NZL buyer at Pathway of Panda sale in the UK
Top price was 15,000gns for Lot 25, Panda Christmas O'Kracker Red.
If anyone needed proof that Holsteins are addictive and that marketing works, Panda Holsteins put together a textbook example on July 1.
The Pathway of Panda Sale was sold on behalf of father-and-daughter combination Andrew and Molly Westwood – on-farm under H&H’s hammer at Molland Ridge Farm, at Chulmleigh, Devon. Among the buyers was a former dairyman who first dispersed his herd in 1998, a New Zealand buyer who signaled fresh buying power in the UK market, and a Gloucester farmer who had never bought registered cattle before today, and who took home five head.
While Panda has always been in the market to sell cattle from its high-end herd, it had never gone to public auction with the best it had to offer in a single day. It put up 70-head – of which 90% were Red & White Holstein or Red Carriers – with an average of 11 generations VG/EX, and +10 points of Conformation.
In all, 70 lots grossed £222,936 with the in-milk animals averaging £3911.25 and the 50 live lots averaging £3752.14 overall.
Breaking it down further:
· 12 heifer calves averaged £3377.50
· 20 yearling heifers averaged £3953.25
· Four in-calf heifers averaged £3832.50
· One bull sold for £1470
· One IVF lot sold for 3200gns
· 35 embryos averaged £558.60
· 20 doses of semen averaged £89.25/straw
The top price was sold to Andrew Bailey, of Baileys Holsteins. He admitted – even with dispersals behind him – that the Red & White Holsteins continued to be an addiction that drew him like a moth to the flame. He paid 15,000gns for Lot 25, Panda Christmas O'Kracker Red. The December 2023-born Red & White Holstein was sired by Blondin Alpha from Panda Christmas Red VG85 3YR. Andrew confirmed that he will leave the heifer at Panda Holsteins, and he is looking forward to following her progress at the premier boarding facility.
He had come to the sale determined to buy O'Kracker and even though a couple of earlier lots interested him, he held to his game plan. The dairy consultant and feed specialist said he had to dig a little deeper than he expected, but he got what he came for. He also bought Lot 35, Panda Subaru Red, a 15-month-old bull, for 1400gns.
New Zealanders Rob and Steph Trainor and Hennie and Kerrie Verwaayen, buying the second-top price was the culmination of a dream. Lot 17, Panda Hulu Hip Hop, is the sole heifer in the world to combine +3000 TPI with +2PTAT, +2 Mammary, +2 Feet and Legs and +1 DPR. With AI interest across the globe, maternal brothers in AI, and future bull mother stamped all over her pedigree the Kiwis didn’t hold back – pushing through to 10,000gns. As they tuned into their mobiles phones to see what that was costing in New Zealand dollars, they could have been forgiven for having second thoughts. But they didn’t hesitate. They also bought Lot 29, Panda Rebell RC for 1700gns.
Steph and Rob Trainor checking out how many guineas it would take to transfer to New Zealand dollars.
Rob and Steph Trainor were at the sale with their daughter, Helen and their English son-in-law, Aaron Sampson. They said the two heifers came in on budget, and they were very happy with the result. Both animals will remain at Panda to be managed and flushed for the New Zealand market. Having family at Gloucester means Panda will have regular visits from Hip Hop’s new owners.
“We haven’t bought in guineas before, so we had to google to find out what that was all about,” Rob Trainor said. “We were converting the totals the whole time, but we had a budget, and we’re pleased.
“We weren’t sure what to expect, but it’s not too different to what we do at home. Molly has got a wonderful set up and if either of them look good enough and develop well enough, we’d love to see them showed as well.”
Steph added, “Rob is always happy once it’s done.”
There was also some more fresh blood in the mix with John Cookson and Pearl Trow buying five head for 5900gns. The couple, from Gloucester, who manage a herd of 300-head, have never bought in the registered market before. Pearl said they were excited to see where the new venture took them both.
Molly Westwood said she was “over the moon” with the sale.
“For the two top lots to go to a breeder I’ve never dealt with before, and to New Zealand respectively is exciting for me,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Molly Westwood and Martin Pearson are ready to put the “quality” into time…
She said she felt the tone from the start was encouraging.
“Lot 1 [Panda Amberley O’Kalibra Red VG87 – 5800gns] made way more than what I expected. But she’s a cow that surprises me in a good way every time she calves. I knew she’d looked good, and her daughters are exceptional.
“Where I think this sale has completely shocked me is with the people who have bought. They are people I haven’t heard of or dealt with before, and the locals really supported it too.
“We couldn’t be more grateful or gratified, and we’d like to wish all purchasers the best of luck.”
The top 10 prices and buyers are as follows:
LOT 25 – PANDA CHRISTMAS O’KRACKER RED – sold to Andrew Bailey, Lancaster – for 15,000gns
LOT 17 – PANDA HULU HIP HOP – sold to Trainor & H & K Verwaayen, NZL – for 10,000gns
LOT 28 – PANDA CHRISTMAS O’KAROL RC – sold to CR & YS Bennett, Dorset – for 6000gns
LOT 1 – PANDA AMBERLEY O’KALIBRA RED VG87 – sold to Fox Farm, Shrewsbury – for 5800gns
LOT 52 – PANDA BLACK IVY – sold to Fox Farm, Shrewsbury – for 5800gns
LOT 56 – PANDA IM A GEM RC – sold Llwydcoed, Bryneryr, Bryndu, & Llanelli Carmarthenshire – for 5000gns
LOT 30 – PANDA MISS DIAMOND RC VG87-2YR – sold Mycocks Agri Ltd, Derbyshire, – for 4800gns
LOT 41– PANDA UNIQUE CHEERIO RED EX91 – sold MJ & AJ Saunders, Devon – for 4800gns
LOT 66 – PANDA O’KARAOKE RED – sold TP CR & YS Bennett, Dorset – for 4800gns
LOT 67 – PANDA LEEDHAM O’KAZOO RC – sold to Alistair Logan, Ayrshire – for 4600gns
