40 | Bulls fetching highest price in region The farm carries Angus registered stock comprising 400 in-calf mixed age stud cows, about 100 heifers, 200 commercial cows that are mated with a Simmental bull to produce terminal progeny. Russell Fredric RURAL PEOPLE » Whangara Angus The reputation of Whangara Angus as a top New Zealand stud is well established, with its commercial bulls commanding the highest price in its region at its last sale. In July last year, Whangara 330, sold for $92,000; this was just $500 short of the top price paid in New Zealand, for a bull sold out of Fairlie. Located on 1100 hectares between Gisborne and Tologa Bay, Whangara Angus was taken over in March 2021 by Tom Sanson and Andrew Cribb from former owner Patrick Lane whose family had farmed the hill country in Whangara since 1929. The sale agreement was unusual, Tom says. “We didn’t actually buy the farm, we purchased all the stock that they had, and we signed a 20 year lease on it which was unique in itself, almost unheard of. It was put out to tender as a 20 year lease.” The pair have brought solid skills and knowledge to the farm; Tom has been a stud owner and manager for over 12 years on his family’s 800 hectare farm, while Andrew has a veterinary business based in Gisborne and also owns another farm independently.Consequently, the farm where Whangara Angus is based employs staff to run its day to day operations.“We’ve been friends for a long time and that naturally led into business,” Tom says. “We’ve got a general hand, we’ve got a shepherd and a farm manager. I oversee the farm manager and I do a lot of the background stuff with the stud, all the mating programme and organisation. I have regular meetings with Andrew, more at a strategic level and we play things that way.” The farm carries Angus registered stock comprising 400 in-calf mixed age stud cows, about 100 heifers, 200 commercial cows that are mated with a Simmental bull to produce terminal progeny, and last year finished nearly 10,000 trading lambs. As a way of connecting with and blessing the Whangara community, the stud donated $7,500 to the local school from last year’s sale. Tom and Andrew have an ambitious vision for the stud’s breeding programme which includes an unwavering focus on breeding values and data-driven decisions so they can put forward the best bulls and always share their genetics in their entirety. Keenly aware how important high-functioning stock and structural soundness are, they are uncompromising when it comes to sourcing top genetics, with animal performance and profitability central in all of their investment decisions. Consequently, in September 2021 they secured the exclusive New Zealand semen rights to top Australian sire, Millah Murrah Rembrandt R48. The purchase of this $240,000 second top priced sire through a three-stud syndicate marks a milestone achievement, Tom says. “We are really excited by what he brings to the mix in structure and type, which is strongly backed up by impressive performance and a great set of figures.”In addition to Rembrandt R48, we further bolstered our genetics toolbox through 93 Gladstone Rd PO Box 1247 Gisborne 4040 Ph: 06 869 1234 Fax: 06 867 8357 E: post@grahamdobson.co.nz www.grahamdobson.co.nz Our Services: Farm Business Administration • Personnel Recruitment Specialist knowledge in Farm Accounting • Human Resources Management Investment Advice and Business Advisory Services Your Business Our Services Your Success ‘You have the vision, let us help you get there!’ Proud to support Whangara Angus 0800 100 123 | ravensdown.co.nz the purchase of five other bulls as well as a 50% share in another.”In 2021 the stud secured four top priced bulls including one from Te Mania Angus purchased in partnership with neighbouring stud Turihaua Angus.“We also bought a couple of high priced bulls last year; one from Twin Oaks at $58,000 and one from Waitangi Angus at $57,000.”
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