Complete Dispersal
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Complete Dispersal Thursday 3 rd September 2020 10.30am at Ivy House Farm, SY4 5XA Lot 64: Knowlesmere Atwood Chic VG89 (Max) EX90 M/S Lot 127: Knowlesmere Sol Diamond VG87 2 Year Old IVY HOUSE FARM, WESTON UNDER REDCASTLE, SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE, SY4 5XA __________________________________________________________ CATALOGUE of the entire prizewinning KNOWLESMERE Herd Of 340 pedigree HOLSTEIN Cattle the property of MESSRS A & J.WHITTAKER For sale by auction On THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3RD 2020 10.30 am At IVY HOUSE FARM, WESTON UNDER REDCASTLE, 10 miles from Shrewsbury It is 10 miles from Whitchurch and 7 from Market Drayton. It on the edge of the village of Weston, 400 yds from the A49 Shrewsbury-Whitchurch road. Signs will be posted locally. Auctioneers PARK FARM, RASKELF, NORTH YORKSHIRE. YO61 3LS email: [email protected] www.nortonandbrooksbank.com Contact details: see page 7 Auctioneers: Mark Lee 07980 924179 Christopher Norton 07836 592500 Tom Brooksbank 07836 592501 Simon Lamb 07815 188125 Guest Auctioneer: Jonny Dymond 07803 412617 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE BRING THIS CATALOGUE TO THE SALE 1 FOREWORD Andrew & Jane Whittaker have made the decision to cease milk production and sell the entire KNOWLESMERE herd and as a result this catalogue is one of the most exciting dispersal sale publications to be issued for some while. A herd with as many prizewinners in it as this seldom comes on to the market, and the quality of the cattle on offer is such that it must have huge appeal to breeders, while there are plenty of animals to suit more strictly commercially minded producers. The catalogue tells its own tale in terms of pedigrees, production and show awards, and many outstanding cow families have been developed. Of particular note are the Abrakaboom, Chancel, Diamond, Dream, Elegance, Papoose, Promise and Starlight families, all of which are well represented in the sale, many being individuals of the highest calibre. A measure of the quality of the sale cows is that 16 are classified Excellent, 71 Very Good and 24 Good Plus. The majority are young cows and milking heifers, several of which have yet to see the classifier although another visit is due before the sale. Andy and Jane have detailed the superb record of the herd in All Britain Competitions in recent years in their foreword below, and the young stock, numbering nearly 200 head are quite outstanding and will surely contain many high class animals of the future. Andy and Jane's daughter Izzy and her husband Gary Jones are shortly to relocate to Ireland, and therefore all their animals under the JONES prefix are to be sold and they contain some exceptionally exciting pedigrees. Michael Whittaker is also dispersing his Daredevil prefix James Doherty has been in charge of the herd management recently and he and Stephanie are retaining the animals with their Firstlook prefix. Top contemporary sires have been used in the breeding policy, with cows for sale by Atwood, Beemer, Cinderdoor, Doorman, Fitz, Goldwyn, High Octane, Impression, Solomon and Unix, and young stock by some of the aforementioned and Apple-Crisp, Chief, Crushabull, Denver, Lambda, MVP, Pepper and Silver. The production is extremely impressive as can be seen from the many good printed yields. The herd has recently been on a whitewater milk contract with no regard for the milk quality, but it is certain that a different feeding regime would correct this, as can be seen from the historical yields in the catalogue. Please see the comments from the herd's vet and nutritionist printed below. Both pedigree enthusiasts and producers looking for autumn milk (nearly 100 due between now and Christmas) are urged to be present for this tremendously prestigious sale. PHOTOGRAPHS The photographs used in this catalogue are credited to the following photographers: JOHN ERBSEN SHEILA METCALFE CYBIL FISHER P. RESTALLI VICKI FLETCHER CARL SAUCIER HAN HOPMAN JANE STEEL PATTY JONES JENNY THOMAS 2 VENDORS’ FOREWORD It's been one hell of a ride - starting with no pedigree stock, to representing the UK twice in Colmar and Libramont. We have put our heart and soul into Knowlesmere. It's been our work, rest and play since Andy and I got married; with many friendships made along that journey. Starting with showing a calf and dry cow with the children at a Saturday local show for a day out, escalated into becoming an all-consuming passion, with the children taking it all the way to the top. Since 2006 we've had 43 All Britain nominations, 11 All Britain Champions, All-Britain Champion Calf and in 2016 we had the National Holstein Champion, National Red & White Champion and we also won the Club Group of 4 with 4 Knowlesmere cows for Shropshire at Dairy Day. We are so proud of all our family's achievements and the adults