Pedigree Holstein Friesian cattle show their worth in 2022

Pedigree Holstein Friesian cattle have again proved their worth with an exceptional local sales season, held in April and May 2022.

Eight Holstein Friesian studs held special or complete dispersal sales with prices that surpassed the expectations of a challenging season.

Canterbury’s Tahora Farms received the two highest prices for any individual Holstein Friesian animal sold this sale season, with their catalogue cover girl, Tahora Octane Love, fetching $30,000 at their “Party at the Pub” sale on April 29. Love, who was sold to Karen Fitzgerald of Feilding, was Intermediate Champion and All Breeds Champion at the 2021 Christchurch Show, and All Breeds Champion at 2021 Ellesmere Show.

In-calf cow Tahora Mogul Paris, bought by D & P Fullerton of Waipiri Holsteins, fetched $28,000. The sale, held at the Tai Tapu Pub in Canterbury, averaged $9,486 over 70 lots.

Up in the Waikato, an incredible 800 people attended the Lawwal Holsteins ‘The Legacy’ sale, held on the Singh’s Waikato farm on April 22.

Held in honour of Aman Singh, the sale raised $34,500 for the Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust and Heart Foundation NZ.

Fifty lots were sold for an average of $7,207, with the top seller Lawwal Lambda Loana-ET at $27,500 to AD & SK Jenkins, Y- Not Holsteins (Huntly).

The pick of two July-born daughters from Farnear Delta-Lambda x Butz Butler Gold Barbara EX96 went for $19,800 to the Triple B Syndicate (Rotorua).

Two complete dispersal sales, Okawa Holsteins and Bushview Holsteins, averaged prices of $3,066 and $3345 respectively.

Okawa Holsteins held their sale on April 7 on farm at Te Awamutu, achieving a top price of $10,000 for the imported ET Australian cow Okawa Wilson Lady-ET VG88, who was sold to the Horn Family from Manawatu.

The next highest price was $9,200 for Okawa Assassin Kara GP84, purchased by the O’Leary Family at Wanganui.

Stratford’s Bushview Holsteins held their dispersal sale on April 19, a herd that was one of the highest producing milkfat herds of registered Holstein Friesians in the country.

In-calf cows averaged $4,196; empty cows averaged $3,390, in-calf heifers averaged $3,830 and R1 heifers averaged $1,962.

The Taranaki Holstein Friesian Branch Combined Breeders’ Sale was held on April 12, yielding results that exceeded all expectations.

“Lots averaged $3,780 and in reflection, the sale was a good example of lifting the bar a wee bit with nice genetics, presented in a good way,” Taranaki Branch member Wayne Taylor said.

The top price was $14,300 for an in-calf heifer, Lot 14 Muritai Omah Wylow-OC S3F, who was sold via Bidr to a breeder in the Waikato.

Holstein Friesian NZ President Doug Courtman said looking at these sales, it was evident that anyone who questioned the importance of pedigree status was well off the mark.

“At times AB companies question the need or value of pedigree status, and stock firms often neglect to advertise sales as containing pedigree stock, misguidedly fearing this will have a negative impact on a sale,” Doug said.

“Impressive special edition sales by Tahora and Lawwal averaging around $9,500 and $7,200 respectively have shown what quality stock and outstanding promotion can achieve.

“Dispersals of both the Okawa and Bushview pedigree herds achieved around a $4,000 average, nearly $2,000 above commercial herd sale averages. Other sales as well have achieved excellent returns to vendors, all the while proving the value of pedigree status.”

Doug said although it was disappointing to lose established herds such as Okawa and Bushview, along with others that were sold as complete herds, it does provide the opportunity for breeders to access elite genetics.

“I have been impressed by the number of new and often younger breeders that have invested in these genetics,” he said.

“The Holstein Friesian breed will be in good hands if these newer younger breeders take full advantage of the services HFNZ can offer to promote their studs and therefore genetics.”