Markets for various classes of dairy livestock will be busy through the rest of winter as farmers look to take advantage of positive prospects for milk production.

Jamie Cunninghame, PGG Wrightson National Dairy Livestock Manager, said this season’s feeder calf sales are proceeding free of the negative influence of M bovis.

“Significant quantities of calves are set to go through the sales in the coming weeks. As risks associated with the disease are now better understood, the uncertainty of the past two years around dairy beef has diminished. Rearers will have plenty of calves to choose from, which is positive as the red meat industry depends on their efforts to keep the beef supply chain operating.

“For anyone rearing feeder calves and uncertain about business risk or feed availability, PGG Wrightson is on hand to negotiate forward contracts linking rearers to farmers, either to finish stock or take them to the next step,” he said.

Meanwhile demand for in-milk and close to profit cows is rising. 

“As availability of stock is short, the market is responding positively when good quality animals come forward. In-milk cow sales are scheduled through the spring. Farmers seeking to increase herds to capitalise on an encouraging dairy payout forecast should talk to their local livestock rep about where and when to buy,” said Jamie Cunninghame.

Looking ahead to next month and running through to October, the bull sale season will feature sales via hybrid bidr® and on-farm, which for many dairy farmers makes it time to apply for a PGG Wrightson Defer-A-Bull purchase agreement to finance a bull team with no upfront cost and no re-payments until the bulls are sold.

Jamie says Defer-A-Bull is a proven winner.

“Some have subscribed to Defer-A-Bull for ten years and longer. It offers an ideal opportunity to secure capital to fund annual bull purchases. Defer-A-Bull enables farmers to invest in a bull team when they need it, without putting pressure on funds at a moment in the season when cashflow can be tight,” he said.

For more information on Defer-A-Bull talk to your local PGG Wrightson representative or visit: pggwrightson.co.nz/defer-bull