‘Blown away’ by $92k sale

92,000 reasons to smile: Whangara Angus sold Lot 9 in their on-farm bull sale yesterday for a staggering $92,000, which is only $500 less than the top-priced Angus bull in the country so far this rising two-year-old season. It was bought by Tawa Hills Angus at Motu. Pictured with the bull are (from left) Whangara's Chris Richardson and Andrew Cribb, new owners Paige and Blair Crawshaw, and Whangara's Tom Sanson. Picture by Paul Rickard

Whangara Angus sold a bull yesterday that all but matched the top price paid in New Zealand for an Angus bull this sales season in a stunning on-farm auction for the new stud operators.

Studmaster Tom Sanson and co-owner Andrew Cribb were “blown away” when their Lot 9 sold for $92,000, just $500 short of the top price in the country this season.

They took over the stud only 18 months ago.

It was the highest price paid for a bull in the North Island this season.

Auctioneer Sam Wright, from PGG Wrightson, introduced the bull by saying “you'll have marked this one down”, and so it turned out.

Motu's Tawa Hills Angus, run by Blair and Paige Crawshaw, engaged in a frenetic bidding contest with several under bidders up to the $60,000 mark and then with two from the South Island, as quickfire bidding flew across the rostrum.

The spontaneous applause from the packed rostrum and flow of excited conversation after it was sold said it all.

“We're blown away mate,” Mr Cribb said. “What more can I say — it's great.”

Mr Sanson said the top price was the “cherry on the top” of a highly successful sale for the stud.

“We got such tremendous support from the commercial guys as well, and that's what we're trying to do at Whangara Angus. We had depth right through the catalogue.”

They sold 28 bulls from 29 presented, for an average of $10,732, which was up considerably on last year's average.

Mr Crawshaw said getting the top-priced bull was a real thrill.

“He's structurally sound, with a good head and jaw, and you can see his figures (data). He's a smaller, compact bull that fits into our breeding programme.”

Auctioneer Wright said it was a strong sale with a bench of buyers from across the country.

“That top price is on par with the top price in New Zealand this season for an Angus bull. The top bull was the total bull really.”

PGG Wrightson genetics rep Emma Pollitt said: “credit to Tom and Cribby, they've really polished up the bull team. I'm really happy for them. Their results today were well earned.”

There was a special moment at the start of the auction when Mr Sanson acknowledged the late Patrick Lane, who he described as “a legend of the industry” and who arranged for the stud to change into his and Mr Cribb's hands.

“Patrick was a great guy.”

Daughter Angela Lane after the sale said her father would have been “over the moon” with the sale result, particularly the top price.

“He would be so happy for Tom and Cribby, and to see the way they are carrying on the legacy of Whangara Angus.”

Another special feature was the bull sale the stud donated to Whangara School.

“We always wanted to be involved with the local community and they are doing an amazing job at the school,” Mr Sanson said.

The sale proceeds of Lot 5, $7500, will be donated to the school while rural realtor Tom Lane, from Property Brokers, added another $4000 to the stud's donation.

Students from the school performed a lovely waiata in the sales ring before the sale.