News & Events

PGG Wrightson Stud Tour programmes:

Glencairn Limousin (Feb 2013) View here

Snake Gully Limousin (Nov 2012) View here

Limousin animals for sale (click here)

2012 Otago-Southland Carcass competition - NEW! (click here)

2012 Future Beef results - NEW! (click here)

Te Moana Nui Limousin website - NEW! (click here)

 

2012 Canterbury A & P Show

The 150th Canterbury A & P Show was held in Christchurch mid November 2012 and is the largest agricultural show in New Zealand. Because of its anniversary status this year's cattle entries were well up on recent years. The Royal visit (Prince Charles & Camilla) certainly added some public interest to proceedings.

Two breeders exhibited Limousin cattle. The James family (Ben More) are stalwarts of the show and exhibited four yearling heifers and a cow with calf at foot. Gary Kennett and Marilyn Montgomery (Piwakawaka) exhibited a yearling heifer and bull, a R2 heifer and a cow with calf at foot. Ian Bucknell (Australia) was the invited judge.

The Supreme Champion Limousin was awarded to Ben More Emma, a stylish dam with a striking bull calf-at-foot, owned by the James’ family. Emma had earlier taken out the Champion Senior Female award with Piwakawaka Florence (owned by Gary & Marilyn) being named Reserve Champion.

Ben More Darcie (owned by Gary & Marilyn but bred by the James’ family) with an Urban Cowboy heifer calf-at-foot won the Performance Plus Class.

The Ben More team took out the top three places in the yearling heifer class with a very even line-up of quality heifers. This included two polled heifers from a Mandayen Guardian A488 bloodline.

Champion Yearling bull was awarded to Piwakawaka Guardian owned by Gary & Marilyn, and sired by A488 (MGS: ROMN Justice).

Ben More Gemma gained 3rd place in the All Breeds which was an outstanding achievement given the very large numbers in this class. The judge was Geoff Bush (NSW).

Duncan James was also placed a very creditable 2nd in the Junior Beef Stock Judging competition. Limousin contributed one of the three teams of four animals used for judging (the others being from Angus & Hereford) and the young judges found ranking the four Limousin heifers quite a challenging task.

Other Show highlights included Roger James being awarded a 150th Anniversary medallion for his services to the A & P Society, and Warrick James celebrating his 50th birthday during the three day Show. As cattle chairperson, Warrick should be congratulated for organising such a successful Show this year.  It was also great to see Craig Corby & Tamara (Goldstein Park) pay a visit whilst on holiday in NZ.

2012-13 South Island Bull Trial

The 5th Annual South Island Bull Trial began early September with 14 quality bulls entered from 7 breeders. The trial is again based near Dunsandel. The organisers thank Merial and Virbac for their generous sponsorship. The bulls will go through a nine month evaluation with the sale scheduled for Monday 20 May 2013 (1pm).

2012-13 North Island Bull Trial

The 19th Annual North Island Bull Trial began early October with 19 quality bulls on entry. The trial is again based near Morrinsville (Scotsman Valley Road). The bulls will go through an eight month evaluation with the sale scheduled for early June 2013.

South Island Bull Sale tops at $9000 (21 May 2012)

The 4th Annual South Island Bull and Invitational Female sale was held Monday 21 June.  The bulls had all come through the ten month South Island bull evaluation trial.  Breeders from throughout the country were well-represented at the sale.  As expected there was strong interest for the higher performing animals.

The top price of $9000 went to Riverheights Fred, an impressive bull bred by Don & Delma Robertson, and purchased by Colin & Jennifer Phillips from Southland.  $5700 was paid for Springcreek Friend, a very stylish bull bred by Bob & Grace Neill and purchased by commercial buyers Neville and Bernadette Leslie from Balclutha.

The average selling price for the bulls was $4128.  Unfortunately the lack of commercial buyers at the sale meant a number of lots were passed in.

The invitational female sale that followed again proved its worth with all but one lot selling.  Whilst prices were down on previous years it seems that breeders recognise this as an opportunity to obtain quality genetics.

Our special thanks must again go to Brian O’Connell who again did an outstanding job managing the bull trial this past season.

Strong North Island Bull Sale (5 June 2012)

Twenty bulls were presented for sale at the 18th Annual North Island Bull Sale near Morrinsville (NZ) on Tuesday 5 June.  26 bulls entered the North Island bull evaluation trial last October and the vigorous testing regime reduced this number to 20 by sale time.  Despite adverse weather, a pleasing number of stud and commercial buyers attended.  The umbrellas and wet weather gear did not prevent buyers from pulling their hands out of their pockets to bid.

Top price of $8000 was paid for Lot 2, an apricot son of Mandayen Vision Y329 bred by Daryl & Jan Bott and purchased by Stephen & Belinda Clearwater for stud use.  This bull had exceptional length with a very nice top line and was supported by an impressive set of EBVs.

Second highest price at $7200 was Lot 8, bred by Kevin & Marion Wickens and purchased by repeat commercial buyer G Crombie.  This bull was assessed 1st place in the trial and impressed with his thickness and nice top line.  Both his sire and dam are from Snake Gully bloodlines.

Kevin & Marion Wickens then paid the third top price of $4800 for Lot 12.  Bred by Erik & Lyn van der Velden (Ag Farming Ltd) this bull impressed with his softness and easy calving shoulders.  He was sired by Mandayen Guardian A488.

