Records Fall as Moonshines sparkle at Knockenjig sale

The majority of the Ayrshire breeders in the UK and Ireland travelled to Borderway on the 11th March to see the famous Knockenjig herd dispersed. It had been a much anticipated event since it was first advertised and the enormous crowd witnessed one of the greatest sales in living memory, a fitting tribute to David and Rosemary Dickie for their years of dedication to the breeding and management of the Knockenjig herd

Many Excellent and Very Good cows and heifers were sold to other leading herds throughout the UK and Ireland, with the young stock especially creating a massive demand resulting in an average of £897 for all calves under one year old.

The second highest price ever paid for an Ayrshire cow was realised for Knockenjig Moonshine 23 VG 88 selling for 7000 gns to the Logan family, Holehouse Farms, Holehouse, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire. This beautiful uddered cow was just starting her second lactation and should be a big contender for some of the spring shows. Her pedigree was impressive, sired by Woodland View Pardner and from an Excellent grand dam who produced over 60 ton lifetime.

From the same family Knockenjig Moonshine 22 VG 88 sold for 6000 gns to S P R Reed, Rhos-Y-Gadair Fawr, Blaenannerch, Cardigan. She sold carrying an Easlad pregnancy for early May, last year she was placed second at the Royal Highland Show to the overall champion while she had been first prize heifer in milk at the same event in 2007. Also selling for 6000 gns was Knockenjig Lucky 22 H1 86, that was 1st heifer in milk at last year’s Dumfries Show and placed 3rd at Agriscot as a senior heifer in milk. This beautifully balanced daughter of Hunnington Easlad now joins the herd of G Thomas, Tyreglwys Farm, Llangennech, Llanelli, Dyfed.

Knockenjig Wallpocket 15 H1 86 one of the stars from last years Agriscot, sold for 5200 gns to J Adamson & Son, Swaites, Pettinain, Lanark. Sired by McCornick Nelson she was the winning junior heifer in milk class at Agriscot and a contender in the overall championship.

The herd was full of tremendous functional cows like Knockenjig Brindle 21 VG 87, a cow with an awesome udder which sold for 4,100 gns to S N Bailey & Partners, Upper Lightwood Green, Crewe. This second calf cow was due in October to Easlad.

Probably the most sought after family was the Tilda’s, with buyers clamouring for their unique blend of top type combined with high quality milk. Highest seller at 3300 gns was Knockenjig Tilda 7, an EX 90 daughter of Lord Ontario that oozed dairyness, she sold to A G McDougall, Burnbank, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. Her maternal sister, Tilda 10 rated as 86 points as heifer, sold at 3000 gns to H Howie, Wellhouse, Kirkcolm, Stranraer. This daughter of Autumn Gold had been 3rd prize heifer in milk at last year’s Royal Highland when stale and looked to have the potential to go even further.

Young stock were in tremendous demand especially those from great cow families so it was no surprise when another from this family, this time Knockenjig Tilda 13 topped the in-calf heifer section selling for 3,500 gns to G Thomas, Tyreglwys Farm, Llangennech, Llanelli, Dyfed. This very stylish heifer was sired by Triple Crown and from an EX 90 maternal sister to the two high priced cows earlier, again with high production and components. Another from a great cow family, this time Knockenjig Snowbell 47, was second highest in this section. This daughter of the top UK sire Changue Tryst, sold for 2900 gns to J McGarva, Horseclose, Annan

The highest price calf under one year old was Knockenjig Heather Bloom 22 the result of a contract mating to B Jurist from Knockenjig Heather Bloom 9 EX 91 2E, while the grand dam was an EX 2 star brood cow with 60 tonnes lifetime. Both calf and dam sold to J S Watson, High Mark Farm, Leswalt, Stranraer for 2400 gns.

Bulls were in tremendous demand selling to 3200 gns for Knowe Brown Patrick. He sold to join the Danamona herd of Thomas and Allan Irwin, Fintona, Co. Tyrone.

Other leading prices

  • K. Wren 15 - 2900 - J A McGarva, Horseclose Farm, Annan
  • K. Poker 11 - 2800 - G & B Stevenson & Sons, Blue House Farm
  • K. Polly 13 - 2700 - D R & C Galbraith, Sunny Bank Farm, Kendal
  • K. Snowbell 41 - 2700 - G Lawrie, Brieryside, Monkton, Prestwick
  • K. Erica 8 - 2600 - G Lawrie, Brieryside, Monkton, Prestwick
  • K. Wallpocket 12 - 2600 - T A & E Jackson, Guillyhill, Holywood, Dumfries
  • K. Ida 14 - 2500 - S N Bailey & Partners, Upper Lightwood Green, Crewe
  • K. Snowbell 32 - 2500 - T A & E Jackson, Guillyhill, Holywood, Dumfries
  • K. Heather Bloom 15 - 2500 - T A & E Jackson, Guillyhill, Dumfries
  • K. Isobel 13 - 2400 - T A & E Jackson, Guillyhill, Holywood, Dumfries
  • K. Snowbell 40 - 2400 - T Crawford & Co, Longwood House, Leic.

Averages:

  • 186 Cows & Heifers including calves - £2175.19
  • 51 In Calf Heifers - £1284.91,
  • 85 Maiden Heifers - £864.95,
  • 4 Bulls - £2401.88,
  • 326 Overall - £1702.22