sale: "This was a day that will go down in history. Huge thanks to all the buyers and staff, especially to Guto and Ellie for trusting Halls with this special sale." The sale notably featured two Jerseys, offspring of a wedding gift belonging to Guto and Ellie’s children, Medi and Alffi, which also fetched competitive prices.