Penny and Stephen Baker, of Omakere, were pleased with their purchases at the feeder-calf sale at Dannevirke A&P Showgrounds on Monday. Photo / Christine McKay
Penny and Stephen Baker, of Omakere, were pleased with their purchases at the feeder-calf sale at Dannevirke A&P Showgrounds on Monday. Photo / Christine McKay
The first pen up at Monday's New Zealand Livestock's feeder-calf sale in Dannevirke set the benchmark, going for $260 a head.
Described by auctioneer Cameron Smith as "beauties", the pen of four Friesian bull calves had plenty of size, holding their top price status among the 140 head up forsale.
Regulars at the Dannevirke sale are Penny and Stephen Baker of Omakere, in Central Hawke's Bay. It is the only feeder calf sale they attend.
Kathy Hansen, 3, of Woodville, waiting for her family to load their calves. Photo / Christine McKay
"We rear 170 calves a year and come to this sale twice a week," Stephen said.
As well as bull calves to rear for sale, they bought heifer calves.
"They're handy because we can put them to a bull," Stephen said.
"Our reared bull calves are easy to sell, too."
And when you are rearing 170 head, it's important to have a full load for the trip back home.
"We're pleased with today's sale because we've paid on average $20 a head less than previously for our good Friesian bulls," Stephen said.
The Bakers feed their calves on milk powder, so don't mind buying younger calves, and after 10 days under cover, they're out on grass.
After the high of the first pen selling at $260 a head, prices ranged from $195, down to $105 for the bull calves, with just $60 paid for a smaller animal.
And a great-looking calf, described by the auctioneer as growing to be a monster, went for $165.
Three Murray Grays went for $190 a head, with brisk bidding for the heifer calves, which ranged in price from $210 to $155.
