Each of the Tararua feeder calf sales had its own characteristics over the past week.
New Zealand Farmer's livestock had a very good sale of just over 100 calves on Thursday, August 23, vigorous bidding driving prices up to a top of $255/head for white faced bulls although there were not many on offer, Friesian bulls down a little at an average of $150/head and heifers reaching a top price of $180/head.
The pattern was not repeated at its Monday, August 27 sale, a disappointing number of buyers scoring real bargains for quality stock, the top price for Friesian bulls being just $125/head and many not making $100/head.
PGG Wrightsons' sale at Mangatainoka had its largest offering of the season at 126 on Tuesday, August 28, half of them being white-faced. Friesian bulls topped out at $170 and ranged between $130-165 for good quality animals. White-faced and Angus crosses reached $180/head for bulls and $130-150 for heifers.