The Fraser family at Stern Angus, Totara Valley, South Canterbury had a full clearance of 102 bulls and averaged $9511, which was $2227 higher than last year’s average.
PGG Wrightson’s Timaru livestock manager Joe Higgins said it was the first time Stern had sold more than 100 bulls, showing demand was very strong.
Top price was a massive $47,000, paid for Stern 15815, sired by Matauri Outlier, and bought by Dean McHardy, Tangihau Angus, Gisborne.
Stern 15858 fetched $22,000 and was bought by Delmont Angus, Clinton.
Te Mania Angus, North Canterbury, sold more than $1 million worth of bulls by averaging $9628 for 109 out of the offering of 111.
Top price was $28,000 paid by Argyle Station, Waikaia, Southland for Te Mania 15347, sired by Thomas Up River (United States).
Rangitatau Trust, Wanganui, paid $26,500 for Te Mania 15311.
Te Mania stock manager Will Wilding said a very big turnout of buyers had to overcome obstacles to attend, including Kaikoura earthquake road damage and fog disruption at Christchurch Airport.
The family was extremely happy with the outcome, the average being over $2000 more than last year.
The bull sale was the 50th at Conway Flat and marked Te Mania’s return to full Wilding family ownership.
A few days earlier Gerald and Sue Hargreaves, Kakahu Angus, Geraldine, sold 102 bulls of 109 offered.
They averaged $8107, up more than $1000 from last year, and had a top price of $27,000 paid by nearby Mt Peel Station.
The leading Charolais stud in the country, Silverstream near Christchurch, sold 62 of 64 Charolais bulls and 16 of 18 Herefords offered.
Brent Fisher said a larger number of bulls sold very well, averaging $7185 for Charolais and $6560 for the Herefords.
Top price was $25,000 for a Charolais bought by Rimu Partnership, Taumarunui, plus some Australian semen rights. Lochiel Station, Hanmer Springs paid $13,000 for a Hereford.
The Murray family at Clarence Valley had good clearances of both Angus and Hereford bulls and were pleased with averages $1800 and $1000 respectively above last year.
Woodbank Angus sold 51 of 54 averaging $7180 and Matariki Hereford sold 48 of 51, averaging $7969.
Top price for the Angus was $15,500, sold to Wainui Station, north Otago, and for the Herefords $15,000 twice.
Getting to the sale this year was a bit different for some of the buyers.
Many arrived by helicopter rather than road because State Highway 1 north of Kaikoura was closed.
The Murray’s Matariki and Woodbank farms on the north side of the Clarence Valley were cut off from the south following the November 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.
The solution was a five-minute helicopter ride from Mangamaunu (north of Kaikoura) to the farm then a quick walk up a track to where the bulls were penned for inspection.
Successful bidders on the day were refunded the cost of the return flight of about $250.
The Blenheim Angus sale of three vendors resulted in 25 bulls sold: Brackenfield (Peter family) averaged $6183 for 13 sold, Waterfall (Waddy family) averaged $4800 for six, and Blacknight (Maisey family) averaged $5616 for six.
Paul and Nadine Hickman, Taimate Angus, Marlborough, averaged a very good $9382, up $2800, when selling 52 bulls with a top price of $20,000.
The van Asch family, Burtergill, Blenheim, sold eight of nine South Devon bulls for an average of $6560.
Neil Sanderson, Fossil Creek Angus, north Otago, sold 47 of 53 Angus bulls for an average of $7350, up $500, and a top of $13,000.
On June 15 the Chesterman family at Koanui Herefords, Maraetotara, Hawke’s Bay, sold 50 bulls for an average of $8008, a $1000-plus increase on last year. The top price paid was $29,000 for Koanui Exfactor 5041.
The bull sale calendar moves on to East Coast breeders for the last week in June.
