Top price of $80.50, for the day, was shared by a line of 321 very good cryptorchid lambs bought by Alan McLeod from Feilding and 61 black face lambs bought by Douglas Duncan of Te Kumu Estates.
In years gone by, a highlight to the start of the farming year in the Rangitikei was the annual Hunterville Lamb Fair held in early January – with yardings of 15000-plus lambs. However, these sales are no more and rather than flood the Feilding market, the Lilburns decided to hold an inaugural on farm auction.
At around 1860 ha each, both of their properties are steep hill country with 130ha of easier terrain beside the Turakina River, which flows through the farms.
The shorn lambs were presented in outstanding condition considering the dry period the area had before Christmas, with the lines presented being very even. The lambs had been weaned onto hill country crops in the week prior, and stock from this area, 25 kilometres inland from Hunterville, in the Turakina Valley, is renowned for its shifting ability.
The white face lambs are sired by Cheviot-cross Kelso rams out of Romney ewes, while the black face lambs by Suffolk rams from Kevin Nesdale at Kimbolton. Lilburn has lifted his stock performance markedly through a number of factors, including using Kelso genetics and strategic fertiliser usage. The lambing percentage for last year was 136%.
The 14 lines – ranging in number from one of 61 black face lambs, through to the largest of 1872, that sold in four cuts, bidding was spirited and PGG Wrightson auctioneer Keith Wilshire didn’t have to work too hard to secure the sales.
Prices ranged from the $80.50 down to $53.50 for a line of 263 smaller woolly cryptorchid lambs on account of Dean and Teresa Cunningham who lease 400ha of the Drysdale property from the Lilburn family. The Cunninghams sold another line of 289 better woolly lambs at $63.50, and these went to Mark Toulmin who has properties in Hawke Bay. The sale average price was $66.50/head.
Buyers attended from the Wairarapa, Hawke Bay, Manawatu and locally. Prices were regarded as being around $3-5 above the Feilding store market. Agents thought the sale was good, with competition from the estimated 150 people who attended.
It was a great day out for the locals, agents and buyers, but somewhat of a gamble for the Lilburn’s. Their hospitality was outstanding with plenty of food and refreshment provided. Speaking to Hugh after the sale he was happy with the outcome, and although a first sale, it now may become an annual event.
