Dungannon farmers’ mart, Co. Tyrone, held the dispersal sale of the Dechomet herd for Bill and Gordon McCully, Castlewellan, Co. Down, last Thursday (February 4).
The sale of the entire milking herd of 120 cows; 10 springing heifers; 35 served heifers; and an 18 month old pedigree Holstein stock-bull.
The herd was milked on a robot, averaging over 11,000L with cows milking up to 74L and heifers milking up to 53L.
To get a bit of insight into the trade at the Co. Tyrone mart, AgriLand caught up with the auctioneer Michael Taaffe of Taaffe Auctions.
”This sale of an impressive year-round calving herd of young cows continued the strong trade that is being seen everywhere with anything fresh and in milk in high demand,” Taaffe said.
British Friesian bulls: Catlane Chad; and Sky-High Patrol.
Photo source: Taaffe auctions
Michael added: ”We are seeing a very brisk dairy trade at the moment; top price of the day for milking stock was made by two freshly calved heifers for 2,950gns [guineas].” One gns is equivalent to £1.05 or €1.16.
”The group of 35 served heifers (due to calf in September and October) with the prices reaching 1,750gns.”
”Top price of the day went to superbly bred 18 month old Holstein stock-bull Newbirks Soul ET-full brother to Newbirks Jazz 1584 (EX96-3E) Champion Cow UK Dairy Day 2019. He sold for 3,100gns.”
Photo source: Taaffe auctions