30 | Top bull genetics on show at sale Pourakino Downs’ Gordy Shearing with top bull Glacier Unique, who will have calves on the ground this spring. Karen Phelps MEAT & WOOL » Pourakino Downs Pourakino Downs continues to invest in the best genetics available with the most recent purchase being Glacier Unique, who will have calves on the ground this spring. Purchased for $28,000 last year, Glacier Unique was one of the top priced bulls that year and has all the qualities Pourakino Downs was seeking to enhance its herd. Glacier Unique comes on the back of the addition of Locharburn Mort to the stud in 2019 – the top price paid that year – who likewise had strong attributes: good feet, dark, well fleshed and good figures including carcass data, low birth weights and good growth. The annual stud sale is coming up on 29 May. Called the Hauroko Valley Bull Sale, it sees the stud join with Waiau Herefords, Pikoburn Angus and Wainuka South Devons, which will all offer stock. PGG Wrightson stock agent Callum McDonald is helping to facilitate the sale and says that Hauroko Valley Bull Sale,held by Lake Hauroka near Tuatapere, is popular, drawing buyers from the region and beyond. Pourakino Downs is run by Gordon (Gordy) Shearing and wife Lorraine. It’s located between Riverton and Otautau in Western Southland. They started the stud in 1983 with ten cows. By careful investment in genetics from studs such as Waikaka Station, Waiau Hereford, Glacier Horned Herefords, Shrimpton’s Hill Herefords, Locharburn Herefords and Earnscleugh Station, the stud has grown to around 70-80 cows. Gordy says Pourakino Downs stock has a strong following from farmers seeking proven horned genetics. He says he uses his eye and experience when selecting genetics rather than just relying on figures. It’s been a recipe for success with Pourakino Downs producing some top-notch animals. A good example is Pourakino Downs Jasper, which was sold to Glacier Horned Herefords on the West Coast. Pourakino Jasper’s semen was exported to Australia and some of the resulting progeny have been exceptional and sold for top dollar, which Gordy says has really put Pourakino Downs on the map. Gordy says he is truly passionate about his stud targeting a well-fleshed, well-framed cow with good colour and sound feet. Gordy and wife Lorraine run the farm themselves with no staff. Their operation also involves buying in around 200-250 calves each year and fattening the progeny. “It’s a nice event for the community here with out of towners getting to see what a great place this is. It’s pretty isolated here, right on the edge of Fiordland and people come from far and wide – the West Coast, Otago, Southland and even a few North Islanders.” Proud to be associated with Pourakino Downs GRAEME SHEARING EARTHMOVING Contact Graeme 027 2928047 graemeshearingearthmoving At Hauroko Valley Bull Sale Pourakino Downs will offer around 15-20 bulls to the market including progeny of Locharburn Mort, which were offered for the first time last year and sold well. Callum says the sale will be a good opportunity for farmers to get their hands on some of the best stock. “It’s a nice event for the community here with out of towners getting to see what a great place this is. It’s pretty isolated here, right on the edge of Fiordland and people come from far and wide – the West Coast, Otago, Southland and even a few North Islanders.”
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