Forrester Auction - 13th December 2024

It’s hard to believe another year has rolled around—time flies when you’re busy! This past year has certainly been an interesting one for farmers. The change in Government has eased some of the more burdensome regulations (for now), allowing us to focus on what we do best: producing the finest products in the world.

While the velvet sector has faced a few challenges, I’m optimistic these are temporary and that a bright, prosperous future lies ahead for this cornerstone of our industry.

Venison prices this season have been encouraging, with the market showing upward momentum. As an industry, I believe we’re well-positioned to sustain and even accelerate this growth. The USA presents significant opportunities, as does China, while our traditional European markets remain vital. Extending market demand to create year-round supply opportunities is an exciting challenge we must embrace.

On the home front, there are promising signs of recovery in national breeding hind numbers. I believe we’ve turned a corner, and this upward trend is essential for meeting growing demand. Producing the right types of cuts to match market expectations will be key to maintaining this positive trajectory.

This brings us to the Forrester Sires. These stags represent the culmination of years of dedicated breeding. I’m incredibly proud of the animals on offer and continually inspired by the glowing feedback we receive from clients. With a high percentage of repeat buyers, it’s clear these Forresters are proving their worth in commercial operations, consistently delivering outstanding progeny.

This year’s line-up includes a balanced mix of heavily weighted English stags and a few with a touch of European influence for those seeking a different appeal. You’ll also notice the hardy German influence which perform as an English stag will. We’ve invested considerable time and effort into selecting these stags, ensuring they meet the high standards we demand. Their performance in your operations is something we confidently stand behind.

You’ll notice a strong representation from two standout sires, Husky and Bruiser. These exceptional English sires epitomize the traits we value most: correct phenotype, temperament, parasite resilience, growth, muscling, and velvet. Their progeny are big, gentle giants with outstanding qualities to match. Although there’s no Magnum progeny in this sale, he’ll make a strong return next season.

For those unable to attend the sale in person, we’re pleased to offer real-time online bidding via BIDR. More details are available in the catalogue.

Finally, we warmly invite all potential buyers to view the stags prior to sale day. For private viewings, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Mark, at 027 779 9008.

We look forward to welcoming you to this year’s sale and thank you for your continued support of the Forrester program.