Holstein heifers sold to 4,000 guineas at last week’s sale of pedigree dairy stock conducted by Taaffe Auctions at Dungannon Mart.

Auctioneer Michael Taaffe confirmed a 92% clearance rate at the latest sale, with 74 freshly calved heifers selling to average 1,860gns and 12 cows averaging 1,533gns.

The top-priced animal was born in March 2015, calved just over four weeks prior to sale and is bred from the world-famous Apple family line. In addition to topping the sale, the heifer’s four-week old calf sold for 1,600gns.

The outfit was bred by David Buchannan, Newry, and the heifer purchased by Lawrence Bailie to join his Creevyargon Herd at Ballynahinch.

Other noted prices saw Stuart Graham from Maguiresbridge realise 3,100gns, while 3,050gns was paid for a heifer bred by Brian Mawhinney, Doagh.

The McLean family, Donaghmore sold heifers to a top price of 2,850gns with the Patton family, Newtownards selling to 2,550gns for their pre-show champion.

Cows sold to 2,550gns for an animal in her third lactation. A second-lactation cow sold to 2,400, while commercial heifers peaked at 1,850gns and sold to a 1,404gns average.