Nathan and Amanda Bayne offered 49 Holsteins, made up of North American genetics and high-indexing NZ-bred cows.
The star of the sale was a lot 1, six-week-old heifer calf Busy Brook Doorman Hailstorm, a daughter of the two-time World Dairy Expo and Royal Winter Fair Grand Champion RF Goldwyn Hailstorm.
She was sold to Peter Sherriff and family, of Sherraine Holsteins, Kaiapoi, for $35,000.
Next price was $18,000 for lot 3, Busy Brook Wind Miss NZ, a direct daughter of the 2012 Canadian Cow of the year and Royal Winter Fair and World Dairy Expo Grand Champion Eastside Lewisdale Gold Missy.
“Amanda and I were really pleased with how the sale went,” said Bayne.
“Getting a top price of $35,000 for Hailstorm was a standout moment for us, but overall we were very happy with the presentation of all the cows on offer, which is a credit to the team working behind the scenes.
“It’s a big effort to put on a sale like this but well worth it when you see such an enthusiastic gallery of buyers who had travelled from around NZ, and some from Australia too.”
PGG Wrightson Livestock national dairy manager Paul Edwards said, “It is very rare to see such an outstanding offering of dairy cows in one sale. Nathan and Amanda’s breeding programme is world class and they offer a range of genetics because their herd is made up of North American genetics and high-indexing New Zealand bred cows.
“The buyers came from Northland to Southland and interest was strong across all lots, in particular lot 1.
“To see a six-week-old heifer calf sell for $35,000 is a real credit to Nathan and Amanda. It was a privilege to run the sale for them as they are impressive operators and their approach is lifting the game for dairy breeding in NZ.”
The Baynes sharemilk near Duntroon in Waitaki Valley. Their herd of 1000 cows produces 500kgMS/cow average and 1800kgMS/ha.
They began breeding Holstein Friesians 15 years ago, aiming to balance high index with above-average type.
PGG Wrightson said the Baynes imported many embryos over the last few years -- some world-best -- and were excited to offer direct daughters from RF Goldwyn Hailey and Eastside Lewisdale Gold Missy.
They run NZ- and North American-bred cows together in one herd, fed and treated the same, but recorded as two separate herds.
Sales docket
- 13 cows, average $7769
- 20 unjoined heifers, average $7535
- 4 joined heifers, average $4125
- 6 unborn calves, average $4400
- 2 embryo packages, average $4250
- 45 lots gross $303,200, to average $6738.
