10 | Incredibly high standards for his auction Dean has been running Tahora Farm since he took over from his parents Jim and Judith back in 1987. Photo: Dianna Malcolm. Sue Russell DAIRY PEOPLE » Dean Geddes It’s an exciting and busy time for Dean Geddes and Jo Youl, as at the time NZ Dairy spoke to them they were preparing to stand up a selection of their pedigree Holstein cows at an auction in late March. The auction, however, had some unique aspects to it, as Dean explains. “We stood up 75 pedigree females in conjunction with Glenella and Snow Fed Farms,” Dean says. And its not only cows that were put under the auctioneers hammer, Lot 69 was a deep pedigree polo pony, the first Dean believes, to be stood up at public auction in New Zealand. When Rural South caught up with Dean the sale catalogue was just being posted and he said its always great to see the long list of animals being auctioned in print. Back in 2022, Tahora Farm held what was said then to be their last auction ‘Party at the Pub’, actually stages at the Tai Tapu pub. “Yes, I had said it was definitely the last as I prepared for semi-retirement, however I had one more sale in me by the looks of it.” Dean has incredibly high standards when it comes to deciding which cows to put up for auction and, not surprising its a very impressive line-up – the culmination of generations of carefully selected genetics. As usual the T L and A families feature strongly. TAHORA SIDEKICK LEGACY2 89MAX was Supreme Champion Holstein at this year’s NZ Dairy Event, while TAHORA PHARO ABRIANA was named Supreme Champion Dairy Cow at the Christchurch Show 2024. “We’re expecting a real buzz of interest at the auction and when the pony is presented for sale its going to be something really special.” Josh Norton is engaged at Tahora Farm as Contract Milker. Josh is keen to see the herd increase to 400 requiring Dean and Jo to look for more land. Dean’s approach to breeding is based on simple commonsense. “Our priority has always been to breed in the qualities that make a good dairy cow. An animal that will produce high amount of milk from a great udder and carry the ability to walk long distances. If you get these right, the rest seems to take care of itself.” Dean has been running Tahora Farm since he took over from his parents Jim and Judith back in sales.canterbury@thinkwater.co.nz • Call 03 324 3880 www.thinkwatercanterbury.co.nz Services and Solutions • Irrigation • Pivots • Drainage • Plumbing • Effluent • Stock Water • Pumps • Water Reticulation • Servicing • 24/7 Breakdown FERTILISER SPREADING | FARM MAPPING GPS TRACKING | VARIABLE RATE SPREADING LIVESTOCK CARTAGE | DAILY FREIGHT CONCRETE SUPPLIES | GRAIN CARTAGE SHINGLE SUPPLIES | FERTILISER SUPPLIES Leeston: 03 3248 070 | Dunsandel: 03 3254 039 reception@ellesmere.co.nz www.rurallivestock.co.nz Hayden McCarthy 0274 730 802 Proud to work alongside Tahora Farm “You cannot beat NZ Wool it is naturally grown from grass” Main West Coast Road, Yaldhurst, RD 6, Christchurch 7676, New Zealand Phone: +64 3 342 6223 Email: ywlwool@nzwool.com Web: www.nzwool.com 1987. The farm is 160 ha with a further 50ha in two blocks leased to grow supplements and run the heifers on. The herd is split milked, supplying Synlait all year round. In winter the herd is kept off the pasture and housed in a barn built 11 years ago, so it is well set up with all the necessary infrastructure to operate successfully. So if, in fact, this auction is the last one Tahora will present a collection of their top Holstein cows, Dean will no doubt find plenty to do, including playing his beloved Polo at the Port Hills Polo Club. “We’re certainly looking forward to seeing how the market responds to our selection. The cows will be presented in top condition and the buyers will be spoilt for choice.”
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