Strong sale results for Best of the West and Vala Holsteins

Two sales over the last week have underlined strength and value of Holstein genetics and registered animals as well as the way the industry is adapting to a COVID-19 world.

Declan Patten and Brad Salmon’s Best of the West sale, conducted from the Dairy Livestock Services office as a live open cry auction utilising the Elite Livestock livestreaming platform while all lots remained on farm, saw Westmuir Awesome Karly VG achieve a sale top of $17,000.

Described by auctioneer, Brian Leslie as “an incredible uddered freshly calved 3 year old,” Westmuir Awesome Karly is bred down from the All World winner Decrausaz Iron O’Kalibra EX 97 and was purchased by Calderlea Holsteins of Meeniyan.

Next top of $11,000 was paid for the 7-month old heifer Lightning Ridge WSMR Tatoo Dandy Imp-ET, this grand-daughter of the Royal Winter Fair Grand Champion Co-Vale Dempsey Dina EX 96 was purchased by H King and M Thompson of Tongala. The Red cow Lightning Ridge Absolute Beauty who had recently classified VG 87 with an EX mammary is a grand-daughter of the World famous Rainyridge Talent Barbara EX 95 and sold at $7,700 to A Courtney of Camperdown.

The unjoined heifer Westmuir LR Crisp Rainy, bred down from the EX 97 James Rose cow, sold at $7,000 to T & D Cattle Co of Simpson. The same buyer also selected Westmuir Crushabull Whynot, a daughter of an IDW Reserve Champion from the famous Whynot family at $6,000.

The last lot in the sale was the red heifer Westmuir LR Jordy Bambi, a daughter of the winning South Australian Semex-Holstein Australia On-farm Competition 2 year old of 2019 and sold at $6,500 to Kintara Genetics of Athlone. Progressive Northern Victorian breeders B & K Mitchell selected the stylish Lightning Ridge WSMR Doc Princess at $5,700 while Westmuir PGRS Kingdoc Asset, due in the Spring to Admiral, sold at $5,600.

The 23 lots averaged $5,625 with buyers from throughout Victoria and Tasmania.

Held on-farm with social distancing restrictions in place and with many joining online via the Auctions Plus platform the Vala Autumn Feature Sale saw a top price of $8,000 achieved twice.

Vala Bandares Sheena, BPI of +300 and tested A2A2, sold to Emu Banks Holsteins of Terang. This heifer is a full sister to Shaydon at ST genetics who boasts a BPI +420. Also at $8,000 was Vala Polar Ladyluck, BPI + 313. Her 11,800 litre dam is from O’Connors Event Lady Luck, VG 88 bred down from the famed Comestar ‘L’ family, also sold to Emu Banks.

Also purchased by Emu Banks were Vala Buoyancy Luanna, BPI + 314 from a Powerball dam from the Lila Z family at $5,500 and her full sister Vala Buoyancy Luana, BPI +314 at $5,250. Vala Bandares Jedi, a close to calving heifer from a 16,119 litre dam at $4,750, Vala Reason Ladyluv and Vala Bandares Ladyluv both bred from the Comestar L family at $4,500 each.

Vala Lucky Sheen bred down from Pine Tree Martha Sheen sold at $5,000 to McKenna and Taylor P/Ship. Vala Polar Missy 231 bred from a Doorman daughter of Eastside Lewisdale Gold Missy, EX 95 sold at $5,000 to K Cash of Tongala.

Other noted sales included Vala Imax Something from a 724 kg fat dam at $4,000 to J & J Pedretti of Tallygaroopna. Vala Polar Satin from the famed Glen Drummond Splendor family at $4,000 to R & J Suares of Larpent and Vala Yoda Lutanna-Red, a very correct red heifer bred back to Lila Z also at $4,000 to D Custance of Nyora.

Sixty heifers averaged $3,082 and four males $2,875 for a sale average of $3,070.