The St Senara Dispersal sale for Peter Cattran at Holsworthy market found a tremendous trade with 14 Guernsey females selling for over 1000 guineas and a further 20 making more than 800 guineas, the top price was Lot 33 who made 2000 and was bought by Colin Evans for his Hilcol herd at Carmarthen. She was St Senara Adrienne,
a third calved daughter of Trewarnevas Precious Lorry, whose daughters were a feature of the sale, the underbidder for Adrienne, bidding on the phone was Morris Grose of Trewarnevas, and he paid 1400 twice for Lot 2 St.Senara Angelica 2 and Lot 10 St Senara Annie, he also bought three more daughters of Boskenna Heidi’s Jasper in addition to Lot 2, they were Lot 62 St. Senara Anoushka 2 for 980, Lot 64 St Senara Jean 3 and Lot 71 St.Senara Bluebell 2 a maiden heifer for 720, his final purchase was Lot 92 a younger sister of Lot 71 St Senara Bluebell 3 by Trewey Surprise for 360.
The main buyer however was Simon Redman of Marhamchurch, Bude who milks 300 mainly Holsteins selling to Dairy Crest Davidstow, he had 47 Guernseys and a few Jerseys before yesterday but added 22 more. Simon told me that his milk price was 1.5 pence per litre above the Davidstow average price as a result of the extra “quality” of the Guernsey milk and I calculate that to be an extra £130 a cow for every cow in the herd, the other bonus is in foot health, with it being very rare for a Guernsey to need to see the “foot doctor” who calls once every two weeks.
Simon bought six notable lots but paid an average of 850 for his 22, Lot 8 St Senara Annie 2 for 1250, Lot 11 St Senara Catherine for 950, Lot 13 St Senara Jerusha 2 for 1000, Lot 14 St Senara Alice for 1000, Lot 30 St Senara Annorra 2 for 1020 and Lot 42 St Senara Jean 2 for 1450.
The other welcome buyers were George and Elsie Fallows from Whiston, Staffordshire who bought 5 Guernseys to add to their Eavesford herd including the best two Sandy Hole heifers which were sold before the St Senara herd, they purchased Lot 17 St Senara Buttercup for 1380, Lot 47 St Senara Anthea for 900 and Lot 60 St Senara Begonia 2 an In calf heifer for 900 and Sandy Hole Rowan for 600 and Sandy Hole Hyacinth for 640.
Buying 7 in calf and maiden heifer on behalf of a client on the Scottish borders was Mr Brendon and they included Lot 61 St Senara Jubilant 2 for 930 and Lot 66 St Senara Betty 2 for 1060, also first time buyers for youngstock were Mr Foot who bought several including Lot 67 St Senara Hopeful 5 for 570 and Mr Clark who paid 360 twice for calves.
Two incalf heifers were purchased by Mr Brice to go to Cardiganshire Lot 56 St Senara Arkle 2 for 750 and Lot 63 St Senara Delphine for 800 to join his organic mixed herd.
Other well known Guernsey breeders buying mainly youngstock included Duncan Vincent and James Warren who was buying on behalf of Matt and Coral Senior, as well as John Marks who bought two smart calves for his grandchildren who are keen members of Devon FGB.
David Mann was competing for the better cows but only managed to buy one, Lot 5 St Senara Anita for 620, she will at least recognise her surroundings as she returns to the farm next door.
One final lot should be mentioned as Lot 15 St Senara Hopeful 4 was purchased for 1350 by Colin Evans and this daughter of Andy Pandy was perhaps the pick of the young cows, she goes to Carmarthen to replace some of the TB reactors that Colin and Hilary are losing, and Colin whilst in Cheshire last week popped into Thornton to see the youngstock that are to be sold as part of the Coloured breed sale at Beeston on the 28th July, which will be the next opportunity to buy Guernsey youngstock, which once again met a flying trade.