Bull Sales 2017: New Elgin owners' first auction

Elgin Stud owners Sam and Sarah Duncan with dog, Tom. Photo/Supplied

One couple looking forward to CHB bull week are Sam and Sarah Duncan, the newest owners of Elgin Stud.

While this year will be the 41st time an on-farm auction has been held at the 330-hectare stud at Elsthorpe, it will be the first for the husband and wife team, who have recently become the third generation of Duncans and the fifth generation of the same family to own Elgin.

The stud was established in 1952 by Sam's grandfather, Jock (J.L) Duncan with a base of cows brought from Totaranui, Waiterenui and Brooklands studs. Jock's son Mick and his wife Barb took over the stud in the 1970s. For the past 16 years Sam has worked alongside his father Mick, building up the stud and calving 100 cows and 25 heifers. Alongside the stud operation, Sam also lambs 1000 ewes and finishes all the lambs.

Elgin usually offers between 25-30 rising two-year bulls for sale during 'bull week', and Sam was excited about his first on-farm auction to be held in June.

"It's always a bit of a thrill to see your two years of hard work come up for sale. I'm proud of what Dad and I produce here at Elgin and I think this year's line-up of bulls reflect our combined vision for the stud."

Sam said the aim of Elgin stud was to produce "easy-doing cattle", achieved through careful monitoring and appraisal of the bulls to ensure they are "sound, well-fleshed and of good temperament".

"The hallmarks of an Elgin bull is its structural soundness, great bone, its nice head and jaw, and longevity," said Sam.

Now that he is at the helm, Sam said he didn't intend to stray too far from dad Mick's breeding philosophy, which puts phenotype and structure first.

"Mick is the one who has shaped Elgin to what it is today. He says reputation is huge and if people like what you're breeding and the bulls perform they'll keep coming back year after year."

While data such as EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values) were useful when selecting bulls and making decisions on which females to mate them with, Sam said bull selection was "a personal thing" and everyone's needs were different.

"I like to make sure that the animal in front of me looks like a good, sound bull first and foremost," he said.

Sam said Elgin bulls were sold widely throughout the North Island with traditionally strong support from Hawke's Bay and the East Coast. He believed Elgin cattle had a good enough basis to make them suitable for all points of the country, and he hoped to expand the stud's influence during his tenure.