Farmer generosity with sheep donations set to provide Daffodil Day benefit for the Cancer Society.

On 13 August the annual Marton Hogget Fair is scheduled for the Feilding Saleyards.

Over the past few years, the event has doubled as a Daffodil Day fundraiser, which this year in particular should generate some welcome revenue for one of the country’s favourite charities, the Cancer Society.

Marton-based PGG Wrightson Livestock Sheep and Beef Representative Phil Transom says the event, offering a good volume of high value sheep, always makes the most of the local farming community’s generosity.

“Rural people are hard to beat when it comes to fundraising. As most farmers have some experience of a friend or family member dealing with cancer, those big hearts and open wallets really come to the fore at this event. We usually have 20 to 30 vendors at the fair, and if each gives one sheep, averaging $200 or more per head, that is a significant amount to pass on for such a good cause.

“While we encourage all vendors to donate a sheep, some farmers do their own thing, for example offering more sheep, offering one sheep per pen, or making a generous donation for any sales over a particular price.

“All in all, it’s a wonderful day out for farmers and PGG Wrightson staff,” he says.

Last year the sale raised $16,000. With buoyant red meat prices, Phil Transom expects this year could go even better.

“It all depends what tallies we end up with. Even if numbers are down, with prices firm, we could be on for a bumper year,” he says.

Proceeds are used by the Cancer Society to support research and health promotion in rural areas around Manawatu and Whanganui.
 

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