A RECORD entry of 558 head helped ensure Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Junction 24, North Petherton, enjoyed its best ever collective sale.

Long-serving auctioneer Derek Biss said: “It was probably one of the best experiences I have had selling dairy cows in nearly 40 years.”

The comprehensive sale had week-old calves up to cows in their sixth lactation – and the trade was on fire with 51 buyers from all over England and Wales ensuring an electric atmosphere.

The exceptional fresh milk trade seen at this year's monthly collective sales continued with 30 selling for over £2,500 to a top of £3,150 for Roland & Simon Buglers second lactation cow Bettiscombe Dynamo Pruscilla.

Others from Bettiscombe were £2,940 Supersire Jane 4th, with Rea & Son's Clenchers Solito Cam Red VG85 at £3,097.50 and Ledbury Carter Balise GP82 at £2,887.50.

The collective calved heifers topped at £3,045 for Bettiscombe being Duke Neta and Alcove Emerald 208th - the 15 cows and heifers consigned by Roland & Simon Bugler averaged an impressive £2,733.50.

Other calved heifers sold to £2,940 for JG Morgan Treetop Undenied Adrienne and £2,835 for the commercial September calved heifer by Bomaz Luxor with a PLI of £403 for TC Cox of Puddletown.

First time consigners MWJ & SJ Gould of Exeter sold cows to £2,782.50 and their eight commercial cows from second to fourth lactation averaged £2,513 and three calved heifers £2,362.50.

The continued dispersal for Derek & Jeremy Dennis's Dinnaton herd produced heifers to 2,650gns for the Pleasure Lambda Noreen and CJ Clarke & Son's commercial dispersal produced third lactation cows to £2,205 and £2,100.

A smaller entry of in-calf heifers sold to 2,050gns, 2,020gns and 2,000gns for MB & LC Haskell's final consignment of the year.

First time consigners RTJ Voizey of Yeovil had in-calf Fleckvie heifers at 2,050gns, 2,020gns, 2,000gns x 4 from their Dancing Hill herd.

The youngstock dispersal for CRJ & JA Bishop saw November born heifers to 1000gns x2 for members of the Clover and Moth families by Dreambig. January born heifers to 680gns for JAW Bendall & Son's Pensdown herd and February born heifers from MJ & YL Burrows Riverwood herd sold to 650gns for the Amulet Plum 2nd.

The next monthly collective sale takes place at Sedgemoor Auction Centre on Thursday, November 17. For more information please ring 01278 410250.