Price for calves show quality at Dannevirke

Heading for Pongoroa, Marty Hull is pleased with his purchase of these 16 calves.

Prices reflected quality of stock at the NZ Farmers Livestock sale in Dannevirke on Monday and also were on par with the company's Rongotea sales.

Just on 120 calves were up for sale and there was spirited bidding for the top quality stock.

The best Friesian bulls ranged between $155 and $260. Mediums sold for between $80 and $135.

Top price of $260 for these four Friesian bulls started the Dannevirke NZ Farmers Livestock sale on Monday August 28.

As yet there have not been many beef crosses in the sale, with the top half dozen bulls ranging between $150 and $195.

The 10 beef cross heifers all ranged between $105 and $210.

These Murray Grey beef crosses went for $190.

Generally buyers thought prices were slightly down on last week but Steve Baker who bought another 30 to go with the 31 he bought last week, said he paid more for the top stock than last week but less than he budgeted for.

These calves represented the average price for heifers of $155.

Attending his first sale of the season Marty Hull of Pongoroa began his quest for 200 to 300 calves with a purchase of 16, happy with the quality of the medium and top quality calves he bought.