Organic dairy herd in high demand at dispersal auction

Mervyn, Beryl and Sarah Edwards, of Tyn y Maes, Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant, sold their herd of Holstein, Brown Swiss and Montbeliarde cross cattle at the farm on Monday, December 4. The family has retired from milk production to focus on its flock of sheep.

The herd comprised 66 in-milk and dry cows, nine in-calf heifers due in January and two bulling heifers. The cows were all year-round calving and, 12 years ago, a three-way cross of Montbeliarde, Brown Swiss and Holstein was introduced, resulting in cows with great legs and feet, described by cattle auctioneer Jonny Dymond, from Halls in Shrewsbury, as “exceptional”.

Prices were strong all day with many senior cows, which had been calved a while, achieving more than £1,400. Top price was £2.120 for a Norwegian Red cross heifer, which calved in October and sold to Mr T Brook of Docklow.

A fourth calved Brown Swiss cross sold for £1,900 to Messrs P. Tolly of Somerset, who secured 16 cattle on the day, including another fourth calver for £1,800.

Dry cows sold in excess of £1,400 time after time, regardless of age. Top was £1,680 for cow expecting her fourth calf and a cow due with twins for her ninth calving sold for £1,000.

In-calf heifers met with a flying trade, selling for between £1,250 and £1,620 for January calvers. Yearling heifers topped at £700 for a Montbeliarde.

Averages: 66 in milk dry cows £1,255.39, nine in-calf heifers £1,348 and two bulling heifers £660.

“The sale offered a rare opportunity to purchase quality, organic dairy cattle, with the added benefit of the hybrid three way cross,” said Mr Dymond. “We held the sale on the farm to retain the cattle’s organic status and encourage more buyers, which seemed definitely paid dividends.

“The sale had two unique elements: an organic herd, which is rarely dispersed and a three-way cross bred herd, which dairy farmers like because of the hardiness that you get from that sort of breeding.”

Looking ahead to 2018, he advised other cattle farmers who are thinking of selling their herd to consider Halls as auctioneers. “Whether they want to sell their cattle on the farm or in Shrewsbury Livestock Centre, we have the experience to do the job to a high standard for them and access to buyers far and wide,” he said.