“We’re just super-excited, overwhelmed and humbled by the incredible support shown by stud breeders and our loyal, ongoing commercial buyers.
“Lot 3 is a magnificent bull. He is very hard to fault,” she said. “He’s very soft, very well-balanced, phenotypically correct, with excellent structure, along with performance data … he is the complete picture.”
The bull’s mother had seven sons in the Kaharau sale.
As well as the $220,000 and $165,000 bulls sold on transfer to stud, Lot 4 sold to stud for $70,000 to Colvend Angus (King Country); Lot 5 for $28,000 to Penvose Angus (Ranfurly); Lot 11 for $85,000 to Tapiri Angus (Masterton) and Elgin Angus (Hawke’s Bay); Lot 28 for $30,000 to Shian Angus (Taumarunui); Lot 33 for $23,000 to Bannockburn Angus (Fox Glacier); and Lot 37 for $30,000 to Okaka Angus (Taihape).
From left are Nick Carr and Penny Hoogerbrug from Kaharau Angus, Duncan Campbell from Earnscleugh Station, Sarah Adams and John Harrington from Rolling Rock Angus and Ardrossan Angus representative Ross Waller from Central Livestock, pictured with the $220k bull sold out of Kaharau. Photo / Angus NZ
PGG Wrightson genetics representative Emma Pollitt summed up the Kaharau success in one word – “wowee” – and said it was well-deserved.
“They’ve stuck to their guns while taking the stud forward and by crikey they got the formula bang on this year,” she said.
“The majority of stud bulls sold were the result of embryo flushes of top Kaharau cows, blended with rock-solid bulls.
“Head and jaw, tops and tails, a good bit of bum, impeccably quiet and bone without being coarse. Throw in a balanced data set, a trusted pedigree and there you have it.
“Loyal repeat buyers were relentless in their pursuit of securing their chosen picks, which made for a fast-paced auction with plenty of competition.”
Angus New Zealand congratulated Kaharau on setting a ”phenomenal” new record.
“A huge congratulations also to the successful purchasers, Rolling Rock Angus and Earnscleugh Angus, securing an outstanding sire in partnership with Ardrossan Angus,” the organisation posted on social media.
“What an incredible result and a testament to the strength, demand and continued progress of New Zealand Angus genetics.
“The 2026 sale season continues to deliver history-making moments for the breed.”
The Tangihau sale at Rere on Monday morning drew a big crowd. The stud enjoyed a sell-out auction, including a top price of $100,000. Photo / Emma Pollitt
Tangihau Angus also had a total clearance sale at Rere on Monday morning with 56 out of 56 sold at an average of $24,500.
Transfer sales to stud included Lot 19 for $30,000 to Tarangower Angus (Mahoenui); Lot 25 for $100,000 to Kenhardt and Orere Angus; Lot 35 for $30,000 to Tarangower; Lot 42 for $80,000 to Ratanui Angus; and Lot 51 for $24,000 to Tawa Hills Angus at Motu.
“There was another massive crowd there for it,” Pollitt said. “It was another impressive team of sale bulls right through the catalogue. The bulls expressed the ideals for Tangihau – guts, butts and performance.
“Loyal repeat buyers got stuck in, with some nice sire teams put together. Dean McHardy [Tangihau studmaster] is a very astute cattleman and it showed in the quality and depth of the offering.”
Whāngārā Angus, in conjunction with Tawa Hills from Motu, had its sale on Tuesday morning and Turihaua Angus’s sale was to follow in the afternoon.