NZ Farmers Livestock auctioneer Cameron Smith gets keen interest from buyers as these Hartridge Friesian bull calves sell from $165 to $215/head.
NZ Farmers Livestock auctioneer Cameron Smith gets keen interest from buyers as these Hartridge Friesian bull calves sell from $165 to $215/head.
Very good prices at the start of the feeder calf sales season July 30-31 should hearten farmers.
Although there were only small yardings — a total of 80 calves over two sales — bidding was keen for well presented feeder calves.
Friesian bull calves were comparable at both the NZFarmers Livestock Dannevirke Sale and PGG Wrightson's Mangatainoka Sale prices ranging from $165 to $215/head for the best.
PGG Wrightson's auctioneer Bjorn Andersen reaches $200/head for these Angus Cross bull calves at Mangatainoka on July 31.
Beef crosses were very popular, Angus X bulls and Hereford x bulls going for $175-$210/head and a few white faces. There were 20 good quality Angus X heifer calves which matched the bull prices ranging from $165- $195.
Some buyers came from Central Hawke's Bay. One said she thought prices were high but she had plenty of whole milk.
Angus X heifer calves leave the NZ Farmers Livestock sale bound for Takapau, sold for $195/head.
Sales continue and livestock agents expect the numbers to swell as the season progresses, attracting buyers looking for larger numbers.
This week there are more sales:
Monday August 6 — NZ Farmer's Livestock Dannevirke A&P Showgrounds Tuesday August 7 — PGG Wrightsons — Mangatainoka Wednesday August 8 — Carrfields — Dannevirke A&P Showgrounds Thursday August 9 — NZ Farmer's Livestock Dannevirke A&P Showgrounds. This pattern will continue over the next two months.
