Buoyant market for Registered Holsteins

The much anticipated dispersal sale of Peter and Wilma Mackay’s top production Master Breeder herd at Warragul Sale Yards earlier this month was the first of three major sales featuring a strong line up of Registered Holsteins to take place during May, with Best of the West 2020 and the Vala Holsteins Autumn Feature Sale up next.

With social distancing restrictions in place at the sale yard, agent Alex Scott and Staff utilised the Stock Live platform which saw 164 people watching online and many lots sold to online bidders, with a good crowd getting in on the action at Warragul.

The sale saw 100% clearance of 269 head, including 235 high production Registered Holsteins, a breeders selection of unjoined heifers and 30 entire 2020 drop bucket calves, with a lot of interest and bidding on the autumn calving cows.

Arnum Rusty VG87 (sire: Coomboona Atwood Elijah) topped the sale at $8,900 with her five week old heifer calf (sire: Society) making $1,675, whilst six other top quality cows made from $4,000 to $4,800. The sale average across all lots (excluding the 2020 drop bucket calves) was $2,173.

Holstein Australia CEO, Graeme Gillan, says: “The result from the Arnum Holsteins sale underlines the mark of quality associated with registered Holsteins. Peter and Wilma registered their first Holstein over 40 years ago I believe, building a high production, profitable herd over that time, recognised with being awarded Master Breeder status last year.”

Best of the West 2020

Wednesday 20 May sees Declan Patten’s ‘Best of the West 2020’ sale featuring 24 registered Holsteins backed by some of the world’s best cow families and genetics.

With COVID-19 restrictions in place agent Dairy Livestock Services has adopted a Tag-Auction format for Best of the West. All cattle will be offered with a minimum tag price with the sale being broadcast live on Elite Livestock Auctions from 10am with Brian Leslie auctioneering. Base prices can be viewed at Elite Livestock Auctions.

Two lots representative of the offering are Lightning Ridge Wsmr Doc Princess (Lot 15 – starting Tag price $3,750) and Westmuir LR Emilio Princess (Lot 16 – starting Tag price $3,000).

Auctioneer, Brian Leslie, says: “Both are daughters of Eclipse Jacoby Princess, an early Jacoby with huge potential, she is one of several tremendous daughters of Atwood Princess 7, VG 88, 2 SBC, including the winning Junior 2 at IDW in 2018, Octane Princess 5 at Avonlea.

“Lot 15 has ‘go to show’ written all over her. She is big, stylish and by the reliable King Doc. Lot 16 is younger, very square framed by Emilio,” says Brian.

Download the Best of the West 2020 catalogue

Vala Holsteins Autumn Feature Sale

Taking place on farm at Toolamba, Victoria, on Thursday 28^th May and online via AuctionsPlus, the Vala Holsteins Autumn Feature Sale features 73 Registered Holsteins, many A2A2 and several polled.

On offer will be 66 heifers and 7 bulls, with all lots genomically tested - BPI to +322, TPI to +2,614. Daughters of cows classified to EX, to 48 SBC feature with production to 18,453 litres, 645 kg protein and 913 kg fat.

The day before the sale on-farm inspection by appointment is available between 10am to 12pm or 1.30 to 3.30pm only to ensure that COVID-19 requirements can be safely and effectively managed. Contact Vala Holsteins or Dairy Livestock Services.

Videos and images of many of the lots on offer are also available on the Vala Holsteins and Dairy Livestock Services Facebook pages.

Download the Vala Holsteins Autumn Feature Sale catalogue