Okahu bull prices down

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 688, 27 May 1997, Page 5

Okahu bull prices down

The 27th Okahu Polled Hereford bull sale for Pat O'Neil and his family was held last Wednesday. Wrightson' s auctioned in conjunction with Williams and Kettle. Before the sale commenced a tribute was

paid to Pat, his son Kelly and the O'Neil family for their commitment to good consistent Hereford stud farming. Bulls presented were born between August and October 1995. Bulls sold included Okahu Revelation

Q3, $2,400 (to Wanganui); Okahu Shelford, $1,800 (Rotorua); Okahu Dowd, $1,400 (Sue Bros); Okahu Clarke, $ 1 ,500 (Sue Bros); Okahu Fitzpatrick, $5,100 top price (to John Donald, Ohakune); Okahu Osborne and Ruapehu Kirwin (on account ofKA O'Neil) both $1,800 (to Dick Coleman); Okahu Donald, $1,300 (to the Donald family); Okahu Cullen and Okahu Brook went to Sue Bros. for $ 1 ,600

and $1,300 respectively. Eleven lots were passed, but with somebuyers negotiating later. Mr O'Neil expresseddisappointment at the prices and auctioneers said the prices were much lower than last year. There were about 60 buyers and interested parties at the sale - the first on the Hereford circuit - from the Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay , Manawatu, Rangitikei and

Wanganui. Before the sale, a story was told of Mr O' Neil when he first had a pet bull 70 years ago. As he was preparing to take it for its usual walk, his father poured a bit of petrol over the tail and off Pat went. A couple of hours later he returned without the bull. When asked where the bull was Pat said "Oh, he ran out of petrol and I had to leave him with a heifer"!