Record audience at bull sale
A record number of farmers took part in the largest service bull sale in New Zealand – many from the comfort of their own homes.
Tainui Group Holdings' annual Hereford sale at Hangawera Station this month was a sellout; all 159 bulls were sold for an average $2800 per head.
Prices were markedly up on last year's sale and bids reached as high as $3200.
Rural operations manager Ian Mathieson says the bidders were eager.
"We had 60 registered buyers at the station Monday and we sold all the Herefords presented. The weather was fine and it was a family day out for many, given that it was school holidays."
Mathieson says its finance plans were a magnet for would-be buyers.
"We had some positive feedback on the finance plans available this year. It's been a tough season, particularly for dairy, but we worked hard with our agents PGG Wrightson and RD1 Livestock.
"Months of preparation went into this day and it was great to see it go really well," he says.
All the Herefords sold were purebred, aged 18-30 months. They were fertility tested and double vaccinated and tested for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL).
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
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