32 | Exceptional line-up for bull sale Kim Newth Kerrah Simmentals annual auction of Rising Two Year Bulls at Tangiwai Station is a muchanticipated bull sale event, with an impressive line-up expected at this year’s May sale. A leading New Zealand breeder of fully recorded Simmentals, Kerrah has a strong reputation for producing functional, docile cattle. At Tangiwai Station (2000ha), the stud stock are run under commercial conditions in a challenging Wairoa hill country environment. Jon, Sam and Colleen Knauf will host Kerrah’s 8th annual on farm sale of Rising Two-Year-Old Bulls on Thursday, 23rd May at Tangiwai Station, (1350 Hereheretau Rd, Wairoa). Buyers can look forward to seeing sons from Glenside Crumpy, Kerrah Go To, and Kerrah Epic in the line-up of 80 promising young bulls. These sires are all proven champs on performance and pedigree. “All the bulls are polled and DNA tested for parentage, polled-ness and colour,” says Jon. “Stand out traits in this year’s bull sale are docility and growth, reinforced by EBVs; the line-up is outstanding.” Kerrah’s work on isolating the dilution gene has unlocked greater certainty on colour, adding further to the appeal of Kerrah bulls as a reliable investment. Last May, 73 of 76 bulls offered sold for an average of $9212. Jon is keeping an open mind about how this latest sale will go, but he’s expecting a similar turnout to last year’s well-attended auction. “Beef and lamb schedules have eased back a bit this year and that may bring a slight easing in bull prices. Having said that, you don’t really know how an auction will go until the day. We had a great sale last year and that was really encouraging.” The Knauf family combined three studs to form Kerrah Simmentals in 2005. Simmentals were chosen for their high performance and that decision has been borne out by results from Beef and Lamb Progeny testing. The stud continues to go from strength to strength. “We’ve been going for 18 years now. While you never fully accomplish your goals, I think we’re well on the way to getting our breeding programme where we want it.” Bulls sold at previous auctions have gone on to perform as forecast and deliver pro tability for their buyers. Jon notes that a line-up of Kerrah 18-month steers sold “really well” at the Fielding saleyards in mid-January and a lot of clients are killing the RURAL PEOPLE » Kerrah Simmentals progeny at good weights before the second winter. Sale day is a combined effort from family, friends and neighbours with the staff team of Shayne Walker, Hughie Stephens, Turei White and Josie Mulgrew to ensure it runs smoothly. As well, Jon and Sam have appreciated having daughter Lauren lend a hand through what has been a very wet 2022/23 summer, after she returned home from her outback experience in Australia. This year’s bull sale catalogue is due out in the rst week of May. Interested buyers can get in touch with Jon or contact stock agents Phil Transom at PGG Wrightson Fielding or Ross Mitchell at Fergus Rural Wairoa for details. “Bulls are always available for viewing by appointment for those wanting to come and have a look prior to sale.” P: 06 838 8282 M: 027 483 0644 | 027 230 8713 NOW ALSO OPERATING A B3 SQUIRREL L to R: Ross Mitchell, Daryl Fergus, Rob Fergus, Tim Petro, Luke Bates, Deano Brenssell. www.fergusrural.co.nz • admin@fergusrural.co.nz Gisborne: Wairoa: Rob Fergus 027 4496007 Deano Brenssell 027 8638923 Luke Bates 027 4211653 Daryl Fergus 027 2092787 Ross Mitchell 027 4048965 Environmental Solu ons Consultant: Tim Petro 027 3390400 Livestock and Agribusiness consultants. AGRIBUSINESS Kerrah Simmentals is offering a strong line-up of 18 promising young bulls at its May sale. “Stand out traits in this year’s bull sale are docility and growth, reinforced by EBVs; the line-up is outstanding,” says Kerrah’s Jon Knauf.
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