Pedigree dairy sale reaches a top price of 3,650gns

The sale was held at the Borderway Sale Centre in Carlisle during the week, as concern about bluetongue in the United Kingdom continued. Harrison and Hetherington Ltd described the offering as “one of the best group of cows and heifers ever offered in the Border & Lakeland Sale”.

Stowbeck Crushabull Mavis 7 achieved the day’s top price. Born in July 2024, the heifer had a profitable lifetime index (PLI) of £61, a breeding measure comparable with Ireland’s Economic Breeding Index. Her dam, rated VG85 at two years, produced 14,000kg of milk in her third lactation, with fat content of 4.59% and protein of 3.44%.

The heifer, from the Cumbia line, was also named the show’s champion. A further 10 animals from the Stowbeck herd sold at an average exceeding £3,000. Errolston Attico Zwartina took the reserve championship and was the highest-priced cow, changing hands for 3,100gns.

Three other heifers sold for 3,500gns apiece. Berryholme Davinci Flo was born in February 2024 and had a PLI of £83; her dam produced 14,907kg in its fourth lactation, with 4.28% fat and 3.27% protein. Broadmeadows Renegade Carol, born in April 2024, had a PLI of £433, while her dam produced 13,820kg in its second lactation at 5.18% fat and 3.83% protein.

Parkend Rubels Betsy, born in June 2024, had a PLI of £183. Her dam produced 14,390kg in its third lactation, with 3.52% fat and 3.17% protein. Netherside Watson Gail, born in March 2024, was the sale’s highest-production heifer and among its highest-genomic heifers. She had a PLI of £426, was giving 49kg of milk and sold for 3,450gns.

The overall average was £3,054 per head. The 91 heifers in milk averaged £3,054.76, while nine cows in milk averaged £2,846.76. Nine in-calf heifers averaged £2,420.83, and two heifer calves averaged £1,942.50.