Hares family lift the cup at cracking Christmas dairy show and sale in Shrewsbury
Halls auctioneers’ prediction of a Christmas Cracker Dairy Show and Sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre proved to be right on the money as 66 quality cattle went under the hammer to a rip-roaring trade.
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“The quality was exceptional and the demand at ringside resulted in a record £2,557 average for the milking cattle and a top price of £3,280, with seven over £3,000,” said delighted auctioneer and auction centre manager Jonny Dymond.
The dairy show champion, top cow and Bryan Challenor Cup winner was Millenheath Topshot Avery GP84 from the Hares family from Millenheath Farms, Whitchurch which sold for £3,200.
The family also had the second placed cow, Millenheath Topshot Lexine VG86, which made £3,280.
“The two cows were producing 110 litres of milk a day and a picture of quality,” added Mr Dymond.
“Congratulations to Rob, Jeanette, David and Sarah on breeding and turning out these exceptional animals on the day.”
Mr Hares said: “It’s fantastic to win this cup for the first time. I thought we would be there or thereabouts this year. It’s great to get some recognition for the herd and thanks to the sponsors and Halls for their support.”
Third placed cow was Meldamar Kimball Lady 86 from J. M. & D. Shepherd & Son, Hassop, Bakewell, which sold for £2,750.
Top heifer and overall reserve champion was Penwell Twinkle 287 from E. E. & M. Williams & Son, Mold which sold for £3,200. Second was Overton Alcove Cheri from M. J. E. Hughes, Criggion which made £3,120 and third was Dilandy Luster Marie from D. & A. C. Shakeshaft, Ellesmere, which found a new home for £3,080.
Show judge was James Meddins from Churchstoke and the dairy show sponsors were World Wide Sires, H. J. Lea Oakes, Livestock Supplies, NWF Agriculture, Morris Corfield, Shropshire Holstein Club, Battlefield Machinery and Dinky’s Dinahs.
The trade was set from the moment the first cow stepped into the ring, a third lactation commercial cow at £2,000 from H. Davies & Partners, Puddington.
Strong demand for heifers throughout was led at £3,200 by the much admired top heifer, sired by Seagull Bay Applejax, from Erol Williams. A total of 25 heifers sold for £2,500 or more.
Fourteen fresh cows sold to £3,280 and averaged £2,546, while 44 heifers sold to £3,200 and averaged £2,561. Six heifer calves sold for £200 each for Messrs Cookson, Dyffryn Farm, Berriew and two in-calf heifers sold for £1,050.
Halls’ final dairy sale of 2024 takes place on Tuesday, December 17 with entries requested for cataloguing.
