At the Dannevirke Store Cattle sale on Thursday, February 9 more than 1300 steers changed hands for a total of $1,717,245.
PGG Wrightsons stock agent Roger Watts said in terms of prices it was "a very solid sale" with prices per kilo $3.40 for lighter stock and $3 for heavier steers. He also said the 1313 stock yarded was 200 up on this time last season.
There were 326 rising 2½-year-olds ranging from Wiha Farm's top price of $1610 to $1400 for lighter stock. Wiha's steers averaged 568kg. Angus dominated but there was strong demand for Simmental and Charolais.
Nearly a thousand 18-month steers were yarded, again predominantly Angus.
Top price of $1500 went to SC Herbert's Angus steers but he also had three yardings of Charolais going for $1490, $1480 and $1455. The latter pen averaged 534kg in weight.
Prices were lower for lighter weight steers but they seldom slipped below $1100 and overall the price averaged approximately $1250.
Buyers came predominantly from the Manawatu, Wairarapa and Wanganui areas. One buyer said his colleagues like to buy from Dannevirke because steers from here thrive well.
Auctioneer Bjorn Andersen said it was a good sale.
He said, "Very good lines of cattle sold for very good prices and that is how it should be."