It’s been a busy month of  calf sales across the country, the PGG Wrightson Standardbred Autumn Weanling Sales start May 29^th and we’re just weeks away from the PGG Wrightson Livestock National Video Sale (Stud Bull Sale).

North Island

The past few weeks had seen large volumes of weaner calves sold across the North Island. The prices held up well despite some negative sentiment from some of the processors regarding the short to medium term outlook for beef. The large sheep regions have prospered on the back of record kill prices for lamb and mutton. Farmers seem cautiously optimistic that the good times are here to stay for a while at least and this creates a good environment for traders and breeders alike.

One of the things that’s sets PGG Wrightson Livestock ahead of the competition is the quality of its auctioneers and the teams around them. They work extremely hard and take real pride ensuring that farmer clients receive full market value for each lot sold.

South Island

April has been an extremely busy month in the South Island with the calf sales being the main focus of activity. Overall vendors were reasonable happy with calf prices, although prices have eased off their highs from last year money for calves have still been very good.
There has also been a lot of store lambs sold as farmers unload numbers due to winter just around the corner. Pricing for store lambs have been around the $3.20-3.40, the only exception to this is half bred lambs are making 20 cents kg more.

The weaner deer market has been exceptional strong as demand outstrips supply.

Dairy

As expected MPI’s announcement to depopulate the properties infected with MPB has had an effect on the dairy market. All regions are reporting increased activity since this decision was made, it is being driven primarily by existing buyers now deciding the time is right to purchase. In general market price hasn’t been greatly affected. This lift in activity has converted a number of clearing sales into paddock sales.

On the 13th April PGW was fortunate to conduct the Busy Brook Gold Label Sale. Busy Brook Doorman Hailstorm (Imp.ET), a 6 week old daughter of the two time World Dairy Expo and Royal Winter Fair Grand Champion RF Goldwyn Hailstorm, EX 97, 4 SBC. This one off calf created much competition and was finally knocked down to the famous Sherraine Holstein herd of Peter Sherriff and Family of Kaiapoi for $35,000 a new record price for a calf in New Zealand. 

Genetics

The PