Dorset Downs and Dorset Down/Southdown X rams well received by enthusiastic following at popular annual Central Otago sale

One of Central Otago’s most significant annual ram sales, at Craigneuk Farm, Maniototo took place in mid-January.

Craigneuk rams comprise Dorset Downs alongside Dorset Down/Southdown X, plus three-quarterbreds, halfbreds and quarterbreds. Of 278 rams offered at this year’s sale, 265 sold for a clearance of 95 per cent, and an overall average sale price of $1362.41. Top price was $5000 for a three-quarterbred Dorset Down, bought by local PGG Wrightson clients the Greer family.

Craigneuk’s sale has an enthusiastic regular following, with buyers from as far afield as Marlborough and Southland.

Farmed by Johnny Duncan and wife Geraldine, alongside his parents John and Judy, Craigneuk has been in the family since 1992, farmed in conjunction with Awatea, a nearby property that the family has owned since 1998.

Their main objective on the farm is to maintain regular all round production through the seasons, turning over a diversity of income throughout the year. As well as their rams, the Duncans fatten up to 10,000 lambs per annum, all born on the property,  plus running 140 gelding stags and 200 cattle, alongside a recently established hunting business, focused on pheasants and deer.

Johnny and Geraldine’s teenage children Briar, Jock and Toby are also keen farmers and are set to continue the Duncan family’s long association with the land, which traces its roots in Wedderburn back to 1860.

John Duffy, Callum McDonald and Ryan Dowling, ably supported by auctioneer John McKone, with Ben McKerchar assisting with auctioneering this year for the first time, led the PGG Wrightson Livestock team for a successful day at the sale.