Fathers, who suggested they try leasing. For the client, leasing means not having to carry the capital cost of buying bulls, and they aren’t exposed to the market risk associated with selling bulls after mating. “Last year, farmers who bought bulls probably would have been better off financially because the schedule stayed up. But in previous years it hasn’t always worked out that way,” says Dave. About half the lease bulls are Jerseys, for heifer and herd mating, with the balance beef bulls. Kevin Fathers acts as lease coordinator and lease numbers have doubled since the business started. Dave says some farmers will lease one bull a year and some will lease up to 40. But the average client takes 8-10 bulls. Lease bulls go out for mating between September and November and return during December/January. The farmer pays the cost of freight to the farm and the Mackenzies pay for the return journey. Most of the two-year Jerseys will be kept for another year of mating, the two-year beef bulls will either be sold at the autumn sale or finished at about 30-months. This season, about 600 beef bulls were
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6th Annual Yearling Bull Sale FRIDAY, 24TH SEPTEMBER 2021 1:00 PM AT 43 FINLAY ROAD, CAMBRIDGE Viewing of bulls from 11:00 AM SALE BULLS SIRED BY: • GB FIREBALL 672 • MUSGRAVE STUNNER • MUSGRAVE BLACK LOCH • STORTH OAKS K20
• TAKAPOTO 15/167 • TAKAPOTO 17/11 • HEATHER DELL ATTRACTIVE P20
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Visitors always welcome. For all enquiries, contact: Sam LeCren M: 027 474 9989 E: sam@takapoto.co.nz www.takapoto.co.nz
Country-Wide Beef
May 2021