The highest ever average for a single vendor Illawarra Sale in Australia resulted when a large crowd of Illawarra enthusiasts were at Warwick, Qld for the Complete Dispersal of the milking herd of the Lester family’s St Andrews Illawarra Stud.
The stud was established some 106 years ago.
Sale top of $15,000 was paid for the tremendous young cow St Andrews Model 7, this Sun Supreme daughter is from Model 6, EX 91 and was purchased by Waraba Illawarras of Imbil, Qld.
Next top of $11,000 was St Andrews Gem 501 another fine uddered 1st lactation cow and one of many outstanding daughters of St Andrews Alliance 3, she was purchased by Jason Phillips, Sunny View Illawarra’s of Toowoomba, Qld.
JP Bourke & Co, Myrtleholme Ilawarra’s of Gladfield, Qld selected several top lots, these included St Andrews Dale 141 an Unstopabull daughter of Dale 46, EX 91 at $9,000. St Andrews Rose 187, VG 87 a Maxima daughter with PI’s of 110 at $8,000, St Andrews Dale 94, EX 91 at $7,500, St Andrews Pet 39, by Alliance 3 at $7,500 and St Andrews Rose 184, VG at $5,000.
Sabaree P/L of Carters Ridge selected top cows throughout the sale including the Alliance 4 year old St Andrews Rose 200, VG at $8,000.
Interstate buyers were strong throughout the sale, Victorian Breeder Jason Smith of Simpson paid $7,500 for St Andrews Gentle 461 and $6,500 for St Andrews Dale 120. Well known South Australian Breeders I & J Mueller of Glenbrook Illawarra’s paid $7,000 for St Andrews Showgirl 138 a stylish daughter of Alliance 3. The famed Llandovery herd of Girgarre, Vic selected St Andrews Dale 131 at $5,500.
NSW breeders Debreceny & O’Keefe of Comboyne purchased a wonderful line of cows including St Andrews Dale 116 at $6,000 and St Andrews Dale 142 at $5,000. Warren Gallagher of Moyola Illawarra’s, Eureka, NSW selected 15 cows throughout the sale bidding online via Elite these included the superb uddered St Andrews Queenie 103 at $5,500, St Andrews Dale 116 also at $5,500, St Andrews Primrose 41 at $5,000 and Ovensdale Pixie 151 at $5,000.
B & C Holt of Cedar Pocket, Qld paid $6,000 for St Andrews Flora 115. J Bradley of Rush Creek, Qld selected St Andrews Beauty 178 at $5,500. Marella Farms of Freestone, Qld purchased many lots including St Andrews A Midge at $5,500, St Andrews Gem 499 also at $5,500 and St Andrews Dale 125 at $5,000. Local buyers Kingsford Farms of Warwick paid $5,000 for St Andrews Florrie 13.
The largest buyers of the day were Watts & Abbott of The Falls, Qld in their selections was St Andrews Dale 136 at $5,000.
Selling agents Dairy Livestock Services and George & Fuhrmann report – 116 Illawarra Cows gross $460,850 Av $3,975
-DLS