A quality entry forward for the July Border and Lakeland Club dairy sale at Carlisle, saw Warnelview Chief Bunty, prove the star attraction selling for the top price of 3800gns.

With several lots boasting prolific pedigrees backed up by generations of Excellent-classified dams, no fewer than 42 animals sold at or above the £2000 bracket with the overall average for milking heifers settling at £2118.

The sale leader at 3800gns came from Kevin and Christine Wilson from Wood Farm, Thursby, Carlisle, which sold across the Irish sea to Jason Booth, Dungannon, County Tyrone. This fresh Holstein heifer is a daughter of Stantons Chief and out of Warnelview Estate Bunty which is by Edg Esther Estate.

Another fresh heifer from the same home, Warnelview Bankroll Maude, made 2600gns selling to Messrs Brewster, Stirling. She is by Crasdale Bankroll and her dam, Warnelview Iota Maude is by Regancrest Altaiota. Warnelview sold eight heifers to average £2200.

Second top price was 2750gns paid by S Forshaw and Sons, Alston, Longridge, for Evening Hill Farms’ Evening Diamondback Kitty, from Thursby, Carlisle. This black heifer is by Diamondback and was bred from the Ex92 dam, Evening Steady Kitty, which goes back to the show winning Ex95 CRF Birch Kitty.

In-calf Holstein and Brown Swiss heifers from Matthew and Ruth Harper’s Lillyhall herd from Dearham, Maryport, also sold well. They topped the black and white section at 2700gns with Lillyhall Blooming Evita, purchased by Messrs Sherratt, Matley, Stalybridge. She is a daughter of Scherma Glenn Blooming and out of Lillyhall Bosephus Echo.

The same buyers also went to 2600gns for another from Lillyhall. Lot No 1, Lillyhall Biver Sangria is by Scherma Blooming Biver and out of Inspired Jongleur Schnappy.

Tops for the couple’s Brown Swiss herd at 2700gns was the in-calf heifer, Lillyhall Blooming Evita bought by Stephen Sherratt in Cheshire who also purchased their milking heifer from the Snickerdoodle family at 2600gns.

Balmangan Farms from Kirkudbright sold 10 Holstein heifers to average £2226 from a top price of 2450gns paid for Balmangan Helicon Wonder, purchased by the Sommervilles from Dumfries.

The Stardale herd of J Burrow and Son, Turnsteads, Broughton, Preston, also had a good day, selling six heifers with deep pedigrees to average £2243. Top price here was 2400gns paid for Stardale Unicorn Dellia, by Progenesis Unicorn. An eighth generation Excellent or Very Good, heifer, she was purchased by A and B Bargh, Wood Close, Skelton.

The Inmans from Strickland Hill Farm, Grange over Sands, topped the cow trade at 2300gns with Witherslack Cayle Ivory, a Larcrest Cayle daughter bred from an Ex91 dam. The Metcalfe family from Preston were the final bidders.

Ayrshire heifers from Lanarkshire breeders, J Adamson and Son, Swaites herd from Pettinain sold to 2100gns for Swaites Fleicity sired by Rager Red. This group averaged in excess of £2000.

averages:

Eight Holstein cows in milk, £2068.50; nine Holstein heifers in milk, £2118.19; three Brown Swiss heifers, £2380.00; 29 in-calf and recently served heifers, £1442.92; eight Holstein bulling heifers, £ 971.25; 10 Jersey bulling heifers £549.75; 34 non-pedigree cows in milk, £1320.83; 56 dry cows, £1406.97.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.