MONDAY proved to be a busy day in the dairy ring at Craven Cattle Marts, as Paul and Janet Bolland began the staged dispersal of their productive herd of Holstien dairy cattle from their farm at Dykelands, Airton.

A super entry of 22 head averaged £1,899 securing both the championship and reserve honours.

During the bi-monthly dairy show and sale, Judge Kevin Midgely, of Thorpe Bassett in Malton, stood by his decision having had strong contenders in both his cow in milk and heifer in milk sections. Not only Janet Bolland’s favourite, but also that of the judge and a numerically strong ringside crowd, was the third calved white spotty daughter of Wilder Dalliance which, having calved in January is back in calf and due within the year. She made £2,700 after a flurry of bids. After a 10,203kg second lactation at 4.84% fat, 3% protein and only 40 cell count, she is still giving 49kg per day.

Also from the Bolland family, the first prize heifer was an April calver by ABS Onyx, giving 34kg per day, and is headed home with the judge at £2,600. With a cross section to include cows up to sixth calvers, the longevity, high fertility, low cell counts and functionality of the stock on offer from the Bolland’s was widely admired by the ringside, with eight of the 22 sailing over the £2,000 barrier. Regular vendors, Moorhouse’s, Dibbs and Smith began sale proceeding with prices of £2,300 for Aireburn Redcarpet Columbia leading the way. This second prize heifer, giving 30kg, heads to her new home with Alan and Emily Middleton of Beamsley Bank, whilst the third prize heifer, from Mark Smith of Winterburn – a daughter of ABS Eldridge - sold for £2,200 to Mark Goodall, Tong, giving 38kg per day.

The next dairy sale on July 3 will include further entries from the Bolland family.