Strong sale for Turihaua Augus

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Turihaua Angus bulls are reaching “almost unheard of” prices, following last Wednesday’s 2019 yearling bull sale.

“It went exceptionally well,” Turihaua Angus stud manager Paul Williams said.

“It was a very strong sale, particularly yearling bulls, which are what we call heifer-mating specialists.”

The yearling bulls were being bought for breeding operations, Mr Williams said.

The average sale price hit $8607, with all 27 bulls finding a buyer.

“That price is probably unheard of in New Zealand, for an average price for yearling bulls.

“It would be well above double the national average probably.

“We also had a selection of two-year-old bulls and there were nine of 12 sold, with a good average price.

“It’s quite a small market for heifer-mating, so there were about 70 people at the sale and potentially half of those were looking to buy, and that’s all we needed on the day.

“Most of these people bought two or three bulls, of the guys who bought.”

Mr Williams said he put the high average price down to the quality of animals being produced.

“All these bulls are guaranteed for three years. They’ve all had the same treatment as our two-year-old bulls before they are sold, so they are not a one-use wonder, and that’s why these guys are seeing the value in them now.”

The bulls would be used as heifer-mating bulls for the first two years and then probably would be run out with mixed-age cows.

“That’s showing now, with the value these guys are putting on them, it’s almost comparable to the two-year-old bulls.”