Andrew and Michelle Hall had a very successful sale of their youngstock at Beeston Market yesterday. The sale which was caused by the recent collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain gave an opportunity for others to buy into the very good cow families that are to be found in the Thornton herd.
The In Calf heifers averaged £1315 and sold up to £1627 for Thornton Rachel 5 who was purchased by JT & ME Hassall & Sons for their Elanbee herd.
The bulling heifers averaged £826 and again the top priced heifer was bought by JT&ME Hassal & Sons and she was Thornton Lady 4 purchased for £1134.
The yearlings averaged £668 and the top priced heifer at £997 was Thornton Isobel 75 purchased by Colin Evans for his Hilcol herd.
The calves averaged £444.
The young bulls were all purchased by leading Guernsey breeders with Merion Jones purchasing Thornton Pales an Aaron son out of the Ex Thornton Blackberry for £850 for his Aber herd at Carmarthen.
Thornton Priapus a maternal brother to Pales was purchased by the Fallows family for their Eavesford herd.
Ernie Durose purchased Thornton Helios, the son of the VG89 Thornton Aurea 21 for his Leighgrange herd.
Nick Gosling was bidding on the phone for yearling heifers for his Artis herd having purchased 13 yearlings from Thornton a year ago in a private sale.
Andrew Hope was also purchasing youngstock for his Tiresford herd and both of these last two buyers are looking to increase the amount of Guernsey milk they produce for their Retail businesses.