THE UK’s largest spring show and sale of Holstein Friesian bulls takes place in Cumbria next Wednesday, giving buyers chance to access the finest bloodlines available.

Farmers from around the country are expected to attend the event at Borderway in Carlisle, where 61 Holstein and eight British Friesian bulls, including four special ‘red and whites’ will be auctioned.

The sale and show – billed as ‘the best offering of dairy bulls in the UK’ – is being held by Harrison & Hetherington in conjunction with the Border and Lakeland Holstein Breeders’ Club.

Consigners from Cumbria include H Wright & Son of Kendal, prefix Berryholme; RH Carter of Wigton, prefix Gerrard; M Wilson of Appleby, prefix Hailstone; T Graham & Son of Carlisle, prefix Heathersgill; S & A Morley of Carlisle, prefix Petteril; Messrs Ramsay of Wigton, prefix Dockray Hall; Mr D Robinson of Cockermouth, prefix Kellywell; G & M Rudd of Wigton, prefix Jenkin; Messrs Fisher of Penrith, prefix Whispering Springs; Messrs M Armstrong of Penrith, prefix Wolfa; D R & H M Horsley of Penrith, prefix Woodcatt; and Messrs H & M D Hodgson of Carlisle, prefix Wormanby herds Sons from the breed’s leading Holstein sires feature in the sale and include: Epic, Sudan, Meridian, Artes, End-Story, Windbrook, Guthrie, Numero Uno, Van Gogh, Zelgadis, Wyman, Gerard, Braxton, Fever, Lauthority and Ladd P-Red.

In addition there will also be the British Friesian Sires Winnoch Umpire, Lismulligan Mufasa and Stardingham Boy.

The cow families included in this sale are said to dominate the Holstein world for their ability to transmit highly productive progeny with ‘outstanding health traits, incredible lifetime production, high butterfat and protein’.

Glyn Lucas, Harrison & Hetherington’s senior pedigree dairy auctioneer, said: “This is a very high quality sale providing a unique opportunity to select bloodlines from the UK’s greatest cow families. There are animals suitable for all markets.”