HARRISON & Hetherington have just announced the date of the largest UK show and sale of pedigree Holstein Friesian Bulls.

Taking place on Wednesday at Borderway Mart, the sale comprises 73 Holstein and seven British Friesian bulls, including seven special red-and-whites.

This is the best offering of dairy bulls in the UK and gives milk producers an excellent choice with top quality entries coming from many of the best UK herds.

Top Holstein Sires are represented in the sale and include the sons of Mogul, Supersire, Doorman, Explode, Planet, Numero Uno, Observer, Massey, Mincio, Cashmoney, Galaxy, Bradnick, Dude, Windbrook, Fever and Atwood. Red sires include Sympatico, Armani, Ladd-P, Alchemy and Chipper.

These sires dominate the Holstein world for their ability to transmit highly-productive progeny with incredible productive lives, excellent components and high fertility.

Some of the cow families included in the sale are Lila Z, Pledge, Ruby, Roxy, Fran, Marie, Fay, Hope, Rosina, Amy, Pamela, Ruth, Ambrosia, Sara, Lucy, Stella and Adrienne families.

Harrison and Hetherington senior dairy auctioneer Glyn Lucas said: “Since we launched this spring sale in 2003, it has gone from strength to strength, and it is now recognised as the leading UK Holstein Friesian bull sale in the dairy industry’s calendar.

"It is specifically scheduled at a time of year when farmers are turning their animals out to grass.

“With the current challenging times for dairy farmers, we believe we will see an increase in demand at the sale. Investing in a bull is a great way to face these challenges. It reduces labour costs and also the cost of semen for Artificial Insemination (AI).

"It is a very cost-effective way of cutting costs, being a great alternative to AI, especially considering the fantastic genetics we have on offer.”

The prefixes representing the British Friesian sires include Winnoch Olympian, Culverness Wallace, Lismulligan Mufasa, College Hereward and Blackisle Benloyal.

All the bulls have been tested free of BVD and vaccinated. The show starts at 9.30am and the sale at 11.30 am. A full catalogue of entries can be found on harrisonandhetherington.co.uk.