A new centre record for a British Friesian bull was achieved at the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club’s spring sale at Carlisle, when Ian and Tom Blamire, Mid Whinnow, Thursby, Carlisle, Cumbria, sold Whinnow Gateway for 10,000gns.
The previous Borderway record for a Friesian bull was 8500gns for an entry from the Armour family of the Annandale herd several years ago.
Gateway, an October 2022-born bull is a son of Carrickshock GTW, while the dam, Rodbrook Milkmaid 8 is sired by Rodbrook Barney and is one of the breed's highest production cows having produced more than 14,000kgs as a six-year-old. The record breaker sold to the Tincknell family, Wedmore, Somerset.
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The Blamires also produced the highest average, selling three bulls at £7875. Next best at 7000gns was Whinnow Journey, purchased by Messrs Adams, Kirkcolm, Stranraer. This November 2022-born entry is sired by Lakemead Jingle and is bred from a line of Ex cows with big lifetime production yields. The dam is Whinnow Topman Wendy.
Another by the same sire, Whinnow Gumanji, made 5500gns when selling to Messrs Drummond, Craigie, Kilmarnock. This 18-month-old is bred from Gemini Garve Sky Pauline 2.
Kevin and Christine Wilson, Wood Farm, Thursby, Carlisle, Cumbria, produced both the champion and reserve winners at the pre-sale show, judged by Jimmy Baillie of the Dalserf herd, Lanarkshire.
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Top spot went to the yearling, Warnelview Karma, which later realised 5000gns selling to Messrs Tiffin, Hutton Roof, Penrith. A Kings-Ransom Dropbox son, he is bred from the Ex94 classified dam, Warnelview Mincio Kimo.
The similarly aged bull, Warnelview Navigate, took the runner up spot and went one better in the sale ring when selling for 6200gns to the Allen family, Hanmer, Whitchurch, Shropshire. Sired by Davinci he is a direct son of Warnelview Final Cut Nita, which has classified Ex97 on seven occasions and to date has produced more than 170t of milk.
The same home sold the 17-month-old, Warnelview Nigeria for 5500gns to Messrs Dixon, Hayton, Wigton. He is the result of a mating between the sire, Willsbro Abbott and the dam, Warnelview Seaver Nita 2.
Messrs Telfer, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, went to 5500gns for the January 2023-born bull, Warnelview Rish. Out of the VG88 classified dam, Willsbro Abbott Roxy he is a son of AOT Hampshire.
Another by the same sire, Warnelview Guy, made 5200gns when the hammer fell to Messrs Gornall, Chaigley, Clitheroe. This February 2022-born bull is out of Warnelview Iota Glenys 2 Ex90.
The Warnelview herd sold another 10 bulls to average £5176. Helping to achieve that average was Warnelview Zebo which made 5500gns. The 14-month-old is sired by S-S-I PR Renegade and out of the Ex92 dam, Woodmarsh Unix Zandra. Final bidders were GW and J Mercer, Turton, Bolton.
Warnelview Instant, again by the same sire but bred from Warnelview Darlingo Irene Ex92, realised 5000gns. This November 2022-born bull headed home with Messrs Nixon, Camerton, Workington.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Averages: 28 bulls, £4155.00; 21 Holstein bulls, £3865.00; seven British Friesian bulls, £5025.00
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