Heifer sells at record price

A heifer owned by a Mid Wales farmer has set a new record price of £1,910 for dairy cattle sold at Shrewsbury Auction Centre.

Messrs W. Davies and Son, of Aberhafesp, near Newtown, saw the heifer, which was sired by Joylan Majesty - a test bull with World Wide Sires - sell to Mr Anthony Mathews from Blackoe, Whitchurch.

This heifer achieved third place in the annual competition for the Bill Higgins Cup, the highlight of a Prize Show and Sale on November 6.

Cup winners for a fourth consecutive year were Messrs D. and S. Gethin of The Gaer, Montgomery with another heifer by a bull with World Wide Sires connections, Juror Kendall. She realised £1,740 to the same purchaser.

Section winning, top priced cow was owned by Messrs J. and J. Beavan of Winsbury, Chirbury with a Paw Ranger second calver, which sold at £1,500 to competition judge Mr Richard Bowdler.

"Even with the current zoning restrictions, which prevent many prospective purchasers from buying, cows still averaged £1,068 and heifers £1,254, a little below recent record levels but still an exceptionally buoyant trade," said auctioneer David Giles.

Picture: Bill Higgins Cup winner David Gethin (centre) with sponsor Bryan Challenor right, judge Richard Bowdler and the winning heifer.