Page 21 - Hereford Magazine 2021

100-year

milestone for

Wilencote

A bit of rain doesn’t dampen the spirits of Peter and Susie Humphreys on sale day. Photo credit: Gisborne Herald.

There were plenty of hurdles, but a global
pandemic and a bit of rain didn’t stop
Wilencote Herefords celebrating its centenary.
Kate Taylor reports.

ew Zealand was in Covid-19 lockdown in March
and April 2020 and May’s bull walk was cancelled.
The world was in turmoil and New Zealand was
getting used to the new normal. Would Wilencote
Nbe allowed to celebrate its centenary in style?
“We really didn’t know whether or not we were going to
have the sale or a very different-looking celebration,” Peter
Humphreys says.
“As we got the go-ahead, suddenly there were a lot of things
to do,” he says, laughing. NZ Herefords president Colin Corney and general manager Posy
Determined to enjoy the day, Peter and Susie swallowed Moody congratulate Peter and Susie on sale day. Photo credit:
their panic and just got on with it. Gisborne Herald.
“I said to myself, ‘If you’re going to do this, enjoy it. Don’t
worry about it. Whatever happens, happens.’ That was our even bought some bulls. That made it more of a relaxed
approach.” occasion, especially with Neville Clark on the auctioneer’s
The bull sale had a full clearance, with 30 bulls sold for an hammer. He was fantastic, as always.”
average price of $9983, with the two top lots selling for $16,000 Susie says it’s great to have the next generation helping
for commercial duties: Lot 13 was by Glenbrae Latimer, sold to and ready and willing to step in, such as Matt, then-fiancée
the Savage family at Potutu Station, and Lot 22 was by Kairuru Megan Dever (they married in February 2021) and mate
Legend, sold to the Cave family at Mangatoitoi Station. Henry Gaddum.
“We’d had a drought, but as it unfolded, the bulls were good. “The first one, we had to scrum it in because it was too
So it all came together nicely and we were pleased with the quiet, it didn’t want to step into the sawdust,” Matt says with
day, despite steady rain. a laugh, “so I was there and Dad and Henry were pushing it
“We had our son Matt and his mates helping and yarding from behind; it was quiet as a mouse.”
the bulls. It was particularly well supported by friends and After big changes for the 2020 sale, there are a few more to
locals, who made an extra effort to make the 100th sale, and come to make it easier for the bulls to enter the sale ring.

Year 2021 HEREFORD MAGAZINE 19