Lin Johnstone wins Supreme Champion Angus Bull at National Sale

The three generations of Johnstone men were proud of the temperament of their bulls.

After he'd collected a couple of category awards at the National Bull Sale this year, Whanganui stud breeder Lin Johnstone felt he better give everyone the news.

The man at the helm of Kai Iwi-based Ranui Angus was retiring after 65 years in the game.

"I announced then that I was getting out," said Johnstone.

The crop he'd shown at the National Sale on May 14 would be his last and he received a standing ovation from the other breeders gathered at the ceremony in Palmerston North.

"As I was going back to my seat I heard someone say 'what happens if you win the championship?'

"I said that would be a bugger, wouldn't it?"

He'd never picked up the Supreme Angus award - but his son and his father had.

After all the other awards were handed out, the judges finally got to the Supreme Champion Angus Bull.

Johnstone's bull known as Ranui 16627 was indeed declared supreme champion.

"I had a son that had won it and a father that had won it ... I was bloody pleased not to be shown up, thank you," Johnstone said.

"No, it was pretty intense," he said of the moment. "Bowing out on a good note."

Johnstone said he had always bred bulls with a good temperament and he thought that played a factor in him getting the supreme award.

Johnstone's father had started breeding bulls in Te Puke before the family moved the business to Whanganui in 1981 where there was more demand.

Johnstone's winning bull went on to be sold for a price of $27,500.

A typical bull sold by Ranui Angus goes for a price of about $5000.

Lin Johnstone and his family had been regular features at the National Sales over the years with some 240 bulls appearing.

As Lin Johnstone settles into retirement his son Lindsay will take over Ranui Angus and continue breeding.

Ranui Angus will have its annual sale of two-year-olds on Thursday, June 7 at 3pm.