On 28 March, on behalf of Merchiston Angus, we conducted a major on-farm reduction sale. We offered the entire Merchiston-based cow herd: all the stud’s cows that calved during 2021 and were subsequently in-calf again, plus the herd’s in-calf heifers.

Merchiston Angus is a stud business northeast of Marton. It was established in 1955 on a property held in the same family through four generations. Merchiston has plenty of heritage, and a long term genetic legacy based on astute selection, use of EBVs to measure performance, intense evaluation of animal structure and first-class stockmanship. Its stock are renowned for consistency, fertility, volume, depth, capacity, thickness and performance on a predominantly grass diet.

On sale day the 117 mixed-age cows offered achieved a 100 per cent clearance, averaging $3,500, with the top price of $12,500 for a cow selling to stud.

In addition, the sale featured 24 two-and-a-half-year in-calf heifers. They averaged $4,900, with the top price of $9,000 selling to a commercial client in Taihape.

This was a hybrid sale: we had around (100 plus) on-site and in person, while some (80), ranging from Kaitaia to Gore, attended via bidr, with bidr purchasers accounting for (20) per cent of the total sales. Ensuring the above was well covered, having clients and Genetics reps inspecting potential purchases prior was key to overall success.

This reduction sale had plenty of challenges. Transacting such a large quantity of exceptional quality genetics, where the appeal motivates both stud and commercial clients, while also aligning expectations on all sides, and with so much at stake for our highly respected vendor, was a balancing act. In addition, there was the covid factor. I was delighted that we were able to achieve such a positive result. Although such a sale is a rarity, with changes signalled among several stud businesses, similar opportunities to show our expertise appear likely in the near future.

Finally, a note of praise to young talent Ben Wright, who sold the heifers. Ben’s assured and professional debut at a sale of this magnitude was a good introduction to our Manawatu, Whanganui and Taranaki stud clients, for whom he will be conducting Genetics auctions in future.

Callum Stewart,

National Genetics Manager