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FIRST SALE OF BVD STATUS BULLING HEIFERS AT THAINSTONE - SALE REPORT
The following was copied from Press and Journal Report from Saturday 19 September 2009. Thanks to Joe Watson for his report.
The first sale at Inverurie’s Thainstone Centre of breeding cattle certified free and vaccinated against a debilitating disease was hailed yesterday.
The pioneering breeders who are tackling bovine viral diarrhoea hope it will become the first of many as well as provide the incentive for more to sign up to the growing effort to eradicate it.
The virus imposes millions of pounds of extra unnecessary costs on cattle production annually through infertility in cows, abortions, and deformities in calves that are born infected with it.
Orkney has already taken the lead in virtually eradicating it, while breeders in central Aberdeenshire have in recent months been similarly inspired to deal with it.
Several EU countries have already rid their herds of the disease. A national programme is being contemplated by the Scottish Government and industry.
The sale at Thainstone involved 88 heifers which sold to average 206.5p per kg or £1,017.72 a head. Top price was £1,950 for the red and white champion from Alistair Smart, of G. P. Smart and Son, of Shiel, Alford.
This 546kg (1,212lb) home-bred 18-month-old British Blue cross heifer was bought by Ardhunkart Farms, Kildrummy.
Mr Smart also won the bulling heifer championship with another 18-month British Blue cross. It made £1,800 to Andy Duncan, of Hillocks of Keig, Alford.
The best pair were Limousin cross British Blues from David Hay, of 48 John Morrison Crescent, Maud. They sold at £1,550 each to judge Harry Emslie, of Kinknockie, Mintlaw.
Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ auctioneer Allan Taylor said there was considerable interest in the sale, adding: “People were clearly there looking for certified heifers.
“It will be repeated at the main breeding sale at the end of October when there will be the best part of 300 spring-calving heifers forward that will have been blooded and vaccinated before going to the bull.
“We were pleased with the trade. Every beast that was on offer attracted interest, which demonstrated a need for tested heifers. There were a few people bidding only on the BVD-free heifers.”
Mr Smart, who has been at the forefront of efforts in Aberdeenshire to tackle BVD, was encouraged.
His herd of 100 cows has been free of BVD for a decade.
He believes the sale will become the first of many, adding: “I hope it sets a precedent and it is seen as the start of things to come.
“I hope it encourages other breeders to become involved.”
Among other leading prices were:
StabX – Shiel, 522kg, £1,400; 586kg, £1,220.
LimX – 48 John Morrison Crescent 508kg, £1,350; 504kg, £1,250.
BB – Shiel 560kg, £1,300. BBX – Shiel 541kg, £1,100; 48 John Morrison Crescent 474kg, £1,100.
Lim – West Knock Farms, Stuartfield, 548kg, £1,120; 586kg, £1,100.
BAX – 48 John Morrison Crescent 474kg, £1,100.