7 days ago
in Calf Heifer Sells for 12000gns at Greenlea Open Day Sale
The Greenlea open day sale, held in conjunction with the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) Open Day on Thursday July 10 2025 in front of a large crowd, proved to be a major success.
Padraic Greenan and his family, who are milking 100 cows in Co. Monaghan, were the winners of the 2024 National Herds Competition (Over 80 Cows Section) on their first attempt.
They are also proud owners of Greenlea MG Rhapsody EX96, who won the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow in 2024.
Their exceptional Greenlea Holsteins' milk yield sits at 10,091kg of milk/cow with 4.15% fat, and 3.29% protein, accumulating to 738kg of milk solids/cow. The conformation average of the herd is 86.2.
Topping the trade on the day was 12,000gns paid for lot 9, Greenlea Lambda Rhapsody 2064, which was purchased by John Coakley, Dunboyne, Co. Meath.
This heifer sold in-calf to Kings-Ransom Dropbox and is due in February 2026.
Sired by Farnear Delta-Lambda, her 14thgeneration (EX) dam, Greenlea MG Rhapsody (EX96-4E) was the winner of the prestigious Baileys All-Ireland Champion Cow award at the 2024 Virginia Show.
The second highest price on the day was 6,900gns paid for lot 12, Greenlea Lambda Apple 1980, purchased by a Co. Monaghan breeder.
Lot 12 - Greenlea Lambda Apple. Image: Mathias Penn
Sired by Farnear Delta-Lambda, this heifer that sold on the day is due to calve in December to Melarry Fuel and is bred from the renowned 'Apple' cow family with 12 generations of VG/EX dams backing her up.
Two further lots sold at 6,800gns with lot 20 being another member of the herd's famous Rhapsody cow family. This heifer, Greenlea Holysmoke Rhapsody is due to calve in December to DG NH Arrow.
This heifer was also backed by 16 generations of VG/EX cows and was purchased by a Co. Louth breeder.
Also selling at 6,800gns was lot 24, Greenlea Haniko Katrysha, a January-2025-born heifer who is sired by Siemers Lambda Haniko and backed by nine generations of VG/EX dams.
Lot 24 - Greenlea Haniko Katrysha. Source: Mathias Penn
This heifer's great grand dam is Lovhill Goldwyn Katrysha (EX96-USA), who was champion at World Dairy Expo & All-American 2015. This lot was purchased by a Co. Roscommon breeder.
In total, seven lots sold for over 6,000gns, with buyers from all parts of Ireland buying, stretching from Co. Antrim to Co. Kerry.
Nine autumn-calving in-calf heifers came through the ring and averaged a price of 4,922gns, while 12 spring-calving in-calf heifers averaged a price of 4,258gns.
Seven autumn-born heifer calves averaged 4,085gns and 20 spring-born heifer calves averaged 3,870gns.
Overall 38 lots averaged 4,195gns with a 100% clearance achieved on the day. Michael Taaffe was on the hammer on the day and the sale was conducted by Taaffe Auctions Ltd.
