Alastair takes home silverware from quality dairy show and sale at Shrewsbury

Cheshire dairy farmer Alastair Drinkall took home the Robin Maund Cup from Shrewsbury Auction Centre last week following a high quality turnout of 42 cows and heifers for the annual spring show and sale.

Show judge Alan Tomlinson, a friend of the Maund family, awarded the champion’s cup and best in the heifer section to a commercial heifer owned by A. & C. Drinkall, Winsford which sold for £3,000. The show was sponsored by sponsored by Semex UK.

Reserve champion was another heifer, Dilandy Tommy Bibby from Tony Scott of Nantwich which sold for the day’s top price of £3,580. Purchased as a yearling at Shrewsbury Auction Centre from breeder Andrew Shakeshaft of Ellesmere, the heifer was presented giving 42kg of milk.

“It’s rare to see such a complete heifer as this and credit goes to Tony and the breeder Andrew Shakeshaft,” said Jonny Dymond, Halls auctioneer and Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager.

“The quality of the heifer line up was a credit to the vendors and buyers generated the trade they deserved throughout. The trade was roaring from the word go and more dairy cattle are needed at our weekly market to meet demand from buyers.”

Another quality heifer, Nobold Choice Zara from Nobold Holsteins, Nobold, near Shrewsbury, the first in the market with a fine pedigree giving 34kg, sold for £3,000, while Gordon Dutton, Chester, entered a team of four heifers from his dispersal herd which peaked at £2,900 for one giving 28kg.

A milky and well-balanced white heifer, Cracking Alcove Doll, from C. S. A. Brassington, Roden, giving 34kg, sold for £2,800 while third placed heifer, Millenheath Star Daphne Red from Millenheath Farms, Prees, sold for £2,500.

Three in-calf heifers, due in the autumn to a Hereford bull, sold from £2,100 to £2,250 for Kalex Rager Lena Red. Maiden heifers born last August peaked at £920 for Wolston Stella Glace 133 from George Thomas, Lutterworth.

Winner of the cow section was the first in the ring, Bentleyford Taos Esme VG85, from David and Rob Higgins, Longnor which sold for £2980. Second was a fourth lactation commercial cow form D. H. & J. E. Morgan, Chester which sold for £2,420 and third was a second lactation commercial cow from A. & C. Drinkall which made £2,720

Good Holstein cows were in the mix, including a sixth calver Red and White from A. & C. Drinkall which sold at £2,400 and a third calver giving 50kg from Tony and Ollie Wilson, Leebotwood achieved £2,520.

A run of British Friesians from A. W. & L. Hollinshead, Crewe, giving 30kg and rising, peaked at £2,250.

The averages were: 10 fresh cows to £2,980, averaging £2,367, 25 fresh heifers to £3,580, averaging £2,483, four in-calf heifers to £2,250, averaging £2,055 and three maiden heifers to £920, averaging £907.

Picture: Alastair Drinkall (second from left) receives the Robin Maund Cup from David Gadd from sponsor Semex UK and show judge Alan Tomlinson watched by reserve champion Tony Scott.