Sale of Stars - Thursday November 10, 5:00 PM

The 2009 Sale of Stars to be managed by Greaves, Lalande & Johnston Inc. at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair!

Toronto – May 11, 2009. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association is proud to announce that Greaves, Lalande & Johnston Inc. will be managing the 2009 Sale of Stars on Thursday, November 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Ring of Excellence at Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON.

The Royal’s mandate is to create a marketing venue for Canadian agriculture producers, providing facilities in the City of Toronto to showcase Canadian livestock genetics and agriculture products to an international and domestic audience.

“The Royal strives to co-host a dairy cattle show that provides a platform for Canadian bovine breeders to promote their elite genetics to an international and domestic market. By awarding the management contract to Greaves, Lalande & Johnston Inc., we feel we will fulfill our mandate and will continue to successfully co-produce one of the greatest sales in Canada” says Bill Duron, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair CEO.

Greaves, Lalande & Johnston Inc. is a newly founded management group comprised of three partners who have a proven track record facilitating the sales of Canada’s elite bovine genetics.

Paul Greaves has over twenty years of management experience in the livestock genetics industry. His company, Greaveston Genetics Inc., has established itself as a world player having marketed and exported embryos and livestock from across Canada and the U.S. to 17 countries. A respected professional, Paul’s experience marketing elite genetics has allowed him to develop a wide network of domestic and international partners and contacts.

Simon Lalande, owner of Ferme Blondin, has had many achievements in the show ring. Simon, with Pierre Boulet, has won five Premier Exhibitor awards at The Royal; he bred Blondin Lyster Beauty, the 2007 Royal Intermediate Champion and Honorable Mention Grand Champion; and he is the owner of six 2008 All-Canadian Nominations, three of which are homebred. An experienced marketer, Simon has successfully managed and co-managed four sales in the past was also the recipient of a Master Breeder award in 2002.

Donald Johnston owns and operates Cherry Crest Holsteins together with his wife, Nancy Beerwort. Cherry Crest has won two Master Breeder Awards and Don has managed four successful herd sales. Don has been heavily involved with The Royal; judging the National Holstein Show in 1994 as well as having purchased and sold cattle at the Sale of Stars on numerous occasions. A trusted cow-man, Don has also read pedigrees at many elite auctions and herd dispersals, including the Sale of Stars.

The Royal is confident the new Sale of Stars management group will preserve and maintain the legendary excitement of the sale as the ‘best of the best’ take stage in November! The Royal management looks forward to working with Paul, Simon and Don as we continue to host this world renowned sale.

The Royal would like to thank the staff at Semex Alliance for managing the most prestigious Dairy Cattle Sale in Canada for the past four years. Semex Alliance succeeded in fulfilling their mission by making this sale series the location for elite Canadian genetics. The 2008 Sale of Stars was the third highest grossing sale in North America.

2008 SALE OF STARS

The Semex Alliance was proud to once again manage the Sale of Stars at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. In it's 56th year, this internationally famous sale series was held Thursday, November 13 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the Ring of Excellence.

The Ring of Excellence was overflowing with dairy cattle enthuisiasts as more than 2,000 spectators watched as Semex presented the very finest Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire and Brown Swiss individuals available.

Holstein Edition of Sale of Stars

Held immediately following the Component Breed Edition of the Sale of Stars, the Holstein Sale did not disappoint the thousands of spectators anxiously awaiting as the reigning World Dairy Expo Supreme Champion, Thrulane James Rose EX-97, took to the sale runway. As the crowd hushed and camera lights flashed, Rose's choice of daughters by Talent and Dundee sold for an impressive $36,000 to Richard Jordan of Boise, Idaho, USA. Rose set the pace for the evening as the next 25 lots averaged well over $40,000, contributing to the final average of $27,734 and surpassing the 2007 average of $25,667.31.

"The breeders we work with have always offered us their very best," says Julien Chabot, Semex Alliance Sire Analyst & Sale Co-Chair. "The 2008 edition was no exception, and the sale's success is due to the tremendous support we get from the consignors, buyers and sales staff. Congratulations to all and best wishes to the successful purchasers on their new animals."

