The two Simmental studs — Gold Creek at Te Karaka and Kerrah at Whakaki — contributed $830,000 in total.
Hereford studs Mokairau at Whangara and Wilencote at Ngatapa added a further $402,000.
More than 360 Angus rising two-year-old bulls were sold at auction, along with over 100 Simmentals and about 50 Herefords.
Across all the sales, all breeds, fewer than 15 bulls were passed in unsold at auction, and almost all of those were sold privately afterwards.
The auction highs included the stud record-equalling $72,000 paid for Lot 2 at the Turihaua Angus sale on Tuesday afternoon, bought by Dean McHardy’s team from Tangihau at Rere.
“A young stud bull with a big future,” was how he was described.
That was the highest price paid across all the region’s R2 sales this season.
Angus took out the next highest spots as well, with two from Tangihau selling for $68,000 and $62,000, followed by Wairoa stud Turiroa Angus’ top price of $42,000.
Close to two dozen bulls sold in all the breed sales went to other studs across the country. The clearance rate was described as “outstanding” by long-term industry observers.
It was not just about the bulls during Angus Bull Week. A sizeable number of visitors, including would-be buyers and supporters, visited Gisborne for the two days of selling in the district.
Among them was long-time stock auctioneer Pat Cooper, of Napier, who was the special guest at Kaharau’s 50th year sale on Monday night. He sold that stud’s bulls for 25 years.
The man who led most of the auctions as auctioneer, Neville Clark, said it had been an “amazing” season.
“When you think about everything that God has thrown at us weather-wise, the breeders across all breeds have been able to knuckle down and get their bulls up to selling quality,” Mr Clark said.
“That’s something that no other regions could replicate.
“The fact that we have natural resilience, not only in our cattle but in our people, is something I reckon we should be very proud of.”
This region continued to be renowned for the quality of its beef cattle of any breed, he said.
“Hence the results that we see year in, year out when it comes our bull sales.
“As long as we stick to the basics, and add the appropriate genetics and other influences to our breeding programmes, we will continue to influence the beef industry throughout this country,” Mr Clark said.
“I was a bit nervous coming into the sales season about how things might go this year because of the land use changes and the weather issues.
“But we have stood the test of time and the stud breeders have delivered an exceptional product.
“To have sold all but 0.1 of a percent of all bulls offered is unheard of.”
PGG Wrightson genetic representative Emma Pollitt was also among the sales action as part of the up-front auctioneering team at the Kaharau sale. It is believed to be the first time a woman has been part of an auction leading rostrum.
“After a rough first half of 2023, it was encouraging to have the region’s bull sales be so successful across all breeds,” she said.
“With so much against us, the vendors worked hard to present lines of bulls that were first-class and they were duly rewarded when sale day came.
“It was great to see many buyers from across the country and strong local contingents support the sales, which speaks to the standard of bulls presented.”
She echoed Mr Clark’s comments when she said: “Everyone should be proud of their efforts after such challenging circumstances.”
“We’re all looking forward to next year already.”
