The 2011 Blue Halter Sale may go down in history as one of the more exciting days in a sales series full of highlights and milestones for the Guernsey breed. 44 lots averaged $3,249, the second highest average ever in the sale series. More importantly, rather than an average that was dependent on a couple high sellers, the market for the quality calves that had been assembled was remarkably consistent, providing pleasing returns for a large number of consignors to the sale.

The top selling lot of the day was the first choice from 5 Mission daughters due in June from Cedar Fringed Altann, EX-95. Altann herself sold in the Blue Halter Sale as a bred heifer. This is the third time a maternal offspring has been the high selling individual in the Blue Halter Sale. Altann was Grand Champion at Madison and Harrisburg in 2000, made over 1,400F and 160,000M lifetime and has 5 sons on the Active AI list. She currently has 7 EX daughters, 4 of which have been Nominated All-American in milking form. Aaron Gable of Snider Homestead in New Enterprise, Penn., consigned the choice. It was purchased for $11,000 by David & Jason Henisee of Mt. Joy, Penn.

The top-selling live animal was a powerful Fall Yearling for the fall shows consigned by Maplehurst Farm of Lynden, Ontario. She is sired by Sniders Tiller Altnic and out of an EX-90 Magicman with over 23,000M and 950F. The next dam was a VG-85 Goliath w/100,000M, then a VG-86 Mercury backed by the well-known brood cow Laeschland TS Biddy, EX-94. David and Jason Henisee of Mt. Joy, Penn., and Green Slopes Farm of Imler, Penn., partnered to purchase her for $7,200.

In the box - Mike Weimer, Auctioneer (left) and David Smith, pedigrees.
(l-r) Autumn Henning, PA Guernsey Queen; Bella, Brad and Berneta Gable, consingors of the high selling choice; Jason and David Henisee, buyers; Jim Trotter, Sale Manager; Amy and Blair Gable, consignors.

The top selling live animal, an Altanic from the Biddy Family consigned by Maplehurst Farm.

The action gets off to a quick start as Alicia McDonald presents an animal in the ring and Jim Trotter finds a bidder.

Miserable described the weather outside on sale day, but things heated up quickly inside the sale ring.

Elsie Wolff and Kevin and Dina Stoltzfus of Warwick Manor Farm enjoy the sale.

David (front) and Jason Henisee purchased the top two lots of the day. They have made a significant investment in elite genetics this spring.

An enthuiastic crowd took in the sale. Dylan Miller and Sara Halferty are in the foreground.

March Calves!

Guernsey Gold Heifers - Can't Go Wrong With These Two!

Lot 3 & 4 - A Mission From EX-95 Altann Herself!

Heifers are in Age Order

Winter Calves

Lot 5 - Mentor from 5 VG or EX Dams

Lot 6 - 9 - Fancy and from Great Families

Lot 10 - C Lexus from a Blue Spruce!

Lot 11 & 12 - Blue Spruce!

Fall Calves

Lot 13 - Grumpy x VG-85 Lewis x VG-88 Regis

Lot 14 - Adacka from 4 VG or EX Dams - They Milk and Show

Lot 15 & 16 - Yogi & Legion - both from VG Dams

Lot 17 - 19 - Regis Fall Calf & A pair of Magicman Fall Yearlings from the same family.

Lot 20 - Yogi from 2 VG Dams

Lot 22 - Daunte x VG Hudson x 2 EX Dams

Summer Yearlings

Lot 21 - Bolero x VG Levi x VG Double L

Lot 23 - Alstar from 2 EX Dams!

Lot 24 - Pie sister to '09 & '10 Madison Junior Champion

Lot 25- Les from 8 VG or EX Dams

Lot 26 & 27 - Daunte & Magicman - both from 2 VG Dams

Lot 28 - Yogi x VG Challenge X EX-92 Show Cow