The Woodmarsh Holstein dispersal – which could be considered one of the UK’s “largest and most successful” Holstein sales of recent years – grossed over £1.3 million.
The Gould family sold their entire Woodmarsh herd virtually, in conjunction with MartEye, from their farm in Bomere Heath, near Shrewsbury.
According to Norton & Brooksbank Auctioneers, over 500 cattle went under the hammer at the rate of one a minute.
Entries levelled at £2,600 per head, which they consider a “remarkable” average considering 160 animals were under a year old.
Buyers ranged throughout the UK from Scotland to Norfolk, West Wales, Cornwall, Northern Ireland, and “all points in between”. Furthermore, Republic of Ireland buyers snapped up over 40 animals.
In a “frenetic” day’s trading, five animals broke the five-figure barrier and 165 changed hands for 3,000 guineas or more.
Woodmarsh dispersal
The Woodmarsh herd has a history of over 50 years and moved from its original home in Lancashire to Shropshire 26 years ago.
Since then, it established a reputation as “one of the country’s leading” herds, breeding several bulls to become successful proven sires in the Cogent and Genus studs.
The herd has attained the highest standards in conformation (over 160 Ex & VG cows went through the ring), depth of pedigree, and production, with the current herd average being over 13,000kg at 4.5% fat and 3.24% protein.
More than 40 animals were giving over 50kg on sale day. Its success has been based on three cow families, in particular, the Lymes, Melodys and Zandras.
“There was no shortage of breeders wanting to secure one or more of these for their own herds,” the spokesperson added.
Rising to the top of the leaderboard at 19,000gs, was an “outstanding” milking heifer, Woodmarsh Sidekick Zandra 6 (VG-87 2yr), bred from 6 generations of Excellent cows and giving 46kg in her first lactation.
The winning bid was made by Michael George, buying for the family’s noted Brynhyfryd herd in Pembrokeshire.
The underbidder was John O’Connor, who had earlier purchased another star lots, Woodmarsh Impression Melody 17 (VG-88), a potential 6th generation Excellent second-calver giving over 64kg, for his and his brother Brian’s Bawnmore herd in Kanturk, Co Cork at 12,500gs.
James McNeil from the Cairnpat herd near Stranraer, forked out 16,000gs to secure the 88 pointed heifer, Woodmarsh Unix Ola 5 ET. She delivered over 11,000kg at 4.9% in her first lactation and is due again in January to Woodcrest King Doc.
The first animal to break the five-figure barrier was another 88 pointed Zandra, in-calf for her third in the spring to Wilder Dalliance. Henry Sanderson of the Sandley herd, paid 10,000gs, and Messrs Rees of the Anvil herd, near Aberystwyth, gave the same sum for another 46 kg heifer from the Melody family.
In-calf heifers
In-calf heifers sold for up to 5,200gns, with the price recorded for a Delaberge Pepper, daughter from the Barbie family. Alan Porter, Lisburn, Co Antrim was the successful purchaser here. Meanwhile, Khalfan Agri purchased 27 served and maiden heifers for export to the Middle East, including two at 5,000gs.
According to the auctioneers, heifer calves at foot were a “tremendous” trade, with most making four figures.
Entries sold for up to 7,000gs in this category, and hitting that mark was the daughter of the top-priced animal by King Doc, bought by Hannah Edwards, Ford Heath, Shrewsbury.
Averages at Woodmarsh dispersal:
- 229 cows: £ 3,347-16;
- 46 served heifers: £ 3,633.91;
- 113 maiden heifers: £ 2,106.97;
- 125 calves: £ 1,496.04;
- 2 bulls: £ 2,625.00;
- 515 head: £ 2,648.54.
Prices: Woodmarsh dispersal
| 235 | W.Sidekick Zandra 6 (VG-87 2yr) | J.W.C.George & Sons (Brynhyfryd) | 19,000 |
| 169 | W.Unix Ola 5 ET (VG-88 2yr) | R.McNeil Ltd (Cairnpat) | 16,000 |
| 123 | W.Impression Melody 17 (VG-88) | B & J.O’Connor (Bawnmore) | 12,500 |
| 66 | W.Impression Zandra (VG-88) | G.H.Sanderson & Family (Sandley) | 10,000 |
| 227 | W.MVP Melody 5 (VG-86 2yr) | L.E & P.M.Rees & Son (Anvil) | 10,000 |
