An Angus bull has sold for an eye-watching €55,441 ($98,000 – New Zealand Dollars), while his counterpart has changed hands for $85,000 (€48,086) across the waters in New Zealand.
Stern Razor 521 headlined Stern Angus’ annual sale of 106 lots which took place virtually on Bidr on June 22nd, 2023.
The sale-topper was born in August 2021, is by Taimate Lazarus L12 and Stern N941, herself a Te Mania Powerhouse 14434 daughter, and is understood to be the highest-priced bull this season in New Zealand.
According to James Fraser, “he is a top bull with a great hindquarter, a deep chest and a very docile nature”.
“Lazarus has been a feature NZ sire and this chap is no exception. He has a great balance of data and type and is in the top 10% for API.”
On his heels at $85,000 (€48,086) was lot number 37, Stern 21602 (PV), born in September 2021 and out of Black Rock of Stern and a Thomas Up River 1614 (IMP USA) daughter, Stern M599.
According to Fraser, “he was a standout yearling and was used heavily over cows”.
“He is a half-brother to a top bull into the Nevis Valley last year. He has amazing spread from BW to 600 days and top scrotal and IMF, along with being in the top 1% for calving ease.”
“Black Rock has bred a tremendous spread of performance from low birth weight to top growth and carcase traits,” he added.
James Fraser
Catherina Cunnane, editor of www.thatsfarming.com spoke to James Fraser following the sale and he told us:
“The sale produced the quinella of top prices in NZ this year. The record-priced bull bidders were both placing bids in absentia through phone and live online platforms.”
“The sale was attended by a huge crowd with high expectations, and they were not disappointed.”
“The approximate hundred bulls offered sold to an average of $11,300 to buyers throughout the country. Australia has expressed interest in semen from the bulls.”
The Stern stud was established in 1937 by Robert Fraser whose father worked on the Mulben stud in Scotland before emigrating to New Zealand in the 1880s.
Stern Angus herd is an 86-year-old third-generation family-run stud business, which “takes pride in practical, performance cattle”.
The farm “does not focus on a single trait” and handles the sale of 150 bulls annually to all farm types and environments”.
See more farming news on www.thatsfarming.com
, while his counterpart has changed hands for $85,000 (€48,086).){kind=link}