STRONG demand for freshly calved milking animals saw more than 50% of the 160 animals cashed at the June Border and Lakeland Holstein Club show and sale at Carlisle, selling at or above the £2000 mark.

The sale, which also included the dispersal of the Lonning pedigree herd on behalf of the Todhunter family, saw trade peak at 2700gns for the ET-bred Spotlight Rodanas Esmonique, from Shaun Rennie, Brocklehill, Ayr.

The No 3 gPLI cow in the UK with an index of almost gPLI +£600, Esmonique is from Lou Etta cow family being bred from the Ex91 show cow, Koepon Kru Esmonique and sired by Holbra Inseme Rodana. Calved mid May, she was knocked down to David Taylor, who owns the Thornby Holstein herd, Wigton.

Judge, Jim Barr who owns the Bucklyvie herd in Fife, bought his choice of champion at 2500gns. This was Stowbeck Masterful Nina, a similarly aged heifer consigned by Skirwith Hall Farms, Penrith, that also lifted the award for the best udder. She is by Masterful and out of the GP83 SP cow, Stowbeck Smurf Nina.

Following on behind, the reserve, Espland Wickham Betsy, another mid May calved heifer this time from Alan Cannon from Espland Hill Farm, Appleby, made 2450gns to Bradleys Farms, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancs. The breeding behind this transaction includes Silverridge V Wickham, onto a previous home-bred Betsy by Braedale Pagewire.

Catalogue No 13, proved anything but unlucky for Mr Cannon too, when Espland Impression Molly, by Monument Impression, made 2300gns to TH and J Robinson, Brampton. Espland had four heifers forward that were placed first, second, third and fourth in the senior milking heifer class and sold to average £2257.

Robert Steel's Kepuculloch herd from Balfron, was another in the money, selling the freshly calved heifer, Kepculloch Attic Summer for 2400gns. Bred from nine generations of Ex or VG dams, with the third dam being Altona Lea Rudolph Summer Ex95 that won the Highland Show for the family in 2005, she sold to Hamish Campbell, Auchalne, Castle Douglas.

At 2200gns, H and EM Hunter and Son, Penrith, bought M Fisher's Whispering Springs Seaver Bella, a November 2015-born fresh heifer by R-E-W Seaver, from Yanwath Woodhouse, Eamont Bridge, Penrith. She is bred from home-bred GP80 cow which in turn is bred from seven generations of VG or Ex dams going back to the Oak Ridges Belle.

The sale included two consignments of well-bred young-stock, to include heifers from the two time winner of the AgriScot dairy farm of the year, Gregor Colquhoun's Bervie herd from Montrose, Angus, whose heifers were all sired by top genomic young sires from the WWS mating programme. This group of recently bred heifers sold to 1250gns for a Simers Mogul Pety daughter bred from a Go-Farm Artes dam that gave more than 10,000kgs as a two-year-old, to average £1126.

The other consignment of young bulling heifers from JM and M Harris, Whitbarrow Farm, Penrith, was topped at 980gns on three occasions to average £912.

* The Lonning dispersal, staged following the club sale was topped at 2400gns on two occasions and saw 10 animals sell for £2000 or more.

First to hit 2400gns was Lonning Goldmine Daisy 3, a Hydaways Goldmine daughter that calved her second in November and has recently been bred to Peak AltaMarlon, in May. She changed hands giving 41kg to JJ Taylor, High Whinnow, Wigton.

Later, Lonning Goldmine Cyllene, by Hydaways Goldmine, made the same money selling to the Blamire family, Park House Farm, Wigton. This second calver freshened in March and was yielding more than 50kg per day.

Two lots came under the hammer for 2250gns including Lonning Admiral Agnes by Smithden Admiral. She calved her second in March, is producing more than 50kgs and headed home with JT and EM Marrs, Broomhills, Carlisle.

Matching that price tag, Lonning Doodad Vivacious, by Regan-ALH Doodad, was bought by RK and C Rudd and Sons, Grassings, Wigton. Calved in March, this heifer is giving 31kg and had recently been bred to Alta1stClass.

At 2200gns, TS Thomson, Fife, bought the January-calved heifer, Lonning Doodad Bride 2, also by Doodad. She was bred to Peak Altamarlon, last month.

Averages: 34 heifers in milk, £2024.16; 22 recently served heifers, £1126.36; 20 bulling heifers, £912.91; 16 commercial cows/heifers, £1493.61. Lonning dispersal – 67 head, £1480.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.