Prices peak at 5,000 guineas at Lilleshall Pedigree Holsteins dispersal sale

Buyers from across England and Wales flocked to Shrewsbury Auction Centre on Friday for the dispersal sale of a pedigree Shropshire dairy herd, which saw prices peak at 5,000 guineas.

The sale of Lilleshall Pedigree Holsteins was conducted by Halls Auctioneers on behalf of S. M. Gilman and Partners, Abbey Farm, Lilleshall, Newport.

The herd had been loving assembled over 25 years, Philip Gilman having a real love for red and white cows, which commanded the sale’s highest prices.

Robotically milked, the herd was averaging 38 kilos per day with 305 day averages of 10,736 kg with 4.2% butterfat, 3.5% protein and 120 cell count.

The sale topper was LILLESHALL SHIELD RAE RED 11 ET VG85, who featured on the sale catalogue’s inside cover. Described by auctioneer Jonny Dymond as “a picture of near perfect balance and power”, she commanded huge interest before selling for 5,000gns to Messrs SB farms, Haverfordwest, who purchased many of the sale’s top sellers.

One of the partnership’s prudent investments was Hayvalley Jordy Rae Red EX91. Purchased in 2020, she was flushed to Koepon Shield Red, resulting in seven first and second lactation cows and heifers which averaged £3,728 in the sale.

Second best price went to another red heifer, LILLESHALL ELEVATED RHAPSODY RED 5 VG85 -her fourth dam being the all-conquering “Tank” – which sold for 4,900gns to Obsidian Holstein, Stafford.

One month fresh LILLESHALL SHEILD RAE RED 8 continued that family’s success at 4,600gns, purchased by  B. & E. L. Carr, Worcestershire. Her 32-day heifer calf by Peak Altalieonme sold for 1,000gns.

Fourth lactation PEAK RUBELS RHAPSODY EX92, dam of the Elevated Rhapsody mentioned previously, sold for 4,100gns and two fresh heifers from the Avis family, LILLESHALL RUBELS AVIS B 55 VG 86 and LILLESHALL ELEVATED AVIS B RED 56, also broke the 4,000gns barrier, both purchased by SB Farms.

Dry cows were in strong demand and peaked at 3,400gns for LILLESHALL SHEILD RAE RED 6, in-calf to an Angus for June. More than 20 dry cows sold for 2,500gns or more.

In-calf heifers sold to levels rarely seen, topping at 3,700gns for LILLESHALL MCDONALD P ZANDRA 7, bred from the exceptional Woodmarsh line and due to Peak Altaindigo in July .

Sold for 3,600gns was LILLESHALL ELEVATED HELENE RED 44, another beautiful heifer, due in June, by Elevated red who really had left a mark on this herd. Three other in-calf heifers sold for 3,000gns and the whole offering of 51 in-calf heifers achieved an average of £2,497.

The bulling and maiden heifers also attracted a hot trade, with only four out of 62 selling for less than 1,000gns. This section included heifers due to be server and those just over six months old.

Prices sailed to 2,000gns for LILLESHALL RAINTON MELODY, one of the last heifers in the catalogue born October 20, 2024. The yearling, LILLESHALL ELEVATED ASHLYN and LILLESHALL RAINTON LILA Z RED, born on September 13, 2024, each sold for 1,900gns.

Herd averages were: 203 cows and heifers in milk £2,440, 40 dry cows £2,619, 51 in-calf heifers £2,497, 62 maiden and bulling heifers £1,460, and 72 “A” lot heifer calves £674.

“It was a truly magnificent sale,” said Mr Dymond. “The youngstock at the sale were simply incredible and rarely, if ever, has such well-bred and reared group been offered in an auction. The ringside remained busy right to the end of the sale.”

Dairy equipment on offer was also keenly contested. Top prices were £10,200 for 2011 Lely Robots, £6,500 for a 12,000 litre bulk tank, £4,000 for a 2011 Lely Juno and £2,000 each for Lely Plate Coolers £2800 and a Fullwood Icebank.

Underlining Shrewsbury Auction Centre’s credentials for selling dairy herds whilst also ensuring cow welfare, auctioneers Halls invested in a 14-stall milking parlour and changed their penning methods in 2023.

“Cow health and happiness is of paramount importance to us, as we know we only get one chance to sell a herd for the owner,” explained Mr Dymond.

“The Lilleshall herd was robot milked and therefore the cattle were milked on arrival at the auction and again immediately post sale. Milking was concluded 30 minutes before the last youngstock were sold. We are proud to say that our protocols worked perfectly.”  

S. M. Gilman and Partners thanked everyone involved in the successful sale , including family and friends. They also said they were “incredibly grateful” to past and present farm workers for their hard work, commitment and care.

“To all the buyers, we sincerely wish you all the best with your new cows,” they added. “It means a lot to us to see them go to good homes where they will continue to be valued and well cared for.

“We would also like to thank Halls for their professionalism and support in handling the sale.”