The September sales in Northland and Waikato have come to an end and most vendors were happy with their increased averages compared with last year, PGG Wrightson auctioneer Cam Heggie said.
He provided highlights of registered bull auctions, where stud breeders competed with commercial dairy and beef cattle farmers.
Auctions of registered yearling Angus bulls began in Northland at Te Atarangi, Pouto Peninsula, where 94 sold for an average of $3024 and a top price of $5800.
The Stiz-Stokman sale at Waikite Valley, Central Plateau, averaged $4107 for the 52 sold, with a top price of $12,000 paid by Totaranui Stud, Wairarapa.
Waitangi Angus in Bay of Islands had a full clearance of 70 yearling Angus bulls at $3522 average and a top price of $6200 paid by a commercial farmer.
Takapoto Angus, at Karapiro, Waikato, sold all 38 bulls for an average of $3365 and a top price of $12,000 paid by Hallmark Angus, Tutira, Hawke’s Bay.
Twin Oaks Angus, Te Akau, Waikato, sold 19 of 23 bulls offered for an average of $2826 and a top price of $5200.
Among the Hereford sales during September the Newcastle stud at Ngaruawahia, Waikato, achieved a top price of $10,000, paid by Mangahina Herefords, of Masterton. Newcastle averaged $2800 for all 17 sold.
A top price of $8000 was paid by Capethorne Herefords, Cheviot, north Canterbury, at the Craigmore Hereford sale, Ohaupo, Waikato, where all 79 sold for an average price of $3213.
Kokonga Herefords, Port Waikato, had a complete clearance of 38 bulls with a top price of $6200 and an average of $3136.
Mahuta Herefords, at Glen Murray, north Waikato, recorded an average of $2350 for 67 sold out of 70 offered.
Nearby Hukaroa Herefords at Waerenga, made $3060 for two-year bulls and $2525 for a full clearance of 73 one-year bulls sold.
At Colville, Coromandel, the Kairaumati Hereford Stud sold 24 18-month bulls for $3295 and 22 one-year bulls for $2634.
The considerably enlarged Hangawera Station unregistered Hereford bull sale in eastern Waikato sold 265 bulls for an average of $2500 and a top price of $3000.
There were nearly 100 registered buyers and demand was keen among dairy farmers.
Heggie said the prices paid for four-day calves this year showed a strong preference for Hereford-Holstein-Friesian breeding with $230 to $300 for bull calves and $140 to $180 for heifer calves.
Farm Source livestock manager Trevor Hancock said Maungahina Herefords in Masterton averaged $2000 for yearling Herefords and $6800 for Speckle Parks.
Bushy Park Herefords, Te Awamutu, sold two-year bulls for $2900 and one-year for $2250.
The large Washers service bull sale at Oakura, Taranaki, saw Hereford and Angus bulls sell for an average of $2700, Friesian and Ayrshire bulls averaged $2000, three-year Jerseys were $1800, two-years $1600 and one-year $1000.
Hancock’s comment was that Herefords were in strong demand for crossbreeding with Holstein Friesian dairy cows while the demand for Jersey bulls had tailed right away.