Overall 17 bulls sold for an average price of $3438 with the organisers declaring it a success.

Special thanks must go to James & Leigh Needham who hosted and managed the trial on their beautiful property for the first time, and also to Liz Maslin who worked so hard as Convenor.

Snake Gully Sale tops at $12000 (12 June 2012)

17 bulls and 8 females were presented for sale at the 18th Snake Gully Limousin Sale at the Maungakaramea Sale Yards (NZ) on Tuesday 12 June.  The vendors (Dannie & Bethley O’Shea and Natalie & David Roberts) had done a superb job in preparing them for sale day.  A good crowd and a pleasant winter’s day set the scene for what was a successful sale.

The top price of $12000 was paid for Lot 3 Snake Gully Forge, an apricot son of Wilodge Tonka out of a dam with an Ionesco and Highlander background, and purchased by Tim Grant of Temoananui Limousin (Milton) for stud use.  Rarely has such an impressive young bull been offered for sale within NZ in recent years and the price reflected the quality of this animal.  A growthy type bull, Forge was balanced and structurally correct, with good length and width along the topline, and supported by an impressive set of growth EBVs.

Second highest price at $6500 was Lot 7 Snake Gully Fleetwood, another impressive bull sired by Wilodge Tonka, and purchased by commercial buyers Kohete Trusts Partners (Inglewood).

Lot 2 Snake Gully Fergus was third highest price at $5200 and purchased by Colin & Jennifer Phillips (Tuatapere).  Sired by ROMN Tow Truck, Fergus had scanned with the highest EMA.

Repeat buyers Murray Child, Phil Gaudin, the Liberty Fishing Company and Mangatawhiri Limousin Stud headed a strong competition for the remaining lots of a very even line of bulls from some bloodlines not commonly available in New Zealand.  Apart from ROMN Tow Truck and Wilodge Tonka other sires included Sauvignon, Vigot, On-Dit and Premier Dauphin D27.

Overall 16 bulls sold for an average price of $4237.

Three mixed age cows were presented and sold with an average price of $1633.  Top price of $2000 was paid for Lot 21, an Ionesco daughter, and purchased by Ag Farming Ltd (Erik & Lyn van der Velden) of Mangatara Limousin (Whangarei).

Four of the five heifers sold with an average price of $1975.  Top price of $3100 was paid for Lot 22, an impressive Mandayen Guardian A488 daughter, and purchased by Peta Lean & Murray Kivell of Kivlean Limousin (Hamilton).

The vendors provided scanning information for all lots and had DNA tested for proto status and F94L.  This information was appreciated by the buyers present.

Malvern A & P Show

The Malvern A & P Show was held at Sheffield, Canterbury 24 March 2012. Two breeders exhibited Limousin cattle again this year. The James family (Ben More) exhibited two cows with calves at foot. Gary Kennett and Marilyn Montgomery (Piwakawaka) exhibited a pair of yearling heifers.

Whilst a small show in comparison to others, the beef cattle section was well attended with good representation from Charolais, Angus, Lowline and Hereford.

Ben More Tessa was awarded supreme Limousin with Piwakawaka Florence being runner-up heifer in the all-breeds. Both Phoebe and Bridget James did well in winning their respective handling classes with Duncan James second in his intermediate class.

Oxford A & P Show

The Oxford A & P Show was held at Oxford, Canterbury 31 March 2012. Again it was an early start for the two breeders involved. The James family (Ben More) exhibited two cows with calves at foot. Gary Kennett and Marilyn Montgomery (Piwakawaka) exhibited a pair of yearling heifers.

The Oxford Show enjoyed good entry numbers for both the beef and dairy sections. Limousin enjoyed great success with Ben More Tessa being awarded supreme champion (beef section) for the Show. She therefore had the honour of leading the beef section in the Grand Parade. It was pleasing to see a Judge actually reward longevity in a cow rather than pay lip service to it. Tessa is a rising 14 year old cow that still looks amazing with great feet and a good udder, with a very nice calf-at-foot.

2011 Canterbury A & P Show

The Canterbury A & P Show was held in Christchurch early November 2011 and is the largest agricultural show in New Zealand.

Two breeders exhibited Limousin cattle. The James family (Ben More) are stalwarts of the show and exhibited three cows with calves at foot. Gary Kennett and Marilyn Montgomery (Piwakawaka) exhibited a pair of yearling heifers and a pair of two year old heifers.

Ben More Tessa FT20, by Wintershall Jupiter, was paraded with a well muscled calf-at-foot and took out both Senior Female Limousin and Supreme Champion. The James Family have taken Tessa to many shows and at 13 years old proves the longevity of the Limousin breed. She was perhaps the oldest cow across all breeds being shown this year.

Piwakawaka Erin (s: ROMN Justice) won the two year old class from a quality line-up. The Judge Jane Allan bravely placed her above two very well-presented young cows with calves-at-foot, Ben More Emma and Ben More Ecole.

In the yearling class Piwakawaka Florence was judged Champion Senior Yearling with Piwakawaka Fern second. Fern was sired by Mandayen Vision Y329 and attracted some attention being a black Limousin heifer.

The Limousin stand alongside the animals attracted good interest from visitors and often led to a discussion about Limousin.

Thank you to Bob & Grace Neill as stewards and Shaun Thomson for their assistance during the Show.