| 27 Sale day a special day at South Devon stud The annual Kaimoa South Devon sale will be held on May 22 with around 20 bulls on offer. Richard Loader RURAL PEOPLE » Kaimoa South Devons put over their own herds of pure-bred South Devon cows. “But most buyers are looking for a South Devon to put over the likes of Angus cows to improve the hybrid vigor of the herd and get progeny that will grow out bigger,” says Mark. “When Di and I travel around the country we visit people who have bought bulls from us, to see the progeny and get feedback. As a stud breeder I might like something but if it’s not working out on the farms, you need to know.” The timing of last year’s sale was just right, with Covid lockdowns and restrictions coming to an end. “We had a few drinks afterwards, and it was possibly the best I’ve seen people stay around. Everyone was keen to get away from Covid and have a drink and chat with likeminded people. We also invite the neighbouring farmers to the annual sale and even though they might not be buying anything, it’s just a great opportunity to get together.” One of the quietest of the cattle breeds, the South Devon’s temperament is one of the major plusses, along with carcass attributes. They are also good for cross breeding, explains Mark. “The majority of our bulls now are homozygous polled, which means that even when put over a cow with horns, the offspring should be horn free. Most of our genetics are sourced from the UK, because that’s where the breed originated from and still has the biggest population of South Devons in the world. Some of our genetics are sourced locally – again looking at conformation, EBVs, temperament, carcass traits and something that will enhance our breeding programme.” This year’s sale has been set for Monday the 22nd of May. While the process of selecting bulls for the on-farm sale is still in progress, buyers can be assured that there will be a number of standouts in the mix of about 20 on offer. “As long as pine trees don’t continue to gobble up our countryside, we hope to get a good number of buyers attending the sale. It’s not just stud sheep and cattle breeders affected by planting pines trees on good pastoral land, I was talking to a commercial weed sprayer the other day and his business has been impacted too. It has a big reach.” Mark Eagle, son Anthony and granddaughter Evie. Transport Ltd 4 Short Road, Pahiatua • Phone: 06 376 8128 • Fax: 06 376 6644 Dean’s Mobile: 027 444 7413 • Email: fitsy.trans@xtra.co.nz We are proud to work with Kaimoa South Devons Sale day is all about putting your bulls on show for people to look at, and the pleasure of catching up with people you don’t see as regularly as you would like because of where they live around the country, says Mark Eagle, who in partnership with his wife Di and son Anthony owns the well-established Kaimoa South Devon Stud in Tararua. The annual on-farm sale at the Eagle’s 350-hectare property on Mangaone Valley Road, between Pahiatua and Eketahuna, is traditionally held on the second to last Monday in May. Last year 21 R2 bulls weighing in between 750kgs and 900kgs made it to the ring, with all 21 sold on the day, averaging just under $9100 each. While buyers are predominantly from the North Island, two separate clients made the journey across the Straight looking for a South Devon to KAIMOA SOUTH DEVONS ANNUAL BULL SALE 2023 Improve your herd and choose from 20 lots of exceptional, meaty, well-rounded bulls, in a sale that’s not to be missed. MONDAY MAY 22 , 2023 V I EWING 11AM ONWARDS SALE STARTS 1. 30PM 1775 Mangaone Valley Road, R.D.4, Eketahuna Bid live online via CONTACT FOR MORE DETAILS: MARK EAGLE: 027 434 7152 OR 06 376 8256 ANTHONY EAGLE: 027 440 8356
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