The 2023 Holstein Friesian sales season has marked the end of an era for not one, but seven established Holstein Friesian studs.
Holstein Friesian NZ President Doug Courtman said the dispersal of prominent and proven members’ herds is bittersweet: as we bid them a fond farewell, the sales provide opportunities for other breeders.
“Many newer and often younger members have taken that opportunity to access proven genetics to establish their own studs,” Doug says.
“While the returns this sale season have not, on average, matched those seen last season, they are still well above those recorded by unregistered herds.”
Some sound prices were procured for high quality animals, with Rockview Doorman Selice EX (Gary and Karen Peters, Stratford, Taranaki) the highest selling lot from all 2023 Holstein Friesian sales: Selice sold for a whopping $25,000 to Joyclas Friesians (Palmerston North).
This was followed by Waiau Rem Rasberry-ET S1F (Jim and Sue Webster, Waitara, Taranaki) selling for $18,800 to Shaun and Anna Thomas, Balclutha (Yellowstone); Aron-Amy Nirvana Oprah S2F (Craig and Raewyne Passey, Palmerston North) selling for $15,000 to Robert and Anne-Marie Bruin, Otautau (Meander Holsteins); and Cresslands King Doc Lily (Stewart family, Canterbury – Canterbury Collection Sale) selling for $13,000 to K & MK Singh, Hamilton (Lawwal Holsteins).
Two of the sales were combined breeders’ sales – the Taranaki HFNZ Branch Combined Breeders Sale, comprised of five Taranaki studs, and the Canterbury Collection, comprised of a number of breeders throughout the South Island.
Fermoy Holsteins, Westell Properties, Fantastic Farms, Rock View, Aron-Amy, Waterside and Rivendell Holsteins all farewelled many years of breeding Holstein Friesian cattle with full dispersal sales.
Owen and Cathy Copinga of Rivendell Holsteins said goodbye to almost 40 years of breeding Holstein Friesians, having established the stud in Mangakino in the mid-1980s. Rivendell has been based in Otautau, Southland since 2002.
“In all that time we have kept learning about the Holstein cow – its production potential, type traits and endless breeding combinations,” Owen says.
“Provenance is one of the marketing trends today, and the pedigree Holstein Friesian breeder is ideally placed to meet this. Every animal here has a story, and I could write pages on every animal we have for sale. The story would be about the deep cow families with all their special attributes, and the breeders we have met along the way, many ending up being life-long friends.
“We step away from breeding Holstein Friesians confident that our animals will add to the breed wherever they go.”
Holstein Friesian NZ General Manager Cherilyn Watson said the sales have proven that quality pedigree stock is valued by farmers across the industry.
“While it is sad to say goodbye to some long-time breeders, it is also a pleasure to welcome new breeders and the next generation to our membership.”
HFNZ Taranaki Branch Combined Breeders Sale
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Held on the property of Gary and Karen Peters
Stratford, Taranaki
SALE AVERAGES:
In-Calf Heifers: $2,184
Cows: $2,325
Yearling Heifers: $3,120
Highest selling lots: Muritai Nippon Wyn-P S3F sold for Laurie and Kate Phipps (Rangeview) for $5,000, and Muritai Chuck Lydia S3F sold to Paul and Lesley Grey (Maranui) for $5,000.
Fermoy Holsteins End of an Era Full Dispersal Sale
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Stewart and Julia Eden
Gore, Southland
SALE AVERAGES:
Cows: $2,620
In-Calf Heifers: $2,545
Yearling Heifers: $1,450
Highest selling lot: Fermoy Byway Tori VG87 sold to Bradley and Nicole Parkes (Bradnic Partnership) for $9,000.
Dickson’s High BW In Calf Heifer and Carryover Cow Second Stage Dispersal Sale
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Murray and Julie Dickson
Puketotara, Waikato
SALE AVERAGES:
Cows: $3,873
In-Calf Heifers: $3,843
Highest selling lot: Dicksons Arrow Marieta-ET S2F sold to Alan Butler (A A Butler Family Trust) for $8,500.
Westell Holstein Friesians Herd Dispersal Sale
Friday, April 14, 2023
David and Wendy Harker
Hamilton, Waikato
SALE AVERAGES:
Cows: $2,706
In-Calf Heifers: $2,410
Highest selling lot: Westell Einstein Mardy sold to Stefan Buehler (CView Trust) for $8,250.
Fantastic Farms Second Stage Dispersal Sale
Monday, April 17, 2023
Vaughan and Kristy Clarke and family
Morrinsville, Waikato
SALE AVERAGES:
Cows: $2,156
In-calf Heifers: $2,400
Yearling Heifers: $2,156
Highest selling lot: Fantastic Unix Maple-ET sold to Michael Gilbert (Glenalla Farms Ltd) for $10,000.
Rock View Dispersal Sale
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Gary and Karen Peters
Stratford, Taranaki
SALE AVERAGES:
Cows: $3,869
In-Calf Heifers: $3,542
Yearling Heifers: $1,836
Autumn Calves: $1,333
Average on all live lots: $3,173
Highest selling lot: Rockview Doorman Selice EX sold to Robbie and Anna James (Joyclas Friesians) for $25,000.
Canterbury Collection Sale
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Canterbury-Westland Branch of HFNZ
Held at Rangiora Showgrounds
SALE AVERAGES:
Holstein Friesian animals average: $6,150
All animals sale average: $5,740
Highest selling lots: Cresslands King Doc Lily sold to Arjun Singh (Lawwal Holsteins) for $13,000, and Belbrook Solomon Steffen-ET sold to the Clark Brothers for $13,000.
Aron-Amy Dispersal Sale
May 3-4 and 8-9, 2023
Craig and Raewyne Passey
Palmerston North, Manawatu
SALE AVERAGES:
Across all types: $2,352
Highest selling lot: Amy Nirvana Oprah S2F sold to Robert Bruin (Meander Holsteins) for $15,000.
Waiau Trust 5th Annual Quality In-Calf Heifer and Cow Sale
Friday, May 5, 2023
Jim and Sue Webster
Waitara, Taranaki
SALE AVERAGES:
Across all types: $2,965
Highest selling lot: Waiau Rem Rasberry-ET S1F sold to Shaun and Anna Thomas (Yellowstone) for $18,800.
Waterside Autumn Dispersal Sale
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Raymond and Delwyn Forsythe
Waitoa, Waikato
SALE AVERAGES:
Across all types: $1,875
Highest selling lot: Waterside WA Amy S2F sold to Dennley Farms, Tirau for $3,600.
Rivendell Milking Herd Dispersal Sale
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Cathy and Owen Copinga
Otautau, Southland
SALE AVERAGES:
Across all types: $2,943
Highest selling lot: Rivendell Delta Alice VG89 sold to Dylan Lynch and Natasha Maybee (Lyncrest Dairies Ltd) for $11,000.
Footnote: All averages are subject to minor discrepancies, due to lots being sold after the sale.
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