Embryo Edition of Sale of Stars

Bidding continued the next day following the naming of Thrulane James Rose as Grand Champion of the Holstein Show. The anticipation grew and the crowd gathered as auctioneer Brent Walker of Guelph, Ontario called for additional bids, closing each lot one by one. When the final lot fell the average reached a new high for this sale series of $3,026.92 per embryo.

Highlights of the Embryo Sale:

2008 Component Sale of Stars

The Semex Alliance was proud to once again manage the 2008 Sale of Stars, Component Breed Edition headed by Sale Manager Gary Bowers, along with representatives from each Canadian breed association including, Yves Charpentier & Linda Ness from the Canadian Ayrshire Association, Jessie Weir from the Canadian Brown Swiss Braunvieh Association, Mario Seguin from CIAQ and Russell Gammon and his staff from Jersey Canada.

Featuring the finest Jersey, Ayrshire and Brown Swiss genetics, the 2008 Component Breed Sale of Stars was held immediately following the conclusion of the two Holstein heifer classes in the Ring of Excellence.

2007 Holstein Edition of the Sale of Stars

The 55th edition of this highly renowned sale series, the Holstein Sale of Stars, was held on Thursday, November 8, immediately following
the Component Breed Edition of the Sale of Stars at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the Ring of Excellence.

The Ring of Excellence was overflowing with dairy cattle enthuisiasts as more than 2,000 spectators watched as Semex presented one of the finest groups of Holstein cattle assembled anywhere to sell for a record breaking $25,667.31 on 51 lots, making it the third highest averaging consignment sale of all time.

Highlights of the evening include:

"We were all humbled by the consignments we were offered," says Julien Chabot, Semex Alliance Sire Analyst & Sale Co-Chair. "This sale's success is a reflection of the strong genetics we have available and their extreme value on the open market. Thank you to all of our consignors and successful purchasers... certainly this sale's success is really their success."

The next day, bidding continued on the Holstein Embryo Sale and concluded the following day. The anticipation grew and the crowd gathered as auctioneer Brent Walker of Guelph, Ontario called for additional bids, closing each lot one by one.

Highlights of the Embryo Sale:

The Semex Alliance was proud to once again manage the 2007 Sale of Stars, Component Breed Edition headed by Sale Manager Gary Bowers and Semex Sire Analyst Patrice Simard, along with representatives from each breed association including, Yves Charpentier from the Canadian Ayrshire Association, Jessie Weir from the Canadian Brown Swiss & Braunvieh Association and Russell Gammon and his staff from Jersey Canada.

The 2007 Sale of Stars, Component Breed Edition was held Thursday, November 8 at 5:00 p.m. at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the Ring of Excellence. It featured the finest Jersey, Ayrshire and Brown Swiss genetics available today.

Highlights Include:

Jersey Sale (no embryos):
Average: $8,747.37

Jersey Embryos:
Average: $700/embryo
High Seller: Lot 12: 5 Amedeo Embryos x Huronia Connection Velvet at $850/embryo
Buyer: Peter Baelum, Denmark
Consignor: Friends of Velvet, Rosedale, British Columbia, Canada

Ayrshire Sale:
Average: $ $7,167.19 on 7 lots
High Seller: Lot 1: Elegance Jerry Athena (Kildare Jerry x Ross BB Kellogg Andrea) at $20,000
Buyer: Robert Tolhurst & Bospre Ayrshires, Vankleek Hill, Ontario, Canada
Consignor: Ferme Elegance, St-Gervais, Quebec, Canada

Brown Swiss Sale:
Average: $5,200 on 1 lot
High Seller: Lot 10: Morsan Eskimo Courtney (Eskimo x Poplar Oak Courtney) at $5,200
Buyer: Robert M Donaldson, Abbottsford, BC, Canada
Consignor: Morsan Farms Ltd, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada
1 Embryo Lot sold for $975/embryo to Ernst Gubelmann of Walton, Ontario, Canada.

June 11, 2007
The Semex Alliance is proud to announce that it will once again be managing the Sale of Stars in 2007. The 55th edition of this highly renowned sale series will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2007 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the Sale of Stars Component Breed Edition. Immediately following will be the Sale of Stars Holstein Edition, with both sales held at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the Ring of Excellence. Additionally, the Sale of Stars Embryo Auction will take place beginning Thursday, November 8 at 9:00 a.m. and closing on Friday, November 9 at 2:00 p.m.

