MORE than £720,000 changed hands at the two-day on-farm dispersal of the Dunston pedigree Holstein herd from Stafford, on behalf of Betholt Ltd who have decided to cease milking.

The sale numbered almost 630 head and was attended by buyers representing most regions of the country with the first day including the milking portion and all calves born since November 1. In just under 6.5hours more than 400 lots were put through the ring with the sale leader at 2600gns being the GP83-2yr classified cow, Dunston Amazing Snowball, a daughter of Mr Atlees Altaamazing which calved her second in December and was giving 42kg. The buyers were Messrs Shutt and Mansell of Newport who also purchased Dunston Seaver Marliene (G79-yr), another second calver at 2350gns.

Second top price was 2550gns paid for Dunston Twist Bo-Peep (VG87-3yr), another second calver by Cogent Twist that calved in December and was giving 53kg. She sold to local buyer R Turner, Bradley, Stafford.

Northern Ireland breeder, Beattie Lilburn, Co Down, bought a number of the lead priced lots including the top priced heifer at 2300gns. This was Dunston Iota Jean 3 GP82-2yr, a daughter of Regancrest Altaiota that calved at the end of December. Mr Lilburn also purchased four animals that realised 2300gns each to include Dunston Avalon Vaakje VG85-2yr, a fresh second calver giving 46kg, Dunston Glauco Pearl GP82-2yr

due with her second in August to Mogul, Dunston Goldmine Rose GP82-2yr due with her second in September to Honeybee and Dunston Twist Bo-Peep 3 also calving in September with her 2nd.

Also heading across the Irish Sea, Laurence Baillie, Co Down, went to 2300gns for Dunston Steady Ivory VG86-2yr. She is by Stantons Steady.

Heifer calves were keenly sought after and topped at 650gns for a daughter of Sandy-Valley Silver which crosses the water with Ian and Nigel Martin of Smithboro, Co Monaghan in Eire.

Top seller on the second day at 2300gns was Dunston Parocas Greenfly, a daughter of Sala Shottle Parocas due in July. She sold to Andrew Barnett of Stone.

Auctioneers: Wright Marshall