70 | Penvose Angus highlights big gains Kim Newth Otago’s Penvose Angus will lead out this year’s annual rising two-year-old bull sales season with an impressive line-up that reflects the ongoing focus on delivering cattle that will thrive and grow well in harsh hill country environments. In response to strong demand, the Duncan Family’s Wedderburn stud will offer more young bulls than last year – around 35 in total - at their 38th bull sale on Friday, May 19th. As a late calving stud and one of the first off-theblocks in sale season, the Penvose Angus sale is always well supported by buyers seeking out young bulls of excellent quality that can then be grown out to their full potential. “We’ll have the catalogue up online by February or March so people can check out what’s on offer,” says Stuart Duncan, whose father Graeme founded the stud nearly 40 years ago. “We encourage people to make an appointment through their agent to come and view the bulls before sale day so they can see them in their natural environment.” Penvose is an AngusPure Partner Stud with decades of experience in breeding to ensure success for commercial hill country operations. Stud cattle bred on this 2000-hectare sheep, beef and deer farm, which is the highest altitude stud in New Zealand, are renowned for their excellent shifting ability, all round soundness, easy going temperament and good growth attributes. Stud cows stay on the hills until calving and must meet commercial expectations. Along with top AI sires from the United States, the best bulls from Australia are used to drive genetic improvement. At last May’s sale, all of the 32 young Penvose bulls presented were sold. An average sale price of $7822 was achieved while the top priced lot – Penvose 20774 – sold for $15,000 (to Adam Lindsay, Creekside Farms). A quality package, Penvose 20774 combined premium Penvose bloodlines with top beef genetics out of the United States (Deer Valley Wall Street). Bred with an emphasis on Intramuscular Fat (IMF) and growth, the bulls had excellent statistics going into last year’s sale, (with 17% in the top 1% of 600-day weight in the Trans-Tasman cattle evaluation, and 38% in the top 5%). MEAT & WOOL » Penvose Angus “This year’s figures are even better. We know the type of cattle people want and, with our figures improving every year, it’s clear we’re doing our job. Ultimately, the aim is an 18-month cattle beast hanging on the hook. If you’re able to meet your targets quicker and earlier, that’s going to be more efficient all around and better for the environment…We own commercial cattle too. By fattening our own steers, we can see how we measure up. We’re trying to get cattle that meet Silver Fern Farms Angus Premium standards.” Stuart’s father Graeme continues to be very actively involved in the stud’s development and the annual sale. “He’s really into the EBVs and technology side of it! The whole family is home for the sale though our daughter Ellie may not make it this time as she’s in Auckland. Stuart Duncan’s father Graeme founded the stud nearly 40 years ago. Mitch, who was at Lincoln University, is now working as a shepherd at Scargill in North Canterbury and our other son Todd has started studying agricultural at Lincoln this year.” Meanwhile, Stuart and wife Lorraine have had a very busy summer with their tourism accommodation venture, Wedderburn Cottages on the Otago Central Rail Trail. Contact: Stuart Duncan, E: s.l.duncan@xtra.co.nz, M: 021 224 2320
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