A good yarding of quality seven to 10-day-old calves and keen buyers from Dannevirke, Pahiatua and the Wairarapa made for an excellent sale at Mangatainoka run by PGG Wrightsons.
All 190 calves were sold at an average price of $208.
The best Friesian bull calves averaged between $200 and $235 with good mediums fetching $160-195. Top price went to Darren and Hazel Schroder from Tararua Holsteins, a pen of 10 selling for $235 each.
Beef bull crosses returned good money, the best ranging from $250-300, Hereford crosses and Angus crosses equally popular while the good mediums were $170-240.
Beef cross heifers sold well, with the range of $180-238.
Buyers seemed happy to pay high prices for good quality stock.
Ben Exeter bought eight Friesian bull calves for more than he paid last year, and plans to feed them on milk before selling them off at 200kg.
John Geard bought 27 calves - more than he intended - to start building his herd up to 150, feeding them on milk power on his sheep farm at Mount Bruce.
He came to buy because he bought good calves at Mangatainoka last year.
PGG Wrightson's stock agent and auctioneer Tim Pickering said to expect a good sale like this one every week until October at Mangatainoka.