The Barledziew pedigree Holstein herd out of south-west Scotland saw a top price of 5,800gns in its dispersal sale.

The herd, ran by the Vance family, is known for its production.

It is currently averaging 12,265kg of milk per head at 4.31% fat and 3.41% protein through a robotic set-up.

The herd is calving all year round, so there was a selection of both freshly calved and in-calf heifers and cows for sale on the day.

Overall, the sale saw 37 heifers in milk, 60 second lactation cows in milk, 40 third lactation cows in milk, 15 fourth lactation cows in milk, and 21 cows on their fifth or higher lactation go up for grabs.

Alongside this, 51 in-calf heifers, 18 bulling and yearling heifers, and 42 heifer calves were up for sale at the Borderway Mart in Carlisle, England.

Many of the cows for sale are backed by genetics and strong lineage, which is evident as 16 animals are classed as EX, 64 as VG, and a further 67 GP.

The Vance family have been using sexed semen for quite some time, keeping production, longevity, fertility, and functionality at the heart of their breeding strategies.

Dispersal sale

Bidding was tough on the day, as buyers travelled from 22 counties across the UK to get their hands on some high production stock.

This saw an average of £3,000 being paid for the milking herd, with a high of 5,800gns being given.

Barledziew Fuel Amy VG88 was the heifer to go under the hammer for that top price.

She was sired by Melarry Fuel and came from Warnelview Crushabull Amy EX95-3E in December 2022.

The heifer produced 11,627kg of milk at 4.6% fat and 3.31% protein in her first lactation, and is expected to put out 15,917kg of milk this year.

This comes as no surprise, considering her dam peaked at 18,198kg of milk at 3.94% fat and 3.28% protein in her fourth lactation, before going on to sell for 3,900gns during the sale.

Barledziew Fuel Amy was last served in late August to sexed semen from MR Ernestanthony Havenofear.

The Amy line went on to dominate, with the latest calf from Warnelview Crushabull Amy EX95-3E, Barledziew Animation Amy topping the heifer calf trade.

The April-born calf went under the hammer for 3,600gns on the day.

The second best overall seller of the day was 2024-born Barledziew Rubicon Ash VG86.

The heifer made 4,500gns in the ring, selling to the same buyer of Barledziew Fuel Amy.

The heifer was sired by EDG Rubicon and comes from Barledziew Chief Ash VG85.

The heifer calved down in May, and is projected to produce 10,422kg of milk this year.

Her dam produced 12,297kg of milk at 4.34% fat and 3.2% protein in her second lactation, and went under the hammer at the sale for 4,050gns.

Some more top sellers from the day included;

4,300gns for Barledziew Pattern Candy 2 VG85, a 2024-born heifer projected to produce 9,514kg of milk this year;
4,100gns for Barledziew Rubicon Marion GP83, a 2024-born heifer projected to produce 11,930kg of milk this year;
4,050gns for Barledziew Chief Ash VG85, a 2022-born cow projected who produced 12,297kg of milk at 4.34% fat and 3.2% protein in her second lactation.

Overall, cows in milk averaged £2,730/head while heifers in milk averaged £3,261/head.

The sale saw in-calf heifers average £2,916/head, as bulling heifers averaged £1,799/head, and heifer calves averaged £1.945/head.