Alpine takes the Wonder Cup again

WONDER-FUL: The Herries family from Alpine Angus at Pehiri had plenty to smile about yesterday when their young bull Lot 36 was judged the top bull in the Combined Angus sale at the Matawhero saleyards. They received the Wonder Cup for the second year in a row. The bull - Alpine Diamond 776 - later sold for $14,000. (From left) Jen Herries and son Nick, daughter Katie, Steve Herries and son Matt. The Combined sale produced a total clearance across all four studs. Picture by Murray Robertson

THE Herries family from Alpine Angus at Pehiri yesterday hoisted the Wonder Cup for the second year when one of their rising two-year-olds was judged the best bull in the sale. A completely packed sales rostrum at the Matawhero saleyards saw a total clearance across the four studs represented who put up a total 55 young bulls.

Lot 36 Alpine Diamond 776 was judged the outstanding animal in the line-up by judge Paul Hickman from Taimate Angus in Marlborough.

“He took my eye, this bull. An outstanding animal. He’s very well balanced and has everything within good moderation, moves well, with excellent feet and scrotum, with a very strong head and muzzle,” Mr Hickman said. “The overall offering here today is one of the best, most even lines of bulls I have seen, especially their outstanding temperament. I cannot recall a single bull that I could not put my hands on when I inspected them in their paddocks.”

'Rapt' with win and 'honoured' by supportJenny Herries said in accepting the trophy that Alpine was celebrating 25 years this year and “this is a nice way to mark that milestone".

“Our bulls are speaking for themselves.”

Her husband Steve said the family were “really rapt” to win for the cup for the second time.

“We feel very honoured in the way the other Gisborne breeders and commercial guys have supported us since we arrived in the district three years ago. We were very pleased with our line-up this year.”

Kenhardt reaches top priceSecond and fourth places went to bulls from Tangihau, with animals from Kenhardt from Nuhaka and Cricklewood north of Wairoa third and fifth respectively.

The Kenhardt animal produced the top price in the sale of $16,000. It was one of three bulls sold to stud across the whole sale.

“It was very satisfying to achieve that result,” said Kenhardt studmaster Grant Crawshaw. “It’s been a good sale for us.”

Highest average to CricklewoodCricklewood Stud realised the highest average for the sale of $10,833 from the three animals they put up.

“We are delighted with that average and we wish our purchasers well with their new bulls,” said studmaster Humphry Bayly.

“Next year we hope to have a few more to sell.”

Tangihau sold outDean McHardy from Tangihau said it was a brilliant sale for everyone.

“Everything sold in a total clearance and that is great. We at Tangihau are very happy with what we achieved here.”

Tangihau sold 15 and averaged $9600, Alpine sold 16 for an average $7781, and Kenhardt sold 21 for an average $6404.

Auctioneer Cam Heggie from PGG Wrightson said the result showed the high confidence in the cattle market.