A large crowd of Holstein enthusiasts were both on site at Arabella, Queensland or online via Elite for the Milking Herd and select heifer Dispersal Sale of the Holmes Family.
Sale top of $19,000 was paid by Victorian Breeders K & H Jones of Foster for the young Show cow Arabella Lambda Olivia bred down from the Brisbane Royal Champion Glenalbas Goldwyn Olivia, EX 92, 3E.
This mighty maternal line met strong demand and also included Arabella 1st Grade Olivia, VG 89 at $15,000 selling to Brindabella Holsteins, Vic, Arabella Kick Olivia, a classy Sidekick yearling from 1st Olivia at $12,500 to Reg Cochrane P/L of NSW and Arabella Doorman Olivia, VG at $11,000 to A & A Crawford of NSW.
The equal second high of the sale was Arabella SK Dottie, VG 86 bred from the same family as the current IDW Grand Champion, she sold at $18,500 to A & S Barron of Qld. Also at this price was Arabella Dempsey Fantisco, VG 86 bred from the Quality Frans, she sold to K & K Cash of Vic.
Top selling unjoined heifer at $17,000 was Arabella MS Chief Ding, this Chief from a Sidekick dam bred down from many time Royal Champion Gibson Blackding, EX 92 sold to Paulger Partners of Qld.
The same buyers also selected Arabella Solomon Georgette, VG 87 at $16,000. Also at $16,000 was the recently scored EX cow Arabella Fry Whisky selling to A & A Crawford of NSW, they also selected Arabella Appleback Betsy, a joined Diamondback heifer who had won her class at Brisbane Royal at $10,000.
The well known Tomargo Recluse herd of the Chesworth Family at Dubbo, NSW purchased several outstanding lots including Arabella Lambda Whisky at $15,000 and Arabella Doc Georgette at $14,000.
Local buyers, Argyll Farming purchased several females including Arabella Diamond S Whisky at $13,000 and Arabella Miss Ding an 11th gen EX & VG at $10,000.
There was a very select group of Red Holsteins on offer, these included Arabella Devour Rebel-R at $11,000 selling to Brindabella Holsteins, Vic.
Other noted sales included Arabella Tatoo Dottie at $10,000 to W & L McKay of Vic, Arabella Control Tam, VG 88 at $10,000 to M Wheildon of Qld, Arabella Lambda Georgette at $10,000 to A & S Barron and Arabella SK Vickie also at $10,000 to R Nelson of Qld.
Selling agents Dairy Livestock Services report the following details – 76 Cows av $8,125, 22 joined Heifers av $7,136, 11 Unjoined Heifers av $6,727
109 Arabella Holsteins av $7,784
Albion Park Holsteins sold 9 cows av $4,945
118 Holsteins gross $893,000
Av $7,568
Buyers were from throughout Qld, NSW and Victoria.