Inaugural sale at renowned Western Southland sheep and beef station generates outstanding returns from a large gallery – both in person, and via bidr.

Large Western Southland sheep and beef station Mount Linton’s inaugural cattle sale in early May was met by a favourable reception from a wide ranging gallery of buyers.

Comprising 12,145 hectares, Mount Linton is renowned for its consistent line of well grown, temperamentally sound, high marbling Angus cattle, which perform well with processing companies’ hand-picked programmes.

Otautau-based PGG Wrightson Livestock sheep and beef representative Willie Swale organised the sale. He says positive market conditions persuaded the station to offer almost 1500 head of cattle at a large on-farm event for the first time.

“Mount Linton has previously sold cattle privately. This year, with returns the way they are, as well as recognising the opportunity to reach a broader market, we were keen to unload all the station’s surplus cattle in May.

“These are quality, station bred Angus cattle: performance recorded since 1991, and wintered on hill and tussock country up to 1000 metres above sea level that is prone to plenty of snow. Genetics that survive and thrive in such an environment while sustainably producing the highest quality end product, present a compelling proposition for beef farmers seeking finishing cattle or breeding cows.

“We had 34 registered buyers on farm at the sale, with up to 80 attending in person, plus a large gallery from throughout the country viewing via bidr. While traditionally Mount Linton cattle sell locally, at this sale a significant proportion of the lots were taken by farmers from North Canterbury and Otago,” he says.

Prices on the day for 840 Angus 18-month steers ranged from $1870 to $2440; 216 18-month unmated Angus heifers fetched between $1540 and $1800; 75 in-calf Angus heifers sold for $2000 per head; 183 mixed age Angus cows ranged in price from $2050 to $2100; and 50 annual draft cows sold for $1800 each.

Mount Linton general manager Mat Middlemass was pleased with the result.

“We had an excellent day. Showcasing our cattle for the first time in this type of sale was satisfying. Our stock delivers on a high-quality package of traditional genetics, so meeting such an enthusiastic market is gratifying. We were delighted to connect with buyers from further afield than we have historically reached. The station is extremely happy with the outcome, which exceeded even our most optimistic expectations,” he says.

Willie Swale agrees that the day was one of the best.

“This was magnificent by the Mount Linton team, who put in a huge effort to ensure the logistics behind the scenes were as smooth and seamless as possible to make it such an outstanding success.”

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