Despite 942 cases of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) confirmed in the UK during the 2026/2027 season so far, the dairy trade is still holding strong.

A number of impressive sales have taken place in the Borderway Mart in Carlisle recently.

Buyers have been travelling from all across the UK to get their hand on quality stock, creating a fierce bidding competition in the ring as prices climbed as far as 4,000gns.

Breachgorse dispersal sale

The Breachgorse dispersal sale attracted buyers from 18 different counties across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The Breachgorse herd, which is ran by Doug and Katherine Leadbetter, started out with just 10 cows 14 years ago.

Fast forward to 2026, the Leadbetters are selling more than 200 high-quality Pedigree Holsteins.

The herd is averaging 10,249kgs at 4.76% butterfat and 3.69% protein in its most recent milk recording.

The sale saw two Excellent classified cows, 27 Very Good classified cows; and 15 Good Plus classified cows all go up for grabs.

October-2023-born Breachgorse Robin Amy topped the sale at 4,000gns.

The July calver is currently producing 41kg of milk, a figure which is unsurpring when you look at her dam, Breachgorse Fidelity Amy Red, who produced 10,788kg of milk at 4.12% fat and 3.62% protein in her fourth lactation.

Breachgorse Fidelity Amy Red has produced more than 55t of milk over six lactations.

February-2024-born Breachgorse Costeau Sweetpea was the next best seller, going under the hammer for 3,800gns.

Her dam, Breachgorse Altacordial Sweetpea VG89 produced 12,160kg of milk at 4.90% fat and 3.52% protein in her third lactation.

The heifer's six-week-old heifer calf, described as "very classy", sold for 900gns.

A maternal sister of the heifer, Breachgorse Lambda Sweetpea, also made 3,600gns in the ring.

Two more heifers also went on to make 3,600gns each, Breachgorse Costeau Modesty and Breachgorse Pikachu Agnes.

September-2023-born Breachgorse Costeau Modesty had calved late June and was giving 41kgs, her dam produced 9,807kg at 4.59% fat and 3.37% protein in her fifth lactation.

Meanwhile, freshly calved June-2023-born Breachgorse Pikachu Agnes VG86 (2yr) produced 9,176kg of milk at 4.18% fat and 3.27% protein in her first lactation last year.

Overall, 72 cows in milk averaged £2,401/head while 31 heifers in milk averaged £2,932/head.

13 in-calf heifers averaged £2,278/head, while 22 bulling heifers averaged £1,682/head, and 48 heifer calves averaged £1,221/head.

Shenrick dispersal sale

Also featuring in Borderway was the the dispersal sale of the Shenrick herd.

Owned by Ian and Liz Burgoyne, the herd is a mix of British and Holstein Friesian genetics, as well as Montbeliarde and Norwegian Red genetics.

The herd is currently producing an average of 9,323kg of milk at 4.43% butterfat 3.46% protein.

The mix was clearly desirable, as prices reached 3,800gns on the day twice.

3,800gns was first given for a May-2021 -born cow who is currently giving close to 50kgs in her fourth lactation.

The cow, sired by the Swedish Red VR Vimo and out of a Montbeliarde named Maserati, produced 11,932kg of milk a 4.30% fat and 3.30% protein in her third lactation last year.

An April-2022-born Fleckvieh bred cow was next to go under the hammer for 3,800gns.

The third lactation cow is currently giving 42kg, and had produced 8,285kgs of milk at 4.30% fat and 3.30% protein in her second lactation last year.

She is due to calve down again in April 2027 after being mated with a Limousin.

Overall, 80 cows in milk averaged £2,849, while 27 heifers in milk averaged £3,243, and four in-calf heifers averaged £3,124.

The 111 pro-cross dairy cattle averaged £2,955/head on the day.

Meanwhile the September edition of the Borderway monthly dairy sale saw 101 Holstein heifers in milk make an average of £2,799.

A further 25 Holstein cows in milk averaged £2,673/head while one Ayrshire heifer in milk made£2,500.

47 Holstein in-calf heifers averaged £2,580/head, while the sale also saw eight Irish Friesian spring calvers make an average of £775/head and seven Irish Friesian bulling heifers make £880/head.