Monday, August 31, 2009

Causeway Classic Holstein heifer sale

AN elite heifer sale at last week's Causeway Classic show of Holsteins at Balmoral showground in Northern Ireland produced a top price of 20,000gns.

This was paid for a first choice heifer calf from Iain McLean, Bushmills, Co Antrim. This was a record price for an unborn animal sold in the UK and the buyer was David McAfee who owns Glamour Holsteins, Ballymoney, Co Antrim.

The calf, which is sired by Braedale Goldwyn, is bred from the world famous cow Oceania Ambrosia. Mr McAfee will be given the choice of three heifers, which will calve down in about three weeks' time.

The overall sale average was 4,500 guineas for 24 lots sold.

Causeway Classic Holstein show results

THE biggest pedigree dairy event ever to be held in Northern Ireland saw Glaslough Charles Fancy, a fourth calver, take the overall championship.

The Causeway Classic, held last Thursday at the Balmoral Showground, Belfast, to celebrate 100 years of black and white breeding in the UK and Ireland, attracted a record number of entries.
The winner was shown by Ivan and Louise Robinson of Ballygowan, County Down, who bought her from breeders David and Kenny Boyd of County Monaghan at Rory McCullough's dispersal sale in 2006 for a top price of £17,000.

Sired by Boulet Charles, the Glaslough Charles Fancy won this year's Irish Holstein Friesian Association Spring Fair and the 2007 Royal Ulster Winter Fair.

Reserve champion and best exhibitor-bred animal was Clandeboye Champion Willow from Clandeboye Estates, Bangor, shown by herd manager Mark Logan.

Classified EX93, Willow's career includes winning the 2007 and 2008 Irish National Holstein Show and inter-breed championship at the 2008 Balmoral Show.

Sam McCormick and son John, also from Bangor, had a tremendous show, taking honourable mention in the championship with Hilltara Jordan Maude and also reserve and honourable mention awards in the junior championship and the intermediate championship award, all with home-bred animals.

Junior champion was Hallow Lheros Indianink from M. and P. Jones, who journeyed from south of the border to exhibit.

RESULTS
Championship Supreme, I. and L. Robinson, Glaslough Charles Fancy; reserve, Clandeboye Estates, Clandeboye Champion Willow; honourable mention, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Jordan Maude.

Junior champion Sup., M. and P. Jones, Hallow Lheros Indianink; res., S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Shottle Maude 2; hon. men., S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Roy Tippy.

Intermediate champion Sup., S. and J., McCormick, Hilltara Zenith Echo; res., P. and S., Haffey, Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2; hon. men., T. Keatley, Aghyaran September Rae Red.

Over 50,000kg cow 1, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Mtoto Dawn; 2, Clandeboye Estates, Clandeboye SG Amanda; 3, S. Gunn, Ernevale MJ Rosina.

Senior cow 1, I. and L. Robinson, Glaslough Charles Fancy; 2, Clandeboye Estates, Clandeboye Champion Willow; 3, Messrs Boyd, OÕNeill and Montgomery, Ternbridge Ruth 38.

Intermediate cow 1, I. and L. Robinson, Aldingham Stormatic Ghost; 2, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Jordan Tury; 3, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Champion Maude.

Junior cow 1, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Jordan Maude; 2, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Allen Edwina; 3, M. and P. Jones and R. Cromie, Hilltara eSeptember R Maude.

Senior heifer in milk 1, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Zenith Echo; 2, T. Keatley, September Rae Red; 3, Messrs Patton, Dunn and Truesdale, Ridgefield Sara Rampage Red.

Junior heifer in milk 1, P. and S. Haffey, Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2; 2, G. and J. Wallace, Printshop Champion Kassie 21; 3, H. Patton and Sons, Ards Toystory Ruth.

Dry cow, three lactations or more 1, I. and K. Watson, Majestic Igniter Tonya; 2, Clandeboye Estates, Clandeboye Kendal Rosina; 3, I. and L. Robinson, Primo Jed Jenny.

