BUYERS were selective while keen to purchase fresh, young cows and heifers at the dispersal of Mrs Liz Wolfendon’s Longfordhall Holstein herd, which was held at Longford Hall Farm, near Derby, and conducted by Norton and Brooksbank. 

Founded in 1971, the herd was improved with some elite Canadian imports, principally from the Stanhope and Wedgwood herds, and included the legendary Excalibar Skychief Saucy Ex95-4 which won the supreme title at the National Holstein Show in 2000 having been reserve the previous year. Daughters of the Saucy female have hit the five-figure bracket at sales. 

With four animals selling for 2000gns or above, the top price of 2100gns was paid by DR and A Higgins and Son Ltd for Longfordhall Razor Emil, a VG88-rated cow which calved her fourth at the start of the month and changed hands yielding 40kg per day. Coming from four successive generations of Ex or VG-classified cow, Razor Emily has twice passed the 10,000kg mark and her calved daughter by Altaavalon was knocked down for 17000gns. 

Messrs Hoggins also paid 2000gns to take Longfordhall Aval Teresa VG88 home to Shrewsbury to join their Bentleyford herd. The sixth generation of cow in the top two classifications, she recorded more than 11,000kg in her first and sold giving 39kg. 

Four of the top priced lots headed home with JE Seals and Son to Shirland Lodge, including a freshly calved heifer going back to the Saucy cow, Longfordhall Roboto Saucy, for 2050gns. The Seals paid 2000gns for another fresh heifer, Longfordhall Iota Teresa, as well as 1900gns for Longfordhall Book Teresa and 1820gns for Longfordhall Silver Le Saucy. 

Two served heifers sold for 1900gns including Longfordhall Avalon Purpose which headed home with R and J Hinds and Son to join the Excelsior herd, as well as Longfordhall Aval Emily which sold to Co Armagh’s P Lyness.

Averages: 112 cows and calved heifers (including 41 heifer calves at £366), £1530; 34 served heifers, £1098; 42 maiden heifers, £613. Overall, 188 lots, £913.