Ortongrange Reduction Sale

Top Pledge from Orton Grange

The Ortongrange herd owned by the Martin family from Orton Grange farm near Carlisle sold their entire milking portion along with all the young stock that were up to a year old.  Known for their willingness to always sell their best the sale attracted buyers from across the UK with animals dispersed as far south as Cornwall and large numbers going to Wales and Scotland.   Milking heifers topped at 4,500gns to average £2604 and in calf heifers and bulling heifers were in demand topping at 3,600gns to average over £2000.

Important Charity Contribution

One of the most important lots in the sale was a charity lot donated by the Swainson family from Moor Park Farm near Carlisle.  They had kindly donated one of their very best Norwegian Red milking heifers from their much-admired herd with all the processed going to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.  This special heifer sold for 4,500gns and was purchased by the Messenger family from The Howes farm near Penrith.  In addition to the funds raised through the sale of this animal Richard Martin donated the average price from the Orton Grange sale and all the advertising revenue from the business who advertised in the Orton Grange catalogue was also donated to the fund.  In total over £9000 was raised for this important charity!

Leading Ladies at Orton Grange

Topping at 4,500gns was a Parfect daughter who was bought by Mr Coulthurst from near Preston.  She was bred from an exceptional line going back to Ortongrange Snowman Alysia who sold for 10,000gns in the Passion for Pedigree sale back in 2016 after winning All Britian Junior 2 year old in 2014.   

Prolific cow families packed the catalogue from start to finish and selling for 4,300gns was Ortongrange Capone Pledge who was bought by Mr Robinson from Northumberland.  She was recently fresh and bred from an Excellent 93 Casper dam, her fourth dam was ALH Polly followed by the two All American winning cows from Windy-Knoll-View none other than Pledge and Promis.

The best cow in the sale was bred from the Flo family with her fourth dam being the 2010 National Champion Berryholme Shottle Flo.  Ortongrange Logistics Flo sold for 4,200gns to going to Mr Morgan in West Wales.  

In calf heifers due in the next few months sold well averaging close to £2500 and topped at 3,600gns for a daughter of Elevated Red.  She was bred from the famous Golden-Rose Goldrush line of the Rosa cow family and is bred from twenty two generations of Excellent or Very Good dams going back to Audrey Posh. She was bought by Mr Coulthurst from near Preston

Wagyu Attracts International Interest

For the first time at Borderway full blood Wagyu cattle were offered for sale in the ring as a special feature in the Orton Grange sale.  This unique offering comprised several working age bulls and some well bred females with calves at foot. 

Wagyu is the collective name for the four principal Japanese breeds of beef cattle.  Wagyu cattle originate from early twentieth-century cross-breeding between native Japanese cattle and imported European breeds. 

Topping at 5,500gns was Ortongrange Tsuyoi a two year old bull sired by Arubial Anticipated.  He was bought by the Messenger family from The Howes farm near Penrith.

The Martin family would like to thank everyone who supported and purchased cattle from their special reduction sale and would like to wish everyone much success with their Ortongrange cattle. 

Our next dairy sale at Borderway takes place on Wednesday 3^rd December and features 500 dairy cattle in the December Borderway Monthly dairy Day sale.  On Saturday 6^th December the 39^th edition of the Black & White sale takes place at Borderway.   Catalogues for these sales can be viewed online at www.harrisonandhetherington.com or can be ordered from the Pedigree Office 01228406230.

Leading Prices
Lot         Gns                       Buyer
127        4500gns              Messrs Coulthurst, Goosnargh, Near Preston
165        4300gns              Messrs Robinson & Son, Humshaugh, Hexham, Northumberland
10           4200gns              Messrs Messenger, Calthwaite, Penrith, Cumbria
96           4200gns              Messrs Morgan, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion
173        4000gns              Messrs Coulthurst, Goosnargh, Near Preston
64           3800gns              Messrs Howie, Kirkcolm, Stranraer
103        3800gns              Messrs Hunter & Co, Maybole, Ayrshire
104        3700gns              Messrs Hunter & Co, Maybole, Ayrshire
54           3600gns              Messrs Morgan, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion
87           3600gns              Messrs Jackson & Partners, Torthorwald, Dumfries
107        3600gns              Messrs Coulthurst, Goosnargh, Near Preston
137        3600gns              Newhouse Farming Ltd, Dumfries.  Dumfriesshire
148a     3600gns              Messrs Coulthurst, Goosnargh, Near Preston
167        3600gns              Messrs Evans, Oswestry, Shropshire
168        3600gns              Messrs Whitfield Ltd, Wigton, Cumbria
174        3600gns              Messrs Coulthurst, Goosnargh, Near Preston

Wagyu
3             5500gns              Messrs Messenger, Calthwaite, Penrith, Cumbria
7             3500gns              Messrs Swainson, Thursby, Carlisle

Holstein Averages
148 Cows & Heifers in Milk        £2259.13
92 Cows in Milk                               £2071.50
56 Heifers in Milk                            £2604.37
52 In Calf & Short Bred Heifers £2033.36
31 Bulling Heifers                           £1552.98

Wagyu

3 Bulls                                             £4165.00
3 Cows & heifers                             £3255.00
4 F1 Cross heifers                           £2415.00