Dry cow, no more than two lactations 1, R. Whelan, Lumville Danoise 2; 2, D. Boyd, Glaslough Gibson Fran; 3, G. and J. Wallace, Printshop BT Dissi 8.

Senior heifer 1, M. and P. Jones, Hallow Lheros Indianink; 2, N. Willis, Conncorr Advent Rae Red; 3, J. Patterson and Sons, Ballyginniff Dundee Spotty.

Intermediate heifer 1, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Shottle Maude 2; 2, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Roy Tippy by Roylane Jordan; 3, Paul Dunn, Dunbanard Dundee Wila.

Junior heifer 1, L. and R. Graham, Moyrah Damion Elsie; 2, S. and J. McCormick, Hilltara Atlas Betsy; 3, T. Haffey, Kilvergan Dundee Merry 2.

Heifer born this year 1, N. Willis, Conncorr Shottle Roxy; 2, P. and S. Haffey, Glasson Gold Ghost; 3, L. and R. Graham, Moyrah Empire Gondula.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Genomics Testing available

One of the hottest and most innovative instruments in today’s Holstein Breeding industry is undoubtedly Genomic Testing.

On the basis of the DNA analysis, the genomic breeding value can be found from an animal at an early age, proving invaluable in successfully marketing key animals and their progeny.

North America is leading the way in this field, the AI stations which funded the research and financially supported the scientific development possess a 5 year long exclusivity right to the full genomic testing of male animals. However the Holstein Association of the USA - whom are an independent breeding federation for the USA are allowed to carry out Genomic testing on females.

In co-operation with Holstein Association USA, Eurogenes offers European Holstein Breeders the opportunity to have females genomically tested, by hair sample.

Costs-
The following should be used as a guide for calculating costs:
-DNA analysis US$250
-Administration/testing handling US$100

-Holstein Association USA registration charges
Calf under 3 months US$24
Calf 3-6 months US$30
Heifer 6-12 months US$40
Heifer 12-24 months US$60
Older than 24 months US$100

Please note all prices are quoted in US dollars, based on today’s exchange rates (21/08/09) the price would vary between £225- £271 (depending on the age at registration)

The American TPI index is calculated by doing a Genomic Marker test which is performed on the hair sample you provide, we also need a copy of the Holstein UK pedigree to be sent with the sample.

Please if you want to have animals included in the next run, send we must receive the details and hair samples by 30th August at the latest.

For further details please contact Claire Swale

Tel +44 (0)1995 679340
Cell +44 (0) 7769 686638
claireswale@btinternet.com

Kerry has Baileys cream

Kerry showed it had prowess in dairy cattle breeding and not just on the football field when it scooped first prize in the 26th Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition.
The country's most coveted prize went to Kerry breeder John Kirby, from Listowel, for his cow Smearlaview Forbidden Vixan which was first placed in the competition at Virginia Show on Wednesday.
John took home the Virginia Milk Products trophy today as well as the €2,000 cash prize and the Best Exhibitor Bred title, beating off competition from Ireland's finest.
A total of 27 dairy cows from all over Ireland qualified for this year's competition, proving their credentials by having produced 1,500 gallons of milk.
Kilwarden Gibson Vixan, owned by Brochan Cocoman from Kill, Co Kildare, was declared Reserve Champion. R Whelan and E Kelly from Clonard in Co Meath took the Best Dry Cow title with Lumville Danoise 2, who also won the Highest Protein Content award.
Monomore Durham Raven, owned by Thomas Kelly from Drogheda, Co Louth, was declared Best EBI and Jerome Smith from Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, took the Best Heifer in Milk prize for Dalevalley OTI Ebony.
The €8,000 prize contest which is sponsored by Baileys and its cream supplier Glanbia Ingredients was as ever a tough one. This year's judge, John Gribbon of Holstein UK, said: "It is an honour to judge the best cow in Ireland and these winners could successfully compete anywhere in the world."