The dispersal sale of Rglebe Holsteins in Dungannon Farmers’ Mart last Thursday was topped at 2,300gns by a third-lactation cow, Rglebe Rainman Annie 2.

Yielding 6,089 litres at 4.95% butterfat and 3.46% protein in her last lactation, she last calved on 28 February and is due to calve to the Hereford bull in early February.

Taaffe Auctions conducted the sale on behalf of the retiring Alwyn Loane from Enniskillen. Overall, 66 spring-calved milking cows sold for an average price of 1,460gns.

The second highest price on the day was 2,200gns for a heifer, Rglebe Manifold Annie (PLI£283). She calved on 9 February, is currently yielding 30 litres and is due to the Hereford bull in late February.

“Trade was very strong; any fresh milk met a good demand and went into good money. Older cows, that in past years might not have been sold, moved on well on the day,” Brian Taaffe from Taaffe Auctions said.

Examples of strong prices for older cows included 1,440gns for the fourth lactation Rglebe Fluffy 2 ASR and 1,200gns for the sixth lactation Rglebe Lootman Regriff.

Young stock also sold well with 20 in-calf heifers selling for an average price of 1,240gns. The heifers were autumn 2015-born and were well-grown. The majority of heifers were in calf to Sandy Valley I Pacific, Boldi V Armour or an Aberdeen Angus bull and were due to calve down from January.

The top in-calf heifer price was 1,800gns for Rglebe Brekem Azalea Red, a December 2015-born heifer that is due to an Angus bull in mid-February.

Eight maiden heifers and 28 heifer calves sold to an average of 920gns and 430gns, respectively.

The pedigree Hereford bull Lisrace Liberty IX is Septmeber 2012-born, and made 1,950gns at the end of the sale.