Following a successful 2017 auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary at Sedgemoor Auction Centre this year, are starting 2018 with two excellent dairy sales.

The first  - a 500 head dispersal of cows and Yyungstock from Tiverton took place on Tuesday, (16th January) while the second, the ever-popular monthly dairy sale - “The Annual Winter Warmer” takes place on Tuesday, January 23, featuring no less than 120 pedigree Holstein freshly calved cows and heifers with individuals giving daily milk yields of almost 70kgs!, plus a large entry of incalf heifers and followers.

Industry morale hit a low at the end of 2017 with the announcement of a drop in some farmgate milk prices.  As we look forward to 2018 we have not to date seen as many sales as forecast coming to fruition with some herds waiting for clear TB tests reports auctioneer and valuer Andy Clements. He added that the mass exodus from dairy predicted by some commentators had not happened either.

He continued: “With TB sadly still taking a considerable number of dairy cattle out of production the demand for replacements remains good, but with a selective trade seeing high yielding, strong cattle achieving the best prices.  Notably we are seeing health statuses having an increasing impact on trade with people trying to take the least amount of risk when sourcing replacements.

“The changes to the TB licencing applications is also making the purchases of cattle for those under restriction harder with a shorter length of licence plus additional requirements to include a bio-security plan. The trading of restricted stock is also being made incredibly difficult by the ever-increasing hoops that have to be jumped successfully through before permission is given.”

If you are looking for dairy cattle replacements and would like some advice call Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s specialist dairy department on 01278 410250.