Saturday, March 30, 2024

Weaner buyers in paradise

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Buyers drove into the Upper Clutha high country for Tuesday’s annual weaner sales and made the most of the sunny conditions, buying good calves at good prices.
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“It was our third on-farm day since the Cromwell yards closed and the first fine day so buyers saw what paradise is like,” PGG Wrightson’s Otago regional livestock manager John Duffy said.

Across the four locations and seven vendors 1214 calves were sold at an average of $840.

About 45 buyers were registered, attracted by the traditional breeds and well-bred calves, all Angus or Angus-cross or Herefords. 

“They’ve got good reputations, all from quality cow families and the vendors get in the best bulls so there are a lot of repeat buyers,” Duffy said.

The sale started just under Mt Aspiring at Mt Aspiring Station then moved to the biggest sale at West Wanaka Station then to Alpha Burn Station at Glendhu Bay before heading to Hillend Station in Cardrona Valley where smaller numbers were also brought in from Highlandburn Partnership, The Larches and Avalon Station. 

With a favourable spring and summer cows had done very well and the calves showed the benefit being healthy with good, shiny coats.

Sale numbers were similar to last year with prices back some but not to the extent of earlier weaner sales around the country where prices have been down $100 to $150 a head. 

“The average wasn’t too far behind and some of the top prices for the top Angus and Angus-cross steers were close to last year,” Duffy said.

In that category demand was really strong and prices ranged from $1000 to $1130. Medium offerings were $850 to $950.

The top Hereford steers were $890 and mediums $810. 

The top Hereford bull calves fetched $1050 to $1070 and medium animals $920.

Among the heifers the top Hereford-Angus sold at $820 for breeding and straight Angus from $605 to $775 with the best-priced of those also having a breeding future.

Other heifers were sold for finishing with medium Angus-cross at $650 to $730 and Herefords at $540 to $625.

Most vendors keep their better heifers for breeding and the calves on offer were  mainly a bit lighter. 

Duffy said the on-farm sales were the most balanced and fairest of the last three years with prices over the last couple of years being at levels where buyers struggled for margins as they fattened the stock.

“Buyers are more cautious and the vendors are accepting that and they’re both quite happy.”

Quite a few of the calves were bought by buyers around the Wanaka region with others heading to Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, North Otago and Southland. 

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