Warren Burgess, Brett Burgess, Carl Burgess, Bruce Murray, Alan Wilson and Colin Martin have either personally provided animals or their family farms have since the first sale in 1958.
PGG-Wrightson auctioneer Robin Gamble said the Owaka sale was unique throughout the country.
"Most saleyards in smaller places have closed and shut down but Owaka is still thriving," he told a large crowd at the start of the sale which attracted more than 800 calves.
He said the families would have easily offered tens of thousands of animals for sale over the five decades.
The Owaka sale always attracted strong buyers and sellers, keeping the event "as vibrant as ever", he said.
All six men were presented with a gift from the rural livestock company.
