Pathway of Panda

International Interest at Pathway of Panda Sale

If anyone needed proof that Holsteins are addictive and that marketing works, Panda Holsteins put together a textbook example on July 1.

A packed ringside and spirited bidding marked the success of the Pathway of Panda Sale, hosted by father-and-daughter combination Andrew and Molly Westwood, of Panda Holsteins, Chulmleigh, Devon. A deep offering of elite genetics attracted strong domestic and international interest, reflecting the enduring quality and vision behind the Panda prefix.   Among the buyers was a former dairyman who dispersed his herd in 1998, a New Zealand buyer who signaled fresh buying power in the UK market, and a Gloucester farmer who had never bought registered cattle before today, and who took home five head.

While Panda has always been in the market to sell cattle from its high-end herd, it had never gone to public auction with the best it had to offer in a single day. It put up 70-head – of which 90% were Red & White Holstein or Red Carriers – with an average of 11 generations VG/EX, and +10 points of Conformation.

Topping the sale at 15,000gns  was the eye-catching Panda Christmas O’Kracker, a December 2023-born daughter of Blondin Alpha. This stylish heifer hails from the iconic O’Kalibra family, carefully developed at Panda Holstein. Her pedigree speaks volumes – her 5th dam is none other than the legendary Decrausaz Iron O’Kalibra EX97. After a flurry of bids, she was secured by Andrew Bailey, Lancaster who dispersed his herd in 1998 and confirmed that he will leave the heifer at Panda Holsteins, and is looking forward to following her progress at the premier boarding facility. He admitted that Red & White Holsteins continued to be an addiction which drew him like a moth to the flame.

New Zealanders Rob and Steph Trainer and Hennie and Kerrie Verwaayen, buying the second-top price was the culmination of a dream. Lot 17, Panda Hulu Hip Hop, a granddaughter of S-S-I Doc Have Not 8784 EX96, is the sole heifer in the world to combine +3000 TPI with +2PTAT, +2 Mammary, +2 Feet and Legs and +1 DPR. With AI interest across the globe, maternal brothers in AI, and future bull mother stamped all over her pedigree the Kiwis didn’t hold back – pushing through to 10,000gns.

There was also some more fresh blood in the mix with John Cookson and Pearl Trow buying five head to average £3339. The couple, from Gloucester, who manage a herd of 300-head, have never bought in the registered market before. Pearl said they were excited to see where the new venture took them both.

In all, 70 lots grossed £222,936 with the in-milk animals averaging £3911.25 and the 50 live lots averaging £3752.14 overall, underlining the high calibre and demand for the Panda Holstein genetics.

Molly Westwood said she was “over the moon” with the sale. “We couldn’t be more grateful or gratified, and we’d like to wish all purchasers the best of luck.”

Congratulations to all successful purchasers and to Molly Westwood for orchestrating a standout sale filled with promise and pedigree.

Leading Prices
LOT  25       15,000gns       PANDA CHRISTMAS O’KRACKER RED                              Andrew Bailey, Lancaster
LOT 17        10,000gns       PANDA HULU HIP HOP                                                         Trainor & H & K Verwaayen, NZL
LOT 28        6000gns           PANDA CHRISTMAS O’KAROL RC                                     CR & YS Bennett, Newton, Dorset
LOT 1           5800gns           PANDA AMBERLEY O’KALIBRA RE VG87                        Messrs Evans, Fox Farm, Shrewsbury
LOT 52        5800gns           PANDA BLACK IVY                                                                  Messrs Evans, Fox Farm, Shrewsbury
LOT 56        5000gns           PANDA IM A GEM RC                                                           Messrs Jones, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire
LOT 30        4800gns           PANDA MISS DIAMOND RD VG87-2YR                          Mycocks Agri Ltd, Buxton, Derbyshire,
LOT 41        4800gns           PANDA UNIQUE CHEERIO RED EX91                               Messrs Saunders, Cullompton, Devon
LOT 66        4800gns           PANDA O’KARAOKE RED                                                     Messrs Bennett, Newton, Dorset
LOT 67        4600gns           PANDA LEEDHAM O’KAZOO RC                                        Holehouse Farms, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire

Sale averages:
13 Cows & Heifers in Milk £3911.25
4 in-calf heifers £3832.50
20 yearling heifers £3953.25
12 heifer calves £3377.50
1 bull sold for £1470
1 IVF session £3360
35 embryos £558.60
20 doses of semen £89.25/straw.