Wednesday, 13 May 2026 13:55

2026 Holstein Friesian Sales Season Sets Australasian Record

Written by  Anne Boswell
The Land at Lawwal Sale set a new record Australasian record. Photo: Facebook. The Land at Lawwal Sale set a new record Australasian record. Photo: Facebook.

The 2026 Holstein Friesian sales season has already delivered outstanding results across New Zealand and Australia - including a new Australasian record.

Waikato Holstein Freisian breeders Arjun, Anjena and Amreeta Singh, who own and operate Lawwal Holsteins, achieved an average sale price of $12,330 at their Land at Lawwal Sale, a new Australasian record for a single vendor sale.

Top Lots Highlight Elite Holstein Friesian Genetics

Held on farm on April 24, the sale saw a top price of $40,000 for Lawwal A2P2 Miranda P-ET VG89 max, and Lot 50: Pick of the Lambdas went for $16,000, the proceeds of which went to the Starship Foundation.

"We are incredibly humbled by the support we received," Amreeta said.

"Thank you to all the purchasers for backing our breeding programme; your support means a great deal to us."

Busybrook Sale Delivers Strong Genetics Pricing in Oamaru

Earlier in April, several other Holstein Friesian sales were held.

On April 10, the Best of Busybrook sale was held on farm at Nathan and Amanda Bayne's property in Oamaru.

The top price was $40,000 for an in-calf heifer, sired by Farnear Delta Lambda-ET and from the renowned Caught Eye cow family, closely followed by $38,000 for the choice of an unborn calf out of the world-famous Erbacres Snapple Shakira.

Notably, 13 Westcoast Alcove daughters were sold for an average of $13,000, with the overall sale average hitting $11,540.

Waiokura Sale Sees Strong Local and National Demand

On April 20, the Welcome to Waiokura sale was held on farm at Hawera. Owners Rhys and Tamara Parry said in the age of online sales, they appreciated the effort of all who came along, buyers or not.

"Animals have gone the length of the country, and it was pleasing to see a strong proportion stay local," they said.

"We look forward to seeing how they perform."

In milk cows averaged $3,812.50; in-calf R2 heifers averaged $3,957.50, and R1 heifers averaged $2,467, with an overall average of $3,639 average across all sale lots.

Ferdon Genetics and Woodcote Sales Add To Strong Season Momentum

On April 22, Ferdon Genetics held its 'Chase Your Dreams' sale on farm at Otorohanga, with Holstein Friesian offerings averaging $7,000, and achieving a top price of $12,000 for a Farnear Delta Lambda-ET in-calf heifer.

And on April 23, the Welcome to Woodcote sale was held at Te Awamutu with Lot 12, a Westcoast Alcove in-calf heifer from the Lara cow family, topping the sales at $16,000, closely followed by a Sandy-Valley Icarus in-milk two-year-old for $15,000.

The sale - facilitated by Woodcote owners Gordon Fullerton, Andrew Fullerton and Pete Smith - averaged $5,860.

Australian auctioneer Brian Leslie presided over all five sales.

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