City born and bred, 20 Simmental yearling bulls could fetch a hefty price tag

Auckland's Cornwall Park, more often associated with family picnics and weekend walks, will host a livestock auction next month. The woolshed facility will be the site for the sale of 20 yearling Simmental bulls, with the proceeds to aid in covering operating costs such as lawn mowing and fencing. The farm manager, Peter Maxwell, has been in charge of the Simmental stud and a flock of approximately 250 Perendale ewes for the past two decades.

These 20 quiet and naturally polled bulls, which lack horns, are expected to be highly sought after due to their reduced danger to people and themselves. Maxwell explained that the sale follows a breeding line that has been in operation for several years and explains that while private buyers have been purchasing these Simmental bulls for some time, this year's auction provides a more structured platform.

The farm currently houses 62 Simmental purebred cows, with calving ongoing and nearly halfway complete. The bulls are raised on the 72-hectare inner-city property that surrounds Maungakiekie One Tree Hill and is bordered by Epsom and Royal Oak suburbs. Strong global beef prices have fueled a record-breaking bull sales season, and Maxwell hopes that this year's auction will capitalize on that trend.

The farmland contributes to assisting with other expenses, and the sale, which will be available online via the Bidr platform to cater to farmers avoiding Auckland's traffic, is set to take place on September 2nd.