Farm gear pulls in bids from gumboot crowd

They came from the country, the back blocks and even the city. All wanting to get the right price to pay for that vital piece of machinery they need.

Hundreds flocked to the Kauri Saleyards, north of Whanga¯rei, yesterday for the 51st annual PGG Wrightson Machinery Sale.

Organiser and PGG Wrightson Whanga¯rei stock agent Ian Munro said the event was a chance for farmers to sell old farm equipment and buy some secondhand gear they might need.

Munro said the equipment came from throughout Northland, as did the buyers, with some non-rural folk even getting in on the act.

He said the event was also a chance for farmers and stock agents to socialise away from the farms. “As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” More than 400 items were for sale during the event.

Northern Advocate photographer John Stone went along too.

Maromaku beef farmer Allan O’Connell (left) lifts the lid on a spreader at the 51st annual PGG Wrightson Machinery Sale at Kauri yesterday.Bailey Paene leaves with a set of bull bars for the ute.

Farrier Michael Manson has a catchup with Sharla Cochrane, both from Kauri.

Auctioneer Ian Munro acknowledges a bidder at Kauri Saleyards.

Beef farmers Gary Rolston, from Okaihau, left, and Paul Morrison, from Kaihu, wait for the action.