| 165 | W.Elayo Melody Red 2 ET (VG-85 2yr) | R.McNeil Ltd (Cairnpat) | 8,000 |
| 212 | W.MVP Lyme 4 (VG-86 2yr) | L.E & P.M.Rees & Son (Anvil) | 7,500 |
| 326 | W.Rubicon Zandra 3 | R.McNeil Ltd (Cairnpat) | 7,500 |
| 201 | W.1stClass Melody 7 (VG-87 2yr) | L.E & P.M.Rees & Son (Anvil) | 7,000 |
| 235 | W.King Doc Zandra 7 | Hannah Edwards | 7,000 |
| 31 | W.Abro Lyme (Ex-92) | S.McCrystal (Gulladuff) | 6,200 |
| 45 | Cramar Swallow A Cutes ET (VG-88) | B & J.O’Connor (Bawnmore) | 6,000 |
| 45A | W.Cyprus Cutes | R.McNeil Ltd (Cairnpat) | 6,000 |
| 145 | W.Dorcy Melody 12 (VG-87) | Martin Evans Farming Ltd (Priddbwll) | 6,000 |
| 170 | W.Unix Ola 4 ET (VG-87 2yr) | J.Lomax & Son (Chorlton) | 6,000 |
| 19 | W.Silver Neoma (Ex-92) | K.J & C.S.Wilson Ltd (Warnelview) | 5,500 |
| 61 | Sterndale Sender Zip (VG-88) | W.W.Neilson (Overside) | 5,400 |
| 173 | W.MVP Prudence (VG-86 2yr) | P & M.Timmis (Westvalley) | 5,400 |
| 281 | W.Pepper Barbie | A.P.Porter (Drumport) | 5,200 |
| 244 | W.Spring Barbie 2 ET | A.H.Wilson (Tregibby) | 5,000 |
| 283 | W.Silver Melody 12 | Khalfan Agri- export to Middle East | 5,000 |
| 284 | W.Spring Barbie ET | Khalfan Agri- export to Middle East | 5,000 |
| 358 | W.Pepper Zandra 7 | A.Black (Keely) | 5,000 |
| 399 | W.King Doc Zandra 2 | D.R & B.M.Thomas (Churchvale) | 5,000 |
| 161 | W.MVP Zandra 3 (VG-87 2yr) | N.W.Roberts (Dulais) | 4,800 |
| 174 | W.MVP Shower (VG-86 2yr) | Martin Evans Farming Ltd (Priddbwll) | 4,800 |
| 245 | W.MVP Barbie 3 ET | F.G.Windsor & Son (Hendomen) | 4,800 |
| 280 | W.Unix Zandra 8 ET | Khalfan Agri- export to Middle East | 4,800 |
| 290 | W.Sidekick Melody 4 | Khalfan Agri- export to Middle East | 4,800 |
| 273 | W.Evolution Melody 2 | A.L.Moore & Partners (Danevalley) | 4,700 |
| 74 | W.Control Melody 2 (VG-85) | Martin Evans Farming Ltd (Priddbwll) | 4,600 |
| 137 | W.Seaver Lyme 2 (VG-85 2yr) | Pinniger & Sons (Pinnupp) | 4,600 |
| 156 | W. Unix Melody 3 (VG-85) | J.S.Bird (Bartonwood) | 4,600 |
| 167 | W.Secretariat Neoma (VG-86 2yr) | J.M & S.C.Wadsworth (Mourneview) | 4,600 |
| 171 | W.Unix Ola 3 ET (VG-86 2yr) | N & S.McCann (Simlahill) | 4,600 |
| 277 | W.Rubicon Ghost ET | A.L.Moore & Partners (Danevalley) | 4,600 |
| 70 | W.Doorman Zandra 8 ET (Ex-92) | ML Farming (Crystalclear) | 4,500 |
| 77 | W.Impression Edda 3 (Ex-91) | P.J.Waring & Son (Winton) | 4,500 |
| 131 | W.Seaver Melody 5 (VG-87) | R.L.Edwards (Delacre) | 4,500 |
| 204 | W.Sidekick Zandra (VG-87 2yr) | B & I.Carr (Iford) | 4,500 |
| 246 | W.Rubicon Ghost 2 ET | C.Thomasson & Son (Norville) | 4,500 |
| 54 | W.Dorcy Melody 7 (Ex-91) | R.McNeil Ltd (Cairnpat) | 4,400 |
| 55 | W.Cayle Melody 2 (Ex-92) | Pinniger & Sons (Pinnupp) | 4,400 |
| 143 | W.Unix Zandra ET (VG-87 2yr) | K.J & C.S.Wilson Ltd (Warnelview) | 4,400 |
| 108 | W.Shottle Lyme 2 ET (VG-87) | J.O.Williams Farming (Rosehip) | 4,300 |
| 194A | Lynholme Doorman Elegance | R.Stewart | 4,300 |
| 278 | W.Pepper Zandra | Khalfan Agri- export to Middle East | 4,200 |
| 402 | W.Orbit Zandra | B B Farms (BB) | 4,200 |
| 370 | W.Rubicon Neoma 2 | A & C.McAufield (Lissue) | 4,200 |
| 38 | W.Guarini Ghost (Ex-90) | R & M.Scott (Nethervalley) | 4,100 |
| 65 | W.Impression Melody 6 (VG-89) | N.W.Roberts (Dulais) | 4,000 |
| 104 | W.Mincio Countess (VG-88) | R.McNeil Ltd (Cairnpat) | 4,000 |
| 118 | W.Impression Melody 12 ET (VG-88) | Winsbury Livestock Ltd (Chirbury) | 4,000 |
| 189 | W.MVP Melody 2 (VG-86 2yr) | Pinniger & Sons (Pinnupp) | 4,000 |
| 192 | W.Secretariat Zandra 4 (VG-87 2yr) | N.W.Roberts (Dulais) | 4,000 |
| 216 | W.Sidekick Lyme (VG-86 2yr) | Pinniger & Sons (Pinnupp) | 4,000 |
| 250 | W.Spring Zandra 4 | W.P & E.G.Williams (Waliswood) | 4,000 |
| 255 | W.Spring Zandra | D.J.B.Thomas & Son (Gelliddu) | 4,000 |
| 257 | W.Spring Zandra 8 | Rowlands & Lewis (Llancourt) | 4,000 |
| 287 | W.Pepper Melody 2 | Khalfan Agri- export to Middle East | 4,000 |
| 288 | W.Sidekick Apple | Khalfan Agri- export to Middle East | 4,000 |
| 329 | W.Swingman Melody Red | S.McCrystal (Gulladuff) | 4,000 |
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