Online auction goes well
A first on-farm clearing sale using a hybrid auction platform delivered a “fantastic result” for Galatea farmers Shaun and Kelly Bicknell.
Butler’s predominantly Friesian herd will be going up for sale in Matamata at the end of June.
Butler’s herd have an average herd breeding worth (BW) of 121 and production worth (PW) of 139. The top BW in the herd is 239 and PW 435.
Maurice admits he always “chased BW, always mating to the country’s top bulls.
“In the early days culling was based on improving conformation and udders but it’s been difficult finding anything to cull over the last few years. The 200-cow herd and 53 R2yr and two R1yr heifers which go up for sale on 30 June are deep bodied with lovely udder and good legs.
“We have a high stocking rate (3.4 cows/ha) so the cows are used to working hard. Average per cow production is 430kgms from a relatively low input system – we feed pellets and maize.”
Maurice says the herd are like members of the family. “I can look at the cows and know their dams and breeding background. I can walk up to most of them in the paddock, they’re so quiet,” he says.
The decision to retire and sell the herd has been a difficult one and sale day (30 June) won’t be an easy one for Maurice, Jenni and their family.
Maurice is confident, however, that the cows and replacements will be sought after by farmers across New Zealand and will “complement any herd”.
The Butler clearing sale is expected to draw a large physical and online presence when it takes place at 11:30 on Tuesday 30 June.
For further information contact Michael Conwell, phone 027 226 1611 or www.mylivestock.co.nz/events
