Prehen leads Holstein bull entry at 3,550gns

There was a strong demand for pedigree bulls at Holstein NI’s 31st spring sale, hosted by Taaffe Auctions at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Mar 2021, 08:37 BST
Andrew McLean exhibited Relough Danisck PLI £552 sold for 3,000gns at Dungannon.Andrew McLean exhibited Relough Danisck PLI £552 sold for 3,000gns at Dungannon.
Andrew McLean exhibited Relough Danisck PLI £552 sold for 3,000gns at Dungannon.

Prices peaked at 3,550gns, and following a 100% clearance auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirmed that 10 bulls changed hands to average £2,782 per head – up £290 on last year’s sale.

Topping trade at 3,550gns was the November 2019 Prehen Fortnite GPLI £611 bred by Stuart Smith, Londonderry.

Sired by Denovo 7921 Atrium ET, he is bred from Prehen Altabarney Froukje EX 3* LP50. His dam was the 2017 GPLI cow in the UK, and averaged 11,299kgs at 4.34% butterfat and 3.47% protein at in four lactations.

Jordan McLean, Donaghmore, exhibited Relough Dantman PLI £559 sold for 3,400gns.Jordan McLean, Donaghmore, exhibited Relough Dantman PLI £559 sold for 3,400gns.
Jordan McLean, Donaghmore, exhibited Relough Dantman PLI £559 sold for 3,400gns.

Next best at 3,400gns was Relough Dantman PLI £559 consigned by the McLean family from Donaghmore, Dungannon.

Born in January 2020, he was sired by Sandyvalley Batman ET, and is out of Relough MVP Danna 3 ET VG88 who averaged 12,110kgs at 5.30% butterfat and 3.85% protein in three 305-day lactations.

Two lots came under the hammer at 3,000gns each. First to go was the Denovo 7921 Atrium son Prehen Atrium Fortitude GPLI £580 from Stuart Smith. This November 2019 bull is out of the home-bred Prehen Mascol Froukje ET EX93 2E LP80.

Three bulls from Stuart Smith’s Prehen Herd averaged £3,150 each.

Stuart Smith, Londonderry, sold Prehen Atrium Fortitude GPLI £580 for 3,000gns at Holstein NI’s 31st spring sale, held at Dungannon.Stuart Smith, Londonderry, sold Prehen Atrium Fortitude GPLI £580 for 3,000gns at Holstein NI’s 31st spring sale, held at Dungannon.
Stuart Smith, Londonderry, sold Prehen Atrium Fortitude GPLI £580 for 3,000gns at Holstein NI’s 31st spring sale, held at Dungannon.

Also selling at 3,000gns was the McLean family’s Relough Danisck PLI £552. This January 2020 born entry was sired by Claynook Discjockey ET, and is out of Relough Jedi Danna VG89-3yr who produced 17,850kgs at 3.60% butterfat and 3.36% protein in her second 305-day lactation.

Three bulls from the McLean family’s Relough Herd averaged £2,940 each.