South Canterbury livestock reps added the sale to their calendar this year and it might be the first of three in the next couple of months.
The first of those sales offered nearly 2200 calves, down on the advertised 2700 but well supported by buyers as far afield as the North Island.
Peter Walsh and Associates representative Craig Buckley said prices were quite favourable with 100-110kg Hereford-Friesian calves consistently making $480-$510 and good 120-130kg calves $550-$600.
Another agent’s report said the small Hereford-Friesian market was held together by two main buyers and heifers made identical prices to the bulls. Hereford-Friesian 85-100kg bulls and heifers traded at $470-$525 and 101-115kg made $520-$560.
Friesian and Friesian-cross bulls made up 65% of the total yarding and two North Island buyers added certainty to the market, though they kept to their budgets.
One of those two outside buyers focused on the 90-110kg calves while the other was intent on 110kg plus so there was little cross-over in the bidding. Most lines about 100kg made contract value of $450-$470 and 110-115kg made $465-$490.
Buyers had to be pushed past $500 with only 130kg-plus stock attracting higher bids. The lighter end, 75-95kg, traded at $340-$460.
Buckley said the sale was a forerunner to the larger IHC calf sale on December 12. There might also be another sale in mid to late January if numbers warranted.
The closure of the Tinwald yards at Ashburton was a factor in the growing number of dairy-beef weaners for sale, Buckley said. Temuka was now the largest selling centre in the South Island.
