Bull sales vital for farmers, studs

HB Angus chairman Charles Pattison says next month's annual bull sales are an exciting and important time for cattle farmers.

The annual bull sales held in CHB and around the region during a few, short weeks in June are both an exciting and important time for stud owners and cattle farmers.

The stakes are high. The sales can potentially shape the future fortunes of the parties involved, from the stud owners hoping to secure the best price for their prized bulls, to the commercial operators looking to improve the genetics of their herd.

The timing of the sales in CHB and the rest of region are dictated by the timing of the National Beef Expo in Feilding, which this year is being held from May 12-16.

Simmentals, Charolaise and Herefords are also sold at the numerous on-farm auctions or by private treaty during the month. But the majority of auctions are for 2-year-old Angus bulls - which has tended to be the dominant breed in CHB in recent years.

Hawke's Bay Angus Association represents 10 studs stretching from Hastings down towards Dannevirke. Chairman Charles Pattison, owner of the 973-hectare Waiwhero Stud in CHB, said the annual sales came with their own unique set of pressures.

"It's an exciting time but it's also a nervous time. Basically your cattle have to be absolutely right on the day. There are no excuses."

Charles said buyers were looking for bulls with the right mix of heritable traits.

"They have the opportunity to select a bull that will really fit their requirements and improve and add value to their herd."

It was similar scenario for the stud breeders, he said.

"We are also trying to add value to the herds. We want buyers to keep coming back to us."

Given the stakes, a lot of money changes hands during the annual sales, he said.

AUCTION LOTS: Angus bulls at Waiwhero Stud in CHB.

"It's probably not up there with the old horseracing industry but I'll tell you what, it wouldn't be far away," said Charles, who added that in good years, some CHB studs could rake in up to $250,000 from the sales, with an average commercial bull going for between $5000-$6000.

With so much money involved, buyers studied the Estimated breeding values (EBVs) of the bulls, which cover everything from gestational length, to scrotal size to the inter-muscular fat content of the animals, which relates to the amount of marbling of the meat.

To further eliminate the guesswork, Charles said many buyers liked to attend 'herd walks' prior to the sales so they could inspect the animals and make an informed appraisal.

"They are a great opportunity for buyers to go around to all the studs and benchmark all the cattle available for sale for the season."

HB Angus Herd Walk venues and dates:

Thursday, May 25: Waiterenui 2pm-2.30pm; Whenuapapa 3pm-3.30pm.

Friday, May 26: Mt Mable 9am-9.30am; Dandaleith 10am-10.30am; Brookwood 10.45am-11.15am; Waiwhero 1pm-1.30pm; Motere 1.45pm-2.15pm; Elgin 3pm-3.30pm.