Te Mania bulls make record prices

Press, 2 August 1985, Page 22

Te Mania bulls make record prices

Record prices at this week’s Te Mania bull sale, near Parnassus, have highlighted the influence American sires have had on the Angus cattle breed in New Zealand. Twenty rising two-year-old sons of an American sire, Lord Patriot, which is now living in Australia, averaged $5690 at Te Mania’s annual sale. The over-all average for 30 bulls was $4783, compared with the previous record- of $2839 set last year. The top price was $26,000 for a Lord Partriot-sired bull bought in partnership by Ranui Stud and Totara Hills Stud, of Te Puke. This is the first season that Lord Patriot’s sons have been offered in New Zealand and three averaged $18,566 at the national Angus sale in July. Mr<; Tim Wilding, of the Te Mania

Stud, said the American bull was producing progeny with big frames, depth and height while still retaining the fleshy characteristics and qualities wanted by New Zealand breeders. Six Te Mania bulls were bought by stud breeders. Other leading prices included $lB,OOO (bought by R. McLachlan, Wairarapa) and $ll,OOO (R. Cranswick, Selby Palmer, and Peter Coleman, Hawke’s Bay). Commercial bulls made between $l2OO and $5700 and attracted buying power from the West Coast, Marlborough, Mid and South Canterbury, and North Canterbury. Eight Angus bulls from the Anstey Stud, Parnassus, averaged $2075, a slight drop from last year’s figure of $2137. Prices ranged from $l5OO to $2BOO.