Rangatira Angus, among the East Coast’s most respected studs, is bringing a six decade era to a close. Its mixed age cow, heifer calf and bull calf dispersal sale on 22 March offered 244 lots for a full clearance through a six hour sale. 

Emma Pollitt, PGG Wrightson East Coast Livestock Genetics Representative, helped organise the sale with stud principals Charlie and Susie Dowding, while bidr®, New Zealand’s virtual saleyard, added nationwide competition, helping make the day a resounding success.

“We had 26 online registered buyers, from Mangakino to Clinton, alongside over 50 who bid in person at the sale. Almost half the offering received online bids, and bidr® participants purchased 14 per cent of the lots, including the top price of the day for a bull calf. 

“This sale was originally planned for this time last year, before Covid-19 disrupted the selling season. When the Rangatira Angus yearling and two year old heifer sale was held in September last year bidr® attended to cover all bases, and we stuck with that for this sale.

“Some online purchasers who had been at the September sale in person bid from home this time, showing confidence in the system and the stud. Having bidr® there, with a full online system, made bidding from home much easier, ensuring anyone online can stay in control,” she says.

With 111 cows offered, the average price was $4,775 and the top-priced cow sold for $12,000 to Rolling Rock Angus. In the heifer section 68 lots averaged $4,283 with the top-priced heifer calf purchased by Shamrock Angus for $10,500. Of 65 bull calves offered, selling on average for $3,933, as noted, the top priced bull calf was purchased online: with Black Ridge Angus buying him for $20,500 and Mt Mable Angus purchasing another bull calf at the sale for $17,500.

Emma Pollitt says it was always going to be a bittersweet day for the Dowding family.

“Charlie and Susie were as happy as could be in the circumstances. They were thrilled with the outcome of the sale, appreciated the value bidr® provides and will use bidr® again at their upcoming bull sale in June,” she says.