Cow and calf pairing lead the way at Woodhall sale

A cow and calf outfit led the charge at the major reduction sale of the Woodhall Simmental herd.

A top price of 16,000gns was paid for the duo at a sale of the entire springcalving portion of Hector MacAskill’s Woodhall herd at Innerwick, near Dunbar.

The sale topper was five-year-old Woodhall Charmaine, by Woodhall Volcano and out of Woodhall Rebeka.

She was sold with her heifer calf, Woodhall Helena, by Raceview Elton KK and in-calf to Raceview Allstar.

The buyer was Chris Traynor, who runs the Kilmore herd at Rosemeadow Farm, Armagh.

Mr Traynor, also bought two other cow and calf outfits and a heifer at 7,500gns, 6,000gns and 6,500gns respectively, to increase numbers in his 20-cow herd.

The second best price at the sale was 9,000gns for four-year-old Woodhall Delightful, by Raceview Allstar, with her heifer calf Woodhall Helki, by Woodhall Volcano.

She sold to the McIlwaine family’s Corrick herd in Newtonstewart, Northern Ireland.

Other leading prices included 6,800gns for in-calf four-year-old cow Woodhall Dixie, by Annick Talisker, selling to Stewart Stronach’s Islavale herd at Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith.

The Hamilton family, who neighbour the MacAskills at Aikengall Farm, near Innerwick, were also out buying cow and calf outfits paying a top of 6,500gns for three-yearold Woodhall Electra, by Major Sky, with her bull calf Woodhall Hamish.

Other buyers included Orcadians Terry and Sheena Coghill of Birsay buying three-year-old Woodhall Eesha, by Curaheen Commanche.

She sold with her bull calf Woodhall Harvey, by Curaheen Emanuel, for 6,000gns.

Another lot at 6,000gns, this time selling to the Mill family’s Shawsmill herd at Lochgelly was threeyear-old Woodhall Eclair, by Raceview Allstar. She sold with her bull calf Hector, by Curaheen Emanuel.

Averages: 31 cows with calves at foot £5,030; 10 in-calf cows £4,442; 10 maiden heifers £3,266.