Top quality at weaner heifer fair

This pen of 30 weaner Friesian X Hereford heifers from Colin Kerr, at Ngātapa, topped Wednesday’s weaner heifer fair, selling for $830, weighing 285 kgs.Picture by Trevor Brown

There were 863 weaner heifers sold at Wednesday’s Matawhero Weaner Heifer Fair, plus about 50 older cattle, a much smaller yarding than in previous years.

The quality was excellent, but there were only four outside buyers operating from South Auckland to the King Country; consequently, many were sold to local farmers.

Generally the heifers were heavier this year, but prices paid were about 50 cents/kg down on last year’s prices.

The first seven pens sold from $3.61 to $3.03/kg. Afterwards most pens sold at less than $3/kg, including some weighing over 250 kgs which were good buying.

The highest price of $830 went to Colin Kerr, at Ngātapa, for a pen of 30 Hereford X Friesian heifers, weighing 285 kgs.

Best prices: Colin Kerr, 30, $830, 9, $700, 7, $670; Carl Hamlin, 35, $825, 22, $680, 17, $565, 5, $425; Marika Station (2020 Ltd), 45, $800, 40, $640, 16, $550, 4, $370; RD Blair, 22, $800; HD&W Boyce, 9, $780, 10, $655; Piritaha P/S, 33, $760, 10, $630; Rangiata P/S, 22, $750; Rose Haynes, 9, $740, 6, $600; Whangara B20 Station, 40, $730; I L and S C Cooper Family Trust, 27, $710, 14, $635, 6, $615; Rick Gardner, 6, $680; Mangapoi Station Ltd, 43, $665, 23, $535, 9, $565; Mangahauhau Hampshires, 18, $660, 3, $550; Paringatai Farms, 8, $650, 4, $520; Mokonui Station Ltd, 30, $640, 9, $630, 17, $595, 11, $575; Marangairoa C4 Block, 63, $640, 20, $520, 9, $420; Kerley Agriculture Ltd, 7, $640; Andrew Falloon, 8, $640; Tiki T Waitoa, 6, $640, 9, $555; Rakm Holdings, 12, $630, 6, $560, 7, $540, 8, $400; Kowhairau, 18, $620; Kaka P/S, 8, $620, 2, $500.