NZ Farmers Livestock auctioneer Cameron Smith gains top price of $195 for these Angus cross bulls at the Dannevirke sale on Monday, July 31.
NZ Farmers Livestock auctioneer Cameron Smith gains top price of $195 for these Angus cross bulls at the Dannevirke sale on Monday, July 31.
In just the second four day calf sale of the new season at Dannevirke prices varied according to size, breed and marking of the calves.
NZ Farmers Livestock auctioneer Cameron Smith said a small yarding of 30 calves was to be expected, many dairy farmers not starting calving until August.
Prices varied for Friesian calves between some poorly marked small stock at $75 and good sized calves at $135-145 with a top price for one exceptional calf of $185.
Buyer Peter Whibley moves two of his eight Friesian bull calves towards his awaiting truck.
A yarding of nine Angus crosses reached nearly $200 and Cameron sees this to be the trend for the future. Weaner sales in February of this year earned beef crosses very good prices. "A sale of four Angus cross bulls like these pay for a bull," he said.
Prices were lower than at Rongotea last week but the stock there were larger and in greater numbers. Top bulls went for $200-300.
"Buyers come from out of town to buy when numbers are larger," said Cameron and this will bring them from the Hawke's Bay in the near future. Peter Whibley buys 40 calves a year and feeds them on colostrum saved for him by a friend, then milk powder. He bought eight 'bargains' at this sale. Others put their calves straight onto cows.
