Auctioneer Glyn Lucas selling from rostrum

John Mackie’s Dalfibble Herd of Pedigree Holsteins was dispersed on the 15th of March 2007 at Dalfibble Farm.

The sale was attended by over 400 people from all over the UK and Ireland. This herd consisted of tremendous commercial type cattle, perfect for large dairy operations.

John had used a breeding policy of high production sires, combined latterly with some of the breeds leading type sires, resulting in some very fancy young stock.

The herd was much admired by many dairy producers from Ireland, resulting in over 140 animals being exported across the water to 18 different buyers.

Top price of the day went to Cover Girl, Dalfibble Wallace Emblem, a daughter of Etazon Wallace, this winning show cow sold in her 4th lactation with a record of over 13,000 kgs in her last lactation and sold for 2,300gns. Also joining the same herd for 1,700gns is another show winning heifer sired by Cogent Summersby, Dalfibble Summersby Dawn sold in her 2nd lactation, giving 51kgs daily.

Messrs A & I Lamont, Sandieston Fm, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, purchased a daughter of Painley Knightingale, also for 1,700gns this outstanding 2nd calver sold giving 44kgs a day and is projected for almost 11,000kgs.

Dalfibble Sinatra Selina sold for 1,650gns, fresh in her 2nd lactation to Mrs F Awde, Broadmeadows Fm, Melmerby, Penrith, this stylish Sinatra daughter is also joined by 8 other awesome individuals.

John and his wife Jackie would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the sale and wish them all the best with their new purchases.

Dalfibble sale in action

Leading prices

Averages
149 cows in-milk  £907.02
52 heifers in-milk  £922.38
52 in-calf heifers   £924.61
163 calves & bulling heifers £542.65

Press Release

RECORD HOLSTEIN NUMBERS SELL

On the 15th March 2007 at Dalfibble Farm, Dumfries, John Mackie will disperse his herd of Holstein cattle. This will be one of the largest sales this year with 500 head selling in one day.

John Mackie has farmed at Dalfibble all his life and his family have milked cows there since 1898. Large numbers have always been milked at the farm with John’s grandfather milking 90 cows as far back as 1930. By the 70’s Johns father had raised numbers to 150 and in 1999 numbers reached 280 when a new parlour was installed. Since then the farm has seen a steady investment in buildings making it into a modern dairy.

The herd traces back to the original pedigree Ayrshire cattle with Holstein bulls introduced in the late 60’s. John used top ranked high PIN/PLI bulls for a number of years to raise the production, butterfat and protein. Currently the herd rolling average is 9162kg 4.31%bf 3.32%p with a somatic cell count of 167. Four years ago a decision was made to use high type bulls and this now reflects in the milking heifers and young stock for sale; many being sired by the likes of Comestar Outside, Braedale Freeman, Summershade Igniter, Aquila Patron Lucente.

When numbers increased to 280 John purchased four main lots of cattle. 40 in calf heifers were bought from Mackies in Aberdeenshire, 30 cows and heifers from the highly respected Petteril herd at Penrith and another 30 from the Cassiegill dispersal in 2003.

The animals purchased from the elite herd at Petteril revitalised John’s interest in pedigrees and today much of the herd has been upgraded /registered. John’s herdsman Stuart Gilliand has also maintained a strong interest in the show ring with recent success at the Dumfries and Moffat shows and having calves at the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show in Stoneleigh.

There are many attractions in this dispersal that should be highlighted for the dairy producer looking for robust genuine Holstein cattle. Firstly the excellent choice on sale in one day with 500 head selling giving everyone a great selection to buy from. Secondly these cows can milk! The current yield is 32.3kg daily and in the past six months they have not dropped below 31.5kg. Along with this impressive production is very high butterfat and protein percentages 4.3%bf and 3.32%p. Generally speaking they are medium sized cows perfect for cubicle systems. They have strong feet and legs with silky well attached udders. Another great attraction is the age of the herd 72% being in their first three lactations with 75 in their first 67 in their second and 44 thirds. As mentioned above the young stock are an attractive group of cattle all sired by high type sires they are strong and powerful for there age.

Herd management is kept as simple as possible; the cows are feed on a Total Mixed Ration. Pregnancy Diagnosis is performed on monthly basis with the cows all housed in cubicles. The herd is vaccinated for IBR BVD and LEPTO and they are in a TB free area.

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