Tangihau Angus has paid a record $168,000 for a bull from Taimate Angus, just days before the station’s own sale.

“Every year I travel around New Zealand, around all the studs, and try to find something that’ll suit our programme that’s got very good data and something that’ll improve the genetics on Tangihau,” Station Manager Dean McHardy says.

“For a start, he’s got to look like a bull, he’s got to look like a sire.

“He’s got to be very good on the ground and very good on his feet, so he’s not gonna pack up getting around the steep hills.”

Taimate Angus Lot 3 ticked all the boxes for McHardy.

“He had all that, he had a data set, EBVs that I’ve never seen on a bull before.

“He is very quiet, with a very good temperament, which is a big thing for us these days.”

Tangihau’s own record sale last year reached $161,000.

“What makes a bull worth $161,000 is two determined studs to get him, and that pushed the price right up, a bit like what happened yesterday.”

He says the commercial judges were into them, paying $20,000 up to $30,000.

“It’s the old saying, 10 weaners are the price of a bull, and weaners these days are averaging $1,800, so there’s $18,000.

“Farmers have got a bit of money in their pockets now, and they’re wanting to better their genetics and that’s what they’re doing.”

The station has seen Angus break a lot of the hills in.

“Especially on the East Coast around Gisborne, Angus have been here for 150 years.

“They can go from snow to drought and get back and calf, rear a calf, and they’ve got that hardiness about them.”

Tangihau’s own sale will see about 130 bulls go through the ring on Monday from 10am. McHardy is hoping for a good turnout, with 250 people attending last year.

“The East Coast is the end of the Angus sales, there are no bulls after that, so for people that are needing a bull, this is it.”

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