Holstein enthusiasts from throughout northern and western Victoria, South Australia, NSW and Queensland competed to secure young Holstein cows at the Brurob Holsteins major dispersal sale on Friday, June 28.
Many of the buyers had successfully bought cattle in November last year, at Brurob Holsteins’ dispersal of spring calving first- and second-calvers.
Friday’s sale, held at Shepparton Regional Saleyards and online through Stocklive, saw all 103 cows sold. They were either in their first or second lactation, and autumn-calved.
The herd was the second-stage dispersal by JM Hiscock & Sons of Numurkah and Kilmore.
Rob Hiscock told Dairy News Australia the young cows were sold because he was retiring from the dairy industry.
He has sold his dairy farm, with properties at Numurkah and Kilmore.
“I sold the farm with a certain amount of mostly mature cows,” he said.
“There’s a fair bit of work in properly milking cows. I’ve spent my life breeding these cows. And now I’m selling them.”
A final sale later this year, of spring-calving heifers, will see the remainder of his registered herd dispersed.
On Friday, there were several volume buyers looking for young cattle.
The sale offering was milking an average of 38 litres, with a cell count of 16.
Sale average price was $3590, from a gross of $369,750. The 45 second-lactation cow, producing 42 litres at 20cc, averaged a return of $3902.
The 58 first-lactation cows, producing 35 litres at 12cc, averaged $3347.
The sale top price of $6200 was paid by Alan and Matt Dennis of Calivil, of Yonks Park Holsteins, for Lot 41, Brurob Tatoo Betsyann, classified VG86. A four-year-old cow, calved in February, she was artificially inseminated in June to Footprint.
“Brurob Tatoo Betsyann was recently classified VG86, completing 10 generations of EX and VG. She’s bred from the famed Cha-Hol Betsyann family,” Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said.
From the same maternal line, the Dennis family also purchased Lot 42, Brurob Kingdoc Betsyann VG86, also AI to Footprint, at $5600; and Lot 44, Brurob Dreambig Betsyann, at $3400.
Neville and Simon Wilkie of Crookslea Holsteins and Guernseys, Bacchus Marsh, purchased Lot 24, Brurob Tatoo Prima GP83, at $5700. This four-year-old cow calved in February and was joined by AI in May to Luxuor.
“This tremendous young cow is a second-lactation cow and sported a great udder,” Mr Leslie said.
Stephen and Leanne Coombes and family, Kalulla Park Holsteins, Attunga, NSW, selected nearly a dozen of the first and second lactation cows. They paid $5200 twice, for lots 34 and 39.
Lot 34, Brurob Radio Slide VG86, was First in Milk Champion Heifer and Grand Champion All Breeds Youth Show at International Dairy Week 2023. The four-year-old cow calved in March.
Lot 39, Brurob Dropkick Betsyann, another four-year-old young cow with a calf on the ground in February, is milking 51 litres, and was AI in May to Actionman.
The Coombes family bid online, and started picking up their new young herd by paying $4700 for Lot 5, Brurob Kingdoc Eloise VG85, calved in February and AI in May to Footprint.
They also paid $4600 each for Lot 45 Brurob Stchief Elegance GP83 and Lot 48 I Like’Em Undenied Mary GP84. Both four-year-old cows were calved in February and rejoined — Lot 45 is AI to Rubels Red and Lot 48 is AI to Actionman.
Another volume buyer — Grant and Nikki Ryder, from the Upper Kiewa Valley — were buying to increase their herd size. They bought about one-third of the cows on offer.
Another volume buyer also purchased about one-third of the consignment.
“The line of cows on offer here today were an exceptional quality with good udders,” Mr Leslie said.
“We enjoyed selling these cows because they were so good and they will do well for everyone who bought them.”