A BREED record was set at International Dairy Week yesterday when a Guernsey heifer was sold to an overseas buyer for $16,000.
Kearla Latimer Koala was the pick of a pair offered by Kevin and Carla Gass, of Simpson, Victoria, with the winning bid eventually made by a representative for Mansour Al Dhaheri, of the United Arab Emirates.
The price is the highest paid for an unjoined Guernsey heifer, surpassing the previous record of $7800.
Kearla Latimer Koala, who is by Coulee Crest Fame Latimer and out of Global Guernsey of the Year Florando SD Koala 7th EX94, was purchased by phone by Trevor Robbins of Australia’s Livestock Exporters in Dubai with David Ninness, of Semex, making the bids at the sale.
Mr Robbins said the heifer would remain in Australia “for some time” with embryo transfer to be done before travelling to the UAE.
Mr Al Dhaheri also picked up another heifer — West Australian Colin Gilbert’s Gilbert Alstar Hetty — for $5700.
Mr Gilbert had several lots on offer with one, Gilbert Sigrid 20, matching the previous record for an unjoined Guernsey heifer sold in Australia at $7800, the second highest winning bid for the sale.
The heifer was bought by G Norris and United Kingdom Guernsey Cattle.
He sold another, Gilbert Tori, for $4800 to R and R Butler, of Glencoe.
Allan and Julie Clark, of Lismore, NSW, sold the first lot — Sunny Valley Latimer Bess — for $5000 to Martin Downs, of Numbaa.
Other buyers came from Taree, Moama, Finley and Dorrigo.
The sale average set another breed record with 10 live lots selling for $5630.