"The Semex Alliance is very pleased to once again have this great opportunity,” says Julien Chabot, Semex Alliance Sire Analyst and Sale of Stars Chairman. “Last year we added the successful Component Breed Edition of the Sale of Stars, and we have been honoured to manage the Holstein Sale of Stars for the past two years. Daughters from these sales have gone on to be show winners, bull mothers, embryo donors and more for their new owners. The 2007 lineup promises to be just as exciting!”

2006 SALE OF STARS

The 54th edition of this highly renowned sale series, the Sale of Stars, was held on Friday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m., immediately following the National Holstein Heifer Show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the Ring of Excellence.

Once again, the Royal's Ring of Excellence was filled to capacity as more than 2,000 spectators gathered to watch some of the finest Holsteins anywhere sell for a phenomenal average of $19,765.08 on 63 lots!

Highlights of the evening include:

• Lot #1 Quality Dundee Frilcon (January 2006 Dundee x Frantisco) selling for $103,000 to Lee Dairy & Quality Holsteins, Ontario.

• Second high seller was Lot #12 Comestar Lila C Stormatic (Aug. 2006 Stormatic x Lila Z) who sold for $70,000 to Ridgefield Holsteins of the UK.

• Third high seller was added Lot A, the 2006 Royal Winter Fair Junior Champion, Valleyville Lheros Juliet, selling for $58,000 to the partnership of Lexis Holsteins, Idee Holsteins, Ferme Blondin & Ty-D, Quebec & Prince Edward Island.

The next day, bidding continued on the Holstein Silent Sale and concluded following the naming of Supreme Champion to Shoremar James daughter and dam of Lot 6S, Thrulane James Rose. The anticipation grew and the crowd gathered as auctioneer Brent Walker of Guelph, Ontario called for additional bids, closing each lot one by one.

• Lot #1S: 4 Boltons x Comestar Lautamie Titanic (2nd Jr. 2 Yr. Old, Royal Winter Fair 2006) for $6,300 per embryo to the partnership of Brainwave Holsteins, Whittier and Eastman, Ontario.

• Lot #7S: 5 Advents x Derrwyn Miss Special (Res. Grand Champion WDE R&W Show 2006) for $5,200 per embryo to Maplemount Farm of South Durham, Quebec.

To download the complete buyers list including silient sale click here.

2006 Component Sale of Stars

The Semex Alliance was proud to manage the 2006 Sale of Stars, Component Breed Edition headed by Sale Manager Gary Bowers along with representatives from each breed association including, Yves Charpentier from the Canadian Ayrshire Association, Jessie Weir from the Canadian Brown Swiss & Braunvieh Association and Russell Gammon and his staff from Jersey Canada.

The 2006 Sale of Stars, Component Breed Edition was held Thursday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the Ring of Excellence. It featured the finest Jersey, Ayrshire and Brown Swiss genetics available today.

Highlights Include:

Jersey Sale (no embryos):
Average: $4,298 on 28 live lots
High Seller: Lot #1 First Choice Jade x Vandenberg Amedeo Gorgeous
$42,000 to Cabana Da Maya, Brazil

Jersey Embryos:
Average: $2750/lot on 8 lots
High Seller: $5,400 (total) for 6 Agustus Embryos x Lara Whistler Colette 3 – P
Buyer: Ferme Richard Blanchette & Fils, La Presentation, Quebec, Canada

Ayrshire Sale:
Average: $ 2,937 on 8 lots
High Seller: $4,300 for Lot #34, Birghdale Countess 90
Buyer: Ferme Kildare, St Ambroise de Kildare, Quebec, Canada

Brown Swiss Sale:
Average: $ 3,900 on 3 live lots
High Seller: Lot #43, Gubelman Wurl Sarah
Buyer: Bradner Farms, Abbottsford, BC, Canada
Two embryo lots sold for an average of $2750 per lot.

To download the complete buyers list click here.

Past Press Releases

2009 SALE OF STARS

2008 SALE OF STARS