Prices firm for Matawhero cattle

SOLID SALE: More than 850 cattle changed hands yesterday in a strong sale at the Matawhero saleyards. File picture

THE cattle sale at the Matawhero saleyards yesterday was a “good sound sale” that saw prices firm on the results achieved in the April sale at Matawhero.

A total yarding of 1050 head went before a predominantly local bench, with some buyers in there from Wairoa and one of two from the Bay of Plenty.

“Very good money was paid on the two-year-old steers yesterday,” said PGG Wightson spokesman Peter McGrannachan.

“The 2-3 year old steers, 250 of them, went for an average $1140 a head, with the top dollar of $1400.”

The top price for any animal sold yesterday was $1800 for one 5-6 year-old bullock.

“There were 90 older heifers up and they went for an average $1035, with a top price of $1340.”

The minimum price achieved with those animals was $625.

“The older bulls, 2 years and over, 44 of them went for a $996 average, with top money of $1145 and a minimum of $800,” Mr McGrannachan said.

A sizeable number of cows were offered yesterday. “The top money there was $1480 for an in-calf cow. The average was around $1100.”

A pen of empty cows made $760 a head.

“There were more than 200 weaner steers sold and the top money was $920, the average $653, and the minimum price paid $400,” he said.

“Just on 200 weaner heifers were presented with a highest price of $830, a minimum of $300 and an average of $556.

“The weaner bulls presented sold for an average $590, with a top price of $1125.

“It was overall a good sound sale with prices firm on what was achieved in the last Matawhero sale.”