Bull sales vital to the industry + upcoming sales

Angus bulls at Waiwhero Stud in CHB.

The annual bull sales held in Tararua 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 was being held from May 12 until tomorrow.

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 two-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.

"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.

Upcoming bull walks and sales

May 17: Central Wairarapa Hereford Bull Walk, Wairarapa
May 18: Central Wairarapa Angus Bull Walk, Wairarapa
May 18: Okahu Hereford, Raetihi
May 18: Ruaview Angus & Simmental, Ohakune
May 18: Kuwau Charolais, Raetihi
May 19: Rotomahana Angus & Stabilizer, Reporoa
May 19: Waikitei Simmental, Reporoa
May 22: Kaimoa South Devon, Eketahuna
May 23: Kerrah Simmental, Wairoa
May 26: Central Hawkes Bay Angus Bull Walk
May 31: Te Taumata Hereford, Masterton
May 31: Storth Oaks Angus, Otorohanga
June 1: Springdale Angus, Taumarunui
June 1: Shian Angus, Taumarunui
June 1: BlackRidge Angus, Taumarunui
June 1: Glenbrae Hereford, Porangahau
June 1: Okaharau South Devon, Porangahau
June 1: Ngakouka Hereford Stud, Weber
June 2: KayJay Angus, Masterton
June 6: Hain Hereford, Shorthorn &Angus, Gisborne
June 6: Otapawa Hereford, Tiraumea
June 6: Oregon Angus, Masterton
June 7: Kairuru Hereford, Reporoa
June 7: Wairoa Combined South Devon &Hereford, Wairoa
June 7: Merchiston Angus, Rata
June 7: Dandaloo &Tapiri Angus, Masterton
June 7: Hinewaka Shorthorn, Masterton
June 8: NI Limousin BullTrail
June 8: Pine Park Angus, Marton
June 8: Ranui Angus, Wanganui
June 8: Maungahina Hereford, Red Charolais and Speckled Park, Masterton
June 9: Glenanthony Simmental, Waipukurau
June 9: Totaranui Angus, Pahiatua
June 9: Te Whanga Angus, Masterton
June 12: Atahua Angus, Kiwitea
June 12: Mt Mable Angus, Dannevirke
June 13: Cashback Dandaleith, Dannevirke
June 13: Cashbac Comb Angus, Dannevirke
June 13: Motere Angus, Waipukurau
June 14: Brookwood Angus, Takapau
June 14: Waiwhero Angus, Waipukurau
June 14: Elgin Angus, .Elsthorpe
June 15: Hallmark Angus, Stortford Lodge
June 15: Koanui Hereford, Havelock North
June 16: Waiterenui Angus, Hastings
June 19: Okupata Herefords, Oparau
June 26: Ratanui Angus, Matawhero
June 26: Kaharau Angus, Gisborne
June 27: Turihaua Angus, Gisborne
June 28: Matawhero Combined Angus, Gisborne
June 28: Turiroa Angus, Wairoa
June 29: Mokairau Hereford, Gisborne
June 29: Wilencote Hereford, Gisborne
June 18: Te Whanga yearling Angus, Masterton
June 19: Totaranui yearling Angus, Pahiatua
June 20: Sitz-Stokman yearling Angus, Taupo
June 20: Heather-Dell Angus 1yr Bull Sale, Taupo
June 21: Motere yearling Angus, Waipukurau
June 26: Ardo Hereford, Marton
June 27: Pine Park Angus yearling, Marton
June 27: Turihaua yearling Angus, Gisborne
June 29: Seven Hills Angus, Eketahuna
September 15: KayJay Angus Yearling Bull and Heifer, Masterton