Steven Innes of Newmeadow Holsteins, Nairn, purchased the 11,000gns top-priced Holstein – a five-month-old heifer calf – at the on-farm Firstlook sale, staged at Ivy House Farm, Weston Under Redcastle, Shrewsbury.
The event, staged by new breeders James and Steph Doherty and Canadian-based Tom Lomas of TLC Genetics, from Firstlook and TLC Genetics, included guest consignments from the Drointon, Jackpot, Jones, Knowlesmere, Nobold, Riverdane, Sweetpea and Thistlerose herds and produced a sale average £3000 per life.
Sale leader was Firstlook TLC Black Pearl, a daughter of Davinci, bred from 5guys Blexy Black Raptor ET, the winning All Britain two-year-old in 2021 following her win at the National Show.
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Second-top price was 8000gns paid for the five-month-old heifer Firstlook Jackpot Hanx Saltamaccia, purchased by Frank Philipson, Dacre, Penrith. Sired by Siemers Hanan Hanx P, Saltamaccia is a direct daughter of the winning winter milking yearling at UK Dairy Expo, Firstlook Jackpot Sara. Her pedigree boasts five generations of show winners either in the UK, Switzerland or Canada.
The nine-month-old heifer calf, Firstlook Ryder Esprit Red, was next in the money at 6000gns when selling to John Sherratt and Hope Valley Holsteins, Wem, Shrewsbury. A daughter of Koepon Oh Ryder Red, she is out of S Bro Doorman Esprit. Firstlook Davinci Ashlyn, a 14-month-old, made 4300gns. She is sired by Davinci, bred from Riverdane Tatoos Ashlyn, and headed home with Enchanted Holsteins, Elswick, Preston.
Just behind, on 4200gns, Firstlook Blacklabel Aperol Spritz Red headed down to Wales with Messrs Vasami, Llandysul, Dyfed. Her pedigree features Hoogerhorst DG OH Rubels-Red and the dam, Firstlook Blacklabel LB Afligem.
Drointon Holsteins, owned by Andrew and Debbie MacKellar from Staffordshire, sold 16 heifers from top cow families to a top of 6400gns for Drointon Showtime Muddled, purchased by the Tartan Army syndicate, Scotland. A daughter of Jacobs Showtime, this three-month-old heifer calf is out of Redhead Lambda Muddle.
Kevin and Alison Lawrie, Maybole, Ayrshire, went to 6300gns for the eight-month-old heifer, Riverdane WKD Sharon from Mark and Sue Nutsford, of Riverdane Holsteins Cheshire, who sold 10 heifers. Sharon is sired by Woodcrest King Doc and bred from the 2021 reserve All Britain intermediate two-year-old, Riverdane Chief Sharon Ex93. Young dairy breeder Rory Scott, Mossblown, gave 5400gns for the 16-month-old heifer, Knowlesmere Chief Britany from A and J Whittaker and G and I Jones, Moneylawn, Clough, Gorey, Wexford, Eire. Bred from TLC Jordy Britany, she is sired by Stantons Chief.
Tim Abbott and Mike Duckett, owners of Showbox Sires in the USA, consigned 30 embryos of which two sold for 1250gns. First at this money were five Tentastic embryos from Duckett Parfect Holly, which is a direct daughter of Have Not 8784 – a King Doc daughter that sold for $1,925,000 in 2022.
Another package of five embryos made the same money and was paid for a flush from the 2023 All American winning senior two-year-old, Mile View Shelly Of Helmcrest, and a mutually agreeable sire.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Averages: five heifers in milk, £3543.75; five in-calf heifers, £4179.00; six yearling heifers, £2310.00; 49 heifer calves, £2861.92; 30 embryos, £1128.75
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