$60,000 for this guy - no bull

Grassmere Gallant 244 just missed out on becoming the top priced bull this buying season after bidding finally closed at $60,000 for a North Canterbury syndicate to become the new owners.

Gallant led the catalogue at the combined Grassmere and Capethorne Hereford bull sale last week near Cheviot.

Grassmere Herefords owners Chris and Amanda Jeffries watched a strong bidding duel from the opening bid of $8000. Stud owners from Beechwood and Richon Herefords were the successful bidders on the day.

The bull slipped narrowly under the $62,000 paid this month for an angus bull at Springdale Angus in central North Island sold to Tangihau Angus Stud in Gisborne. However, the Jeffries can claim to have sold the highest priced hereford bull over the last five years.

Gallant is the son of Monymusk Gallant, which the Jeffries bought in

2013 with a syndicate of buyers for

$71,000. The wisdom of buying Monymusk Gallant in 2013 has been repaid many times as the Jeffries have also sold its sons for $40,000 and $42,000.

PGG Wrightson auctioneer John McKone said the bull showed all the characteristics of a modern day hereford.

‘‘Grassmere Gallant 224 is a perfectly put together, moderate framed bull with good skin and colour. He is deep chested, has softness, with excellent muscling and a very good nature,’’ he said.

An angus bull, Te Mania Matrix, also bred near Cheviot, made the top price of $35,000 at the first video sale of bulls to replace the Beef Expo event at Palmerston North in May.

In the North Island, Martonbased Pine Park stud owner Ed Sherriff said he was pleased that 34 of the 37 bulls offered were sold at his on-farm stud sale last week.

‘‘A lot of the buyers were regulars, so they liked our bulls and came back to buy more. They are our bread and butter. But there were some new buyers too. Some people go out of cows, or retire, so you always need fresh blood.’’

Sherriff said it had been a hard year to raise excellent bulls with a wet winter and spring, following hard on the heels of a dry summer.

Buyers Rob Stokes, left, from Richon and Beechwood’s Rob Burrows, auctioneer John McKone, and Grassmere’s Amanda and Chris Jeffries with Grassmere Gallant 224.