Dispersal sale of last dairy herd in Banffshire

Farmers from all over the UK descended on the north east for the dispersal sale of the last dairy herd in Banffshire.

Geddes Chalmers, who farms at Drum Farm, near Keith, dispersed the entire milking portion of his herd at Thainstone.

Buyers flocked from as far north as Shetland and as far south as Abergele in North Wales to place their bids on more than 140 Holstein Friesian cattle from the Drum herd.

Mr Geddes, 64, said although he was happy with the trade, he was sad that the sale marked the closure of another dairy farm in the region.

Last week Mr Geddes revealed his decision to retire from the industry and sell his farm had been hastened by dairy giant Muller’s decision to shut the only milk processing plant in the region last year.

Rather than accepting new contract terms and paying a 1.75p-a-litre transport levy to have his milk hauled south for processing, Mr Geddes gave the company 12 months’ notice to quit.

Mr Geddes expressed disappointment that his 500-acre farm, which is being marketed through Savills, could not continue as a dairy unit despite interest from potential buyers.

He said Muller was not willing to take on new suppliers in the area.

Yesterday’s sale, which was conducted by Aberdeen and Northern Marts auctioneer Colin Slessor, topped at £1,750 for a third-calver giving 47.4kg. She sold, having run with Deveronside Chicharito, to John Forbes of Slains Park, Kinneff, Montrose.

Mr Forbes also paid the second best price of £1,700 twice, purchasing a total of 19 lots from the Drum herd.

Another buyer paying £1,700 for an entry, and buying eight lots in total, was G and A Taylor, Upper Braiklay, Methlick, Ellon.