Going from wedding dresses to work boots

Suz Bremner MARKETS Livestock

LONGFORDS Estate, a hill country property nestled between Lake Okareka and Lake Tarawera in Rotorua, is better known for hosting weddings and corporate functions.

But this amazing venue played host to a slightly different crowd for its first on-farm sale in late April.

Wedding dresses were replaced with work boots and caps as 170 R2 steers, 75 R2 heifers and 2200 lambs went under the hammer.

A change in farm policy led to holding an on-farm sale and, under the guidance of Hazlett agent Richard Johnston and the wider Hazlett team, it proved to be a very successful venture.

“The vendors changed their farm policy to a weaner-to-18-month cattle trade and the on-farm sale completed that cycle. Also, the lambs are all home-bred and, while the tops had been finished, this was a chance to reduce numbers before winter,” Johnston said.

There is definitely a place for on-farm sales in the North Island. They come with a very different vibe.

Richard Johnston Hazlett agent

More than 100 people attended the sale as buyers from Waikato through to Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay brought along their families for a day out. A total of 55 buyers registered and the steers were split between Waikato and Manawatū while most heifers sold to Gisborne. Lambs also sold to Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū and Waikato.

Johnston said that the vendors enjoyed the process and results. “They were over the moon with the seamless process and the results. It exceeded their expectations and they are very keen to do it again next year.

“There is definitely a place for on-farm sales in the North Island. They come with a very different vibe.”

Results (cattle weighed on-farm minus

4%): Steers – 23 R3 Hereford, 566kg, $1850, $3.26/kg; 25 R2 Charolais, 492kg, $1740, $3.59/kg; 82 R2 Angus, 457-466kg, $1540$1580, $3.36-$3.38/kg; 45 R2 Angus, 433kg, $1515, $3.49/kg; 45 R2 Angus-Shorthorn, 441kg, $1500, $3.40/kg. Heifers – 11 R2 Hereford, 460kg, $1480, $3.21/kg; 41 R2 Angus, 428kg, $1400, $3.27/kg; 20 R2 Charolais, 436kg, $1400, $3.21/kg. Lambs –469 prime lambs $152-$157; 890 Romney males, $145-$149; 960 Romney ewe lambs, $130-$139; 350 terminal-cross lambs, $130-$136.