A well-sized donation is headed the healthcare system’s way after Okawa Farm’s Hereford sale.

Despite the chill out Surrey Hills way, hundreds turned up for this year’s bull sales at Okawa farm.

The average bull went for $8007, according to NZ Herefords, with 47 of the 52 bought up.

Co Owner Nick France said global beef scarcity factored into the event’s large turnout.

“America is dry, the cow herd’s well back, Australia’s similar, and because of the trees and silly stuff being planted in New Zealand, it means there’s less beef cattle around.

“It bodes well for good genetics.”

France and wife Penny run the Hereford stud on the 950 hectare property – a legacy that’s existed since 1954.

The sale is a chance to showcase that legacy, with 52 of the best bulls getting put up for auction.

“We sell bulls all over the South Island, and more often than not the North Island as well,” France said.

“We’ve got very good repeat customers, and that’s kind of a barometer of how well your stud’s going, if people keep coming back and buying them.”

The most sought after bull this year costs its buyer $18,000.

He said while there was a good turnout this year, bidders were cautious due to low beef prices over the last few years.

“I think that was pretty fair.”

The last animal up for auction was France’s “pick” of the upcoming heifers.

It netted $7500 on the day, a number he was “very happy” about.

That full amount will be donated to the Burwood Spinal Unit, and the NZ Spinal Unit Trust, a way for France to say thank you after using their services last year.

“I had a thing called Cauda Equina [Syndrome], which I went down with in October, it’s basically compression of the spinal cord.

“I had emergency surgery, and spent two months in the spinal unit learning how to walk again.

“And a couple of years ago, our lead stockman’s [father] Murray got put in a wheelchair from a fencing accident.”

He said a “generous donor” had promised to match the heifer sale and add that to the donation total.

“It’s pretty cool, and they deserve it.”

Central Otago farmer Gray Pannett bought the prize heifer, which his farm will receive this time next year.

“It’s a really good opportunity, because it’s potentially the best heifer he’s bred.”

He didn’t bid on any bulls, but said farmers in the room felt prices were slightly better than last year.

But all sales will be this year, farming’s looking a bit better than it was this time last year.”

The heifer will make its way to Lime Hills next year, who’d had their stud sale a few days before.

by Anisha Satya