Hains enjoys a better average

TOP BULL: Lot 5 in the Hain Herefords sale (pictured above) sold for a top price in the auction of $10,500, puchased by the Faulkner family from Wairakaia Station at Muriwai. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Hain Herefords on Waikura Station at Pehiri kicked off the Gisborne rising two-year-old bull sales season yesterday afternoon with a near sell-out and a better average than last year.

About 50 prospective buyers and supporters gathered at the stud’s on-farm rostrum for the auction.

“This was a good sale and a great start to the Gisborne bull sales season,” said auctioneer Neville Clark from EJ Gordon Livestock.

Hain Herefords sold one of the 27 head put up for $10,500, bought by the Faulkner family from Wairakaia Station at Muriwai.

“This could be the bull of the day,” Mr Clark said as he introduced the animal.

“Look at the beautiful cosmetics on him, his balance. There’s a lot of impact in him. He’s beautifully fitted out. He’s a breeder.”

The buyers obviously thought so too.

Another animal sold for $10,000.

The sale achieved an average across all the polled (20) and horned (5) bulls sold of $6225, which was up on last year.

All but two of the 27 in the lineup sold.

“It was a very good clearance and Gemma and I are very pleased to have sold them for a better average than last year,” said studmaster Sam Hain.

“It’s great to get our bulls out into the beef industry. We’re happy with how it’s gone today.”

Mrs Hain said they certainly got off lightly with the weather.

“We are thinking of those who have been so hard hit by the flooding at the weekend around Tolaga Bay,” she said.

The couple have made grazing available to a Whangara farmer who needs it for his stock, because of paddock damage from the heavy rain and flooding.

The couple paid tribute to their retiring stock agent Steve Goldsbury, who will finish his career at the end of the Bull Week sales at the end of the month.

“We appreciate so much what Steve has done for us over more than a generation,” Mr Hain said.

Neville Clark opened the sale with the comment — “Well done the stud. The bulls look particularly well this year, with a lot of weight and muscle, and all the growth you need.” The sale reflected those initial comments.

“With the markets for beef where they are, this is all good for the beef industry.”

He also commented on Steve Goldsbury.

“Steve’s diligent and a hard working stock agent. Well done Steve for your effort with this stud.”

“Well done fellas,” he said to the buyers at the end.

“It was a sale that bowled along nicely, without being excessive. It’s really good to have had two go for $10k or more. The sale had a good tone to it.” Mr Clark said.

Fittingly the last word to Steve Goldsbury — “These bulls were bred on the hills and their buyers will be particularly happy with them as they grow.”

Sale details — Polled Herefords: Wairakaia Station $10,500 (Lot 5); Ngapuke Station, $10,000; Carrfields as agents $5000, $4500, $7500, $6000; McNeil Farming, $4500; Mangatoitoi Station $8000; Te Ruanui Station $7500, $5800; Ranginui Station $7500, $4800; Willock Partnership $7500; Gisborne-East Coast Farmers as agents $8500; Torlea Station $6000; Te Aroha Station $6500, $4000; Ruakaka Station $5000; Raukura Station $4500; Taimoti Station $5500. Horned Herefords: Torlea Station $8500; Raukura Station, $4000; Taimoti Station $4000; James Walker $4000; Coop Partnership $4800.