The first Annual Angus female sale held on farm in Fairlie on May 5th has set what is believed to be a NZ record ($2,600) for commercial R2 heifers. Peter Barrett from Lynnburn Station in Central Otago purchased the heifers with the aim of improving the genetics within his commercial operation. Peter is also Angus NZ’s newest breeding member having recently applied for membership, and also having purchased stud stock for transfer at the Meadowslea sale.
The pen of 27 R2yr in calf heifers were bred by Meadowslea Bulls on Braemar Station near Mt Cook. Meadowslea purchased the heifers as weaners at the Mackenzie basin calf sale in 2016 and had mated them to top low birth weight calving ease Bulls. Stud owner David Giddings said there is terrific demand for these NZ Angus genetics that are proven to perform in the hill country. The sale was very strong across all the age groups on offer with the Stud R2yr heifers averaging $2500, the R3yr Heifers $2300 and the Annual Draft Stud cows averaging $2750 with a top Price of $5400.
The sale had a total clearance of 120 females with over 40 to be transferred as stud cattle to buyers from the King Country to Southland. The balance of the cattle were bought by commercial farmers wanting to increase numbers and quality within their own herds.