This year there was a preference for quality velvet sires, with more farmers looking to improve herd velvet weights to help offset the fall in venison prices, PGGWrightson deer stud coordinator Graham Kinsman said.
“More than ever before buyers were looking for top quality. There were some exceptional animals on offer but they had to be good to make in excess of $20,000,” Kinsman said.
In a repeat of last year, Canes Deer achieved the top price of $64,000 for a three-year-old bought by Southlanders Eddie Brock and Alan Stewart. The next-best price, $63,000, was for a Windermere stag.
Brock Deer, Crowley Deer, Peel Forest Estate, and Canes Deer all had strong sales, recording average prices of more than $10,000.
At the six wapiti bull sales the average price of the 178 sold was $4326. The top price of $17,500 went to Tikana Wapiti, of Winton.