Bull sales are buoyant

Andrew Ritchie

Marlborough bull sales followed in the wake of the successful autumn calf sales, reflecting the general optimism in the beef industry.

Leefield held its on-farm sale in June, selling 17 bulls for an average of $8323 and a top price of $12, 000. The Blenheim Bull sale was reinstated this year with 35 Angus bulls sold on behalf of Blackknight Angus and Brackenfield. Both studs averaged just over $9000 with each having a top price of $15,000.

Later in the day Taimate Angus sold 96 bulls at an average of $13,351. Riverlee Angus stud purchased lot 11 for $62,000, Earnscleugh Angus bought lot 3 for $50,000 and lot 2 was purchased for $45,000 by Manaroa Angus.

The sale average on the day was $13,351. The affordability for the commercial breeder of Taimate bulls was highlighted in the catalogue by pie charts showing that 50% of bulls in the previous two sales sold for under $10,000. Burtergill South Devons sold 14 of the ‘gentle giants’ at the Taimate sale. The sale averaged $7607, and the top price bull sold for $17,000

The Murray families held their joint on-farm sale of Woodbank Angus and Matariki Herefords in mid-June. Woodbank sold 65 bulls for an average of $11,500. Lot 1 was purchased for $22,000 by Blackridge Angus, Lot 5 was purchased by Orange Angus for $30,000 and Lot 24 was bought by Grampian Angus for $30,000.

Matariki Herefords had an exceptional sale selling all64 bulls for an average of $14,921. The highlight of the sale was the purchase of Matariki Qualifier for $80,000 selling to a consortium of Wilencote Hereford stud and Mokairau Hereford stud, from the Gisborne region.

There were 23 bulls in the sale by Qualifier’s sire Matariki Navigator and all were sought after, averaging an impressive $19,304. The sale maintained its strength to the end with later bulls in the catalogue still selling for up to $20,000.

Becky Murray said: “We were quite stunned by the results, but also very proud, as you know it doesn’t happen overnight.”