BUYERS paid a premium for animals with good locomotion at the spring show and sale of dairy bulls at Carlisle which incorporated the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club sale, where British Friesians attracted many of the lead prices. 

This included the sale leader at 5100gns, Winnow Primary, a Friesian bull from I and GM Blamire, Mid Whinnow, Thursby. He is bred out of the 3900gns Lismulligan Priscilla 48, which stood reserve heifer champion at the Dairy Event in 2014 and recently classified VG88 having given 7292kg in her first 305-day lactation. A son of Collycroft Solo which earned himself a profitable lifetime index (PLI) of £168, Primary sold to Scottish producers, A and M Kennedy, at Grougfoot, West Lothian. 

Next best at 4800gns was the first prize Friesian, Winnoch Hilton, from Ian Brocket, Park of Barnaigh, Kilbarchan, which sold to G and S Parker, Balgown, Kirkcolm. This two-year-old by Deangate Tarquin is out of the 8410kg Winnoch Penguin 252, that comes from a high production line, and sold with a PLI of £145. 

Three sold for 4000gns apiece with the first, Beaufort Kactus (PLI £270) from RS and Wa Howarth, The Hollies, Wilton, selling to RM Dale and Son, Lindsayston, Dalrymple, Ayr.

Matching that when sold to Messrs Mattocks, Aulby, Laithes, was Basil and Adam Lawson’s Lismulligan Escort, from the herd at North Cassingray, Largoward, Fife.

Also hitting 4000gns when knocked down to ME Weightman, Highwood Nook, Mealsgate, was RW and J Bell’s Nerewater Champion from Saltcoats, Kirkbride, Wigton.

Dearest of the Holstein bulls selling at 3800gns was Warnelview Rover from KJ and CS Wilson, Wood Farm, Thursby, Carlisle.  A second prize winner, he caught the eye of Messrs Lawrie, Grangehall, Pettinain.

See this week's issue of The Scottish Farmer, our April 22, for a full report, including averages and more photos.