that they have become, but the time has come for the family farm to change direction. Our thanks for helping us on this journey must go to herdsman of 35 years David Boswell who stayed at home when we were at the shows - whom we trusted completely. To Ray Brown "Bidlea", a renowned local pedigree breeder who encouraged us on our first big purchase with a half share in the "Papoose" family. Dave Hastings "Painley" who took us under his wing; we sent cattle to shows with him and the children when there was work to do at home. I know the girls looked forward to the week at the Royal Welsh and other long shows. There are really so many people who have helped us, but Jane Arrell has been a great support through the decades. Our nutritionist Nick Johns has provided very sound advice to help keep costs under control. I know the cows can perform at all levels and can be fed accordingly to suit whatever milk contract you have. The herd has been managed recently by Steph's husband James who has done a tremendous job in keeping herd averages up, fertility, DIMs - all of which are along very commercial lines to suit our white water milk contract. Izzy's husband Gary has also, when not at shows, always been here helping out. He has also been responsible for developing our show programme and helping us realise our potential. From commercial to elite show cattle - there really is something for everyone. It will be our saddest day to see them sold, but it's your chance to buy our past show teams, present and future teams and the ones that aren't born yet! Andy & Jane Whittaker SEMEX will award a £100 Semen Voucher to THE PERSON PURCHASING THE HIGHEST PRICED LOT THE PERSON WHO SPENDS THE MOST MONEY IN THE SALE 3 HERD HEALTH I have been extremely fortunate to be one of the vets in care of Knowlesmere Holsteins for nearly 20 years. The vast showring successes over the last few decades speaks volumes about the quality of stock within this herd. Not only have they bred top class show stock, but also any surplus stock sold privately or at local markets have performed well with lots of pleased purchasers regularly coming back for more. To achieve this level of success and quality of herd requires constant dedication and an attention to detail of stockmanship that is not common. The whole team, Andrew, Jane, Izzy, Steph, Michael and now including Gary and James show an unceasing commitment to their stock in pursuit of excellence not only for the showring but also with regard to milk production, fertility and every day management aspects. The depth of breeding and fabulous cow families will be there for all to see come September 3rd. The herd is currently selling 35.2L/cow/day of milk on twice a day milking at 3.96 % BF, 3.21% protein and BMSCC 136. Pregnancy rates in 2020 are currently averaging around 25%. They have been BVD tag and testing female calves for four years and every calf for nearly one year. No positive BVD antigen results have ever been found. Bulk milk tank BVD virus PCR is negative, last test 28th July 2020. The herd is officially BVD free as part of BVD free England. The adult milking herd plus dry cows and all in calf heifers were vaccinated with Bovella BVD in October 2019 . All maiden heifers are vaccinated with bovella BVD pre service. The adult herd and in calf heifers receive 6 monthly Bovilis IBR Marker live. They were last vaccinated on the 25th March 2020. There is currently no evidence of leptospirosis within the herd, having had negative bulk tank leptospirosis antibodies for many years. Last negative test taken 28th July 2020. The latest quarterly Johnes individual milk test indicates no red positives within the herd. There are also no known positive Neospora Caninuum females within the herd. There have been no confirmed TB cases within the herd since 2012. A clear premovement TB test was achieved on 10th August 2020. I am obviously disappointed to see this herd disperse however it is an excellent opportunity to purchase new and top families as well as cows that will fit into any system and add value. Finally, I would like to thank the Whittaker family for allowing me to have been a small part of their journey as well as congratulating and wishing luck to all the purchasers. You will not be disappointed. Rob George Nantwich Farm Vets 4 LEADINLEADINGNG INDEPENDENT FARMA M VETERVVETERIVETE INARY PRRACTICE •om C prehensive herd heealth planning • TTrr ainning workshops • Pr ofeessional vet tech sere vice • Besppoke data analysis • 17 farrm only vets •o Covering Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and into North Wales Feeding the Knowlesmere Herd Many people ask me what 'special ingredients' do they use at Knowlesmere to feed such incredible cows? The answer is they don't! I have had the pleasure of being involved with feeding the cows at Ivy House Farm for the last 15 years, first working for a local feed business and then as an independent nutritionist.