Good prices were achieved among the 870 animals for sale.
Good prices were achieved among the 870 animals for sale.
In the first weaner bull sale at Dannevirke for the season on November 7 prices were strong as 870 head went under the hammer and reflected prices in other regional sales according to Tim Pickering, PGG Wrightson livestock agent.
Buying interest was predominantly from Hawke's Bay, farmers there having had"a brilliant spring" in the words of one farmer from Ongaonga who bought 50 of the top Friesian bulls including paying the top price of $600 for a line of 28 from David and Lynda Last of Kumeroa.
Two of the top pens of Friesian weaner bulls supplied by David and Lynda Last of Kumeroa and Sinclair Bros of Pahiatua.
The buyer said the calves were in good condition despite the wet conditions in the south and "would take off with some Hawke's Bay sun".
The bulk of the Friesian bulls sold for between $530 and $580.
A large crowd of vendors and buyers watched closely.
Friesian crosses were strongly sought after, the top prices for Hereford X bulls of $675 shared by Grant and Charlotte Bennett and Mathew and Suzanne Jackson. Others ranged between $605 and $655.
Angus X bulls sold for $550-572 while a single line of Murray-Grey X bulls went for $635. Top Hereford X heifers ranged between $530 and $600 but a pen of seven from Elmwood Dairy reached $625.
Bidding was enthusiastic keeping Bjorn Andersen and the PGG Wrightson's team busy.
Angus X heifers ranged between $500 and $510.
The next sale in Dannevirke is November 21 with an expected 600 livestock.
