10 Jul 2020

Talking Bulls - Wilencote Polled Herefords turns 100

From Country Life, 9:21 pm on 10 July 2020

A Wilencote Polled Herefords bull sale in the early days Photo: Supplied

Wilencote Polled Herefords introduced the hornless Hereford breed to New Zealand back in the 1920s and the Humphreys family still runs the stud today, with the fifth generation waiting in the wings.

On a rainy day last month the stud celebrated its 100th birthday and farmers, friends, stock agents and would-be buyers gathered in the family's bull yards to help them blow out the candles. Country Life's Sally Round joined them.

Peter and Susie Humphreys on sale day

Farm worker Danny Pieron carved a special sign for the 100 year celebration in the tradition of this home region in Switzerland

Wilencote polled Herefords ready for viewing before the auction

The Humphreys brought the first Polled Hereford into New Zealand from the US in 1929 but the original stud was established in 1920

Wilencote memorabilia and branded merchandise ready for successful purchasers on sale day

Caroline Cave and Nancie Barclay were among neighbours, friends and family at the sale

The sale begins

Sale day was a day for much for formal attire back in the early days of the stud