Camera at the Mart attended the monthly sale of freshly calved Holstein heifers and cows conducted by Taaffe Auctions at Dungannon Farmers Mart.
Just over 70 calved heifers and cows were entered for sale, along with a good selection of Friesian heifers on the point of calving also going under the hammer.
Commenting on the sale, auctioneer Michael Taaffe said the sale saw an easier trade for freshly calved milking stock, with prices down marginally on previous sales.
A big factor leading to an easier trade is the number of dairy stock being forwarded at present, with Michael stating that more sales and a bigger selection of milking stock allows buyers to be more selective when purchasing cows and heifers.
Prior to the sale, the pre-show judging saw a February 2017-born heifer bred by Geoffrey Patton, Carrowdore, being tapped out as the supreme champion.
Calved on 23 December and currently yielding 40 litres/day, this heifer was bred from the Primrose family and sold for 2,600gns (£2,730).
The Patton family had further success with their October 2017-born heifer Carrowcroft Intruder Mill taking reserve supreme champion. This heifer, calved on 4 January and yielding 34 litres/day, went on to sell for 2,350gns (£2,467).
Receiving an honourable mention was the second-calved heifer from the McLean family, Donaghmore. This November 2016-born heifer calved on 8 January and yielded over 10,000 litres in her first lactation. Currently yielding 40 litres/day, she went on to sell for 2,330gns (£2,446).
Other stand-out prices saw 2,600gns also paid for a heifer from Cyril Gibson, Sixmilecross. Calved on 18 December and yielding 31 litres/day, this animal was one of the first Westcoast Pereus daughters to be sold at the monthly Dungannon sale.
Another Perseus heifer from the same breeder sold to 2,280gns (£2,394).
Making 2,300gns (£2,415) was a heifer forwarded by the Patton family, which calved on 29 December and is yielding 35.6 litres/day.
The same breeders also sold a heifer yielding 38 litres/day to 2,180gns.
Several lots sold to 2,000gns, with a good run of heifers making 1,750gns to 1,900gns for animals calved just under one month.
