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| The first bull in the ring fetched $8800 and set the tone for the best sale Wilencote have had in a number of years. |
THE bull sales began with the big red Herefords and finished on a high at Wilencote Stud.
The sale of polled Herefords was the best for a number of years averaging $5800 - the same level Mokairau had achieved earlier in the day.
The highest price of $8800 was paid by Potutu Station who went on to purchase a further six bulls. “Mr Clark said it was a marvellous line of bulls, practical cattle that deliver results.” The high-priced sire was from Wilencote Stallion 315. It had moderate birth weight and above-average growth at 400 and 600 days.
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There was wonderful support for Wilencote Stud owners Suzie and Peter Humphreys with family and friends helping to present the cattle.
The stud has a focus on producing practical cattle that will achieve good growth and carcase yield, said Mr Humphreys. “We want sound, meaty bulls that will work well on the hill country.”
Generous in his praise for others, he acknowledged the contribution of Eric Gordon at the start of the sale. “He gave us wonderful skills and attributes needed to select good cattle and helped guide us through managing the cattle when I first returned home.”
A minute’s silence was held to remember his contribution to the district’s livestock industry. “It was great to have Neville Clark back to auction the cattle with his knowledge of cattle and their breeding,” said Mr Humphreys.
The visit to the district in May of Southern Beef Technologies consultant Christian Duff gave him confidence that EBVs were now a good reflection of cattle performance.
Mr Duff talked about evaluating bulls on their genes and he told the farmers to think about what influenced their profit. Wilencote had been breeding Herefords for 92 years and was trying to keep improving each year, said Mr Humpreys.
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