Business Rural North Winter 2021

| 31 RURAL PEOPLE » Ratanui Angus R2 bulls grazing at Ratanui, in the Tauwhareparae Valley on the East Coast. The first on-farm sale of Ratanui SuffMax Rams was held in December 2019 and another line- up of strong hill country sheep was presented at last December’s ram sale. Bull sale annual highlight for stud owners Kim Newth M el and Nicky Story are looking forward to hosting Ratanui Angus Stud’s 31st Annual R2 Bull Sale on June 29, with all attending sure of a warm welcome. A good turnout of potential buyers from around the East Coast region is expected at the stud’s on farm sale in the Tauwhareparae Valley. All up, 22 quality bulls are being put forward for this latest sale. Ratanui also opened the farm gate for the East Coast Angus Bull Walk on April 29, giving people an opportunity to assess the bulls on offer. Feed covers on the flats are holding up well in the lead-up to sale day. “This year the bulls are looking awesome and we’re expecting the sale to go very well, says Mel, whose parents Dick and Averil Story named the stud ‘Ratanui’ in 1978. They ran the stud in Manawatu for many years. Mel and Nicky relocated it to the East Coast in 2005. “My father was a well- known breeder and loved his cattle – he was an Angus breeder through and through and developed the stud over many years.” As Mel observes, the work of stud development is never finished, but the focus on breeding and selecting cattle suited for the region and hill country environment remains the same. Top genetics and sires are selected from other leading East Coast studs to help achieve the breeding goals of consist- ent quality and longevity plus robust constitution. Both EBVs and phenotype/appearance are consid- ered when making selections. With breeding, it’s always a long game. “When you buy a bull, it takes three years before you know whether you’ve made the right call.” The family farm comprises approximately 350ha, around a third of which is good flats and the re- mainder hill country. Stock is bred to be hardy and adaptable. “We do get dry summers - the ground can go from very soft to hard as concrete just like that.” Mel is confident the line-up of R2 bulls being put forward this year are very much in line with what East Coast buyers will be looking for. The fam- ily brought their sales home to the farm a few years ago, after building their own rostrum, and they love hosting this annual event. “Everyone is involved on the day. It’s great to welcome people here so they can see where we are, what we’re all about and learn about the devel- opment that has gone on over the years.” Two of the couple’s sons – Nathan and Sean, both qualified engineers–are back home and lend- ing a hand with the stud operation.Mel says they have naturally found their own roles on the farm. “They bring a whole new way of looking at things and we love having them here.They both have homes and partners in Gisborne and travel from there.” At last year’s sale, 28 of 29 R2 bulls offered sold at an average of $7944, down on the previous year, likely as a result of last year’s tough summer dry. “People came and supported us strongly and we really appreciated that.” Fewer bulls are on offer this year, partly because this sale follows Ratanui’s inaugural Yearling Bull Sale last September. Over the past 10 years, a hardy and active flock of terminal sheep has also been bred and devel- oped. The first on-farm sale of Ratanui SuffMax Rams was held in December 2019 and another line- up of bold, strong hill country sheep was presented at last December’s ram sale. “It’s great to welcome people here so they can see where we are, what we’re all about and learn about the development that has gone on over the years.” A Ratanui sale bull. 22 quality bulls go under the hammer on June 29. CERVUSEQUIPMENT.CO.NZ Cervus Equipment is proud to support RATANUI ANGUS! Cervus Equipment, your trusted agriculture equipment supplier. Cervus has partnered with some of the best brands in the business including John Deere, Duncan Ag, Giltrap, Kramer and Lemken. So no matter what your equipment needs are, you can count on us! haydon@waltoncontracting.co.nz | Haydon Walton: 021 223 4411 Main Road, Makaraka, Gisborne 4010 One contractor for all your fencing & earthmovingmachinery requirements Hill Country Hire EARTHMOVING MACHINERY HIRE Hill Country FENCING & BULLDOZING +