Laurelhill dispersal peaks at 8,500gns

Fay family dominates with 62 members averaging £3,003 per head

Holstein enthusiasts travelled from throughout the UK and Ireland to attend the dispersal of Brian and Anne Mawhinney’s noted Laurelhill herd, held on-farm at Doagh, County Antrim.

Prices soared to a top of 8,500gns, and a further 30 lots attracted bids in excess of 3,000gns each.

Auctioneer Michael Taaffe described the sale as exceptional. “The catalogue was packed full of deep pedigrees and cows with high yields and super components. Bidding was brisk from start to finish, and the Fay family was certainly sought-after, with 62 family members selling to average £3,003 per head. “

Sale leader was the much-admired second calver Laurelhill Maestro Fay ET VG88 (PLI £227). Sired by Cogent Maestro, she is bred from Laurelhill Ford Fay EX91, and produced over 10,500kgs at 5.17%BF and 3.70%P in her heifer lactation. Calved four months and yielding 38kgs daily, she attracted a flurry of bids from the packed salering. Successful bidder was Eryl Done from Wyevalley Dairy Genetics Ltd based at Ladybank Farm, Credenhill, Hereford, who purchased a total of eight lots, including her full sister, Laurelhill Maestro B Fay ET VG86 (PLI £197) at 3,000gns.

A daughter of the sale leader, Laurelhill Prince Fay ET (PLI £106), sold at 3,600gns to Kathleen Dwyer from Killorglin, County Kerry.

Second highest price of the day 5,600gns was realised by the January 2008 born Laurelhill Roxell Fay EX90 (PLI £221). She is by Joylan Roxell, and is a maternal sister to the sale leader. In-calf and due shortly to Morningview Levi, she averaged 9,671kgs at 4.31%BF and 3.72%P in three lactations. This one sold with contract interest, and was snapped up by Wesley Gordon from Brooksie Farm, Annalong, County Down.

Her December 2009 born Huddlestone Spooky daughter sold to Eyrl Done for 3,400gns; while a November 2010 born daughter by Autumn Ridge Matson attracted the eye of William Hill, Tandragee, County Armagh, at 3,100gns.

Laurelhill Shottle C Fay VG89 (PLI £108) came under the hammer at 4,600gns. This Picston Shottle daughter is backed by five generations of VG and EX dams. Fresh into her third lactation, she joins Mervyn McGimpsey’s Towerview Herd, based at Newtownards, County Down.

Her September 2011 born Gillette Jerrick daughter attracted a bid of 3,200gns from George Bingham, Tailormaid Herd, Nutt’s Corner, County Antrim. She is in-calf to Pirolo Goldwyn Wyman.

The Netherside Dynamo daughter, Laurelhill Dynamo Fay VG88 (PLI £143), sold to Norman McNaugher, Aghadowey, County Londonderry, for 4,500gns. Now in her third lactation, she is projected to do over 13,800kgs, and is in-calf to De Su Freddie Galaxy.

Her November born Morningview Levi daughter sold at 3,400gns to David McAfee, Aghadowey; while her January 2011 born Golden Oaks ST Alexander daughter attracted a bid of 3,100gns from Ashley Fleming, Seaforde, County Down.

Jason Booth, Stewartstown, County Tyrone, paid out 4,000gns to secure Laurelhill Dictator F Fay, a potential sixth generation VG/EX second calver. She is in-calf to Bertalio Mincio.

The father and son team of Cyril and Martin Millar, Coleraine, County Londonderry, paid out 3,400gns to secure Laurelhill Laudan Fay EX92 2E (PLI £138) – dam of Laurelhill Classic the top proven bull at Genus ABS. Now in her fourth lactation, she produced 48kgs at 5.33%BF and 3.40%P in her last recording, and is projected to do over 12,079kgs.  She is in-calf to Co-op Bosside Massey.

Her November born Morningview Levi daughter, Laurelhill Levi E Fay (PLI £191), sold with contract interest, and commanded a price tag of 3,600gns paid by Conor McAufield from the Lissue Herd based at Lisburn, County Antrim.

A total of 31 lots were sold for export to England, Scotland, Wales and southern Ireland.

Eyrl Done received 10 free straws of Laurelhill Regent, presented by Cogent to the buyer of the highest priced lot; while highest spending purchaser William Hill from Tandragee also received 10 straws of Laurelhill Regent .

Averages: 8 heifer calves £2,408; 2 bull calves £1,207; 47 in-milk heifers £2,241; 46 in-milk cows £2,743; and 22 in-calf heifers £2,743.