By Natalie Campbell
The Angus New Zealand bull selling season is in full swing and with about half the sales left to run the breed is racking up numerous highlights from around the country.
While high prices, averages and clearance data normally make for beefy reading this review has a significant difference – it’s the difference of giving back.
14-year-old Nick Sherson, son of Dean and Theresa Sherson of Black Ridge Angus, was diagnosed with Leukemia in October 2020 and the Sherson family have set about giving back following the care, treatment and support they’ve received so far.
Black Ridge Angus in Taumarunui and Nick’s grandparents Sharon and Brian Sherson along with uncle Rob Sherson and aunty Tracy of the Shian Angus Stud each offered a bull at their recent sales, with all proceeds being donated to the Starship Children’s Hospital, Oncology Ward 27.
Between the two studs and the generosity of other rural businesses and studs the total amount raised sits at more than $32,000 – a donation that will certainly help pave the way for the future of many children.
Nick still has several months of treatment remaining, but he’s back at home on the farm doing what he loves – driving tractors, enjoying his seven-month-old puppy called Lexie and playing Xbox games alongside younger brother Chris.
The Black Ridge Starship bull, Lot 13 sold for $14,000 to Pukeatua Station near Masterton.
The Sherson’s offered Lot 13 as that was number of Nick’s room on Ward 27 – “lucky 13” while Shian offered Lot 14 – Nick’s age. The hammer fell on $10,000 for the Shian sire.
Topping up the total amount for Starship is a $5,000 donation from Farmers Livestock, $2,000 from Rabobank New Zealand, $1,000 from Kincardine Angus and $250 from PBB in Feilding.
Dean Sherson said the family was absolutely stoked with the result for Lot 13.
“It shows the empathy people have and a lot of people have been touched by Starship in one way or another. It also shows the generosity and heart that the rural sector has.”
“We really are humbled with the support and generosity of shown; we are so lucky in our industry.”
With Nick still receiving treatment Dean and Theresa and youngest son Chris continue to live carefully and in relative isolation as Nick is particularly vulnerable.
“We need to be careful and it’s been tough on the wider family who want to help but have had to do it from a distance. It’s been hard on Brian, Sharon, Robin and Tracy – they can’t visit so they offered up a bull as a way of helping.”
Needless to say, the family is looking forward to long awaited hugs and face to face contact once Nick’s treatment is complete.
“There’s a big dinner reservation with our name on it too!” said Dean.
Topping off the Black Ridge sale was a high price of $27,000 for Lot 2 purchased by Cricklewood Angus. This was closely followed by Lot 11 which sold for $24,000 to Pikoburn Angus. The average price was $11,212 with all but one sire selling in the ring.
Another notable highlight for the Sherson family, is the milestone of Shian Angus celebrating 50 years of breeding. Shian is run by Brian and Sharon Sherson and their son Robin and wife Tracy.
Not only did they celebrate half a century of breeding, but they also achieved an impressive top price of $92,000 – the highest price Angus bull sold on-farm this season. (At the time of writing.)
Lot 1 was described by the Sherson family as “a very impressive young sire” a son of Matauri Ranger L362 and homebred dam Shian 14-1.
“He’s a deep bodied bull packed full of meat. Great coat, bone & structurally sound.”
The young sire was purchased by Kaharau and Orere Angus. The Shian sale average was $11,863.
The hammer fell on $81,000 at the Kincardine Angus sale with the sire purchased by Meadowslea Angus. Kincardine averaged $14,585 with all but one bull sold.
At KayJay Angus near Masterton a complete clearance was achieved with several very solid prices recorded. Top price was $32,000 with the purchase made by Turihaua Angus. This was backed up with other sires fetching $24,000, $23,000 and $16,000. An average price of $13,024 was recorded.
Oregon Angus recorded a high price of $36,000 with that young sire heading home to Ratanui Angus. A second strong sire purchase was made by Colvend Angus for $28,000 The average price was $12,333.
As the sales continue, please check the Angus New Zealand Facebook page for updates.
** Angus NZ has made every endeavour to ensure all sale results are accurate at the time of publishing. **