THE forthcoming Dungannon Dairy Sale offers Holstein enthusiasts a unique opportunity to acquire heifer calves from the Smith family’s noted Prehen Herd in County Londonderry.
Selling at Dungannon on Thursday, April 20, are an extra special group of 12 young heifer calves from top cow families. They were born between the end of August and end of November 2022.
Stuart Smith said: “We are offering a consignment of heifer calves from our renowned Froukje, Saskia, Heather and Massia cow families, all of which have sold numerous bulls to pedigree and commercial breeders and AI studs throughout the years.
“This is the first time we have offered a selection of females from these proven and successful cow family lines at public auction. We have only ever sold a few privately, with the exception of Prehen Mascol Froukje 2 PI ET *TV sold for 5800gns at the Causeway Classic Sale at Balmoral in August 2010.”
The Prehen consignment includes eight calves from the renowned Froukje family. This family is the backbone of the herd, and started with the matriarch, Prehen Goldwyn Froukje, who bred two No.1 GPLI cows, and the former No.1 UK proven bull Prehen Omen. She was nominated for Global Cow of the Year in 2019.
There are over 300 females registered under the Prehen Froukje name, with the Goldwyn Froukje having gained 58 Star Brood Status, with many of her daughters following suit.
One of the calves offered for sale is Prehen Hercules Froukje 3. Her dam has 11 Stars, her Granddam 22 Stars, and then follows the Goldwyn Froukje with 58 Stars.
Another two special calves selling are granddaughters from probably the best Goldwyn Froukje daughter, Prehen AltaBarney Froukje EX90, a former No.1 Genomic Cow in the UK. Components and health traits are the real strong points of this family, with the dams of the calves on offer currently doing up to 5.41 per cent butterfat and 3.95 per cent protein.
Also catalogued for next week’s Dungannon Dairy Sale are two calves from the Saskia family, and one each from the Heather and Massia cow families.
The calves featured in the catalogue are sired by Hercules, Citizen, Elevated Red, Aladdin, Wheelhouse and Elver-P.
Photographs and more information about the calves will be posted on the Prehen Holsteins Facebook in the coming days.
The Prehen Herd is also offering four bulls fit for service. They boast high PLI values to £781, and are sired by Alta Zazzle, Citizen and Avery, and are bred from dams producing up to 5.30 per cent butterfat and 3.78 per cent protein.
Further details from Taaffe Auctions on 00353 41 9881288, or Stuart Smith on 07799 605798.
View the catalogue online at www.taaffeauctions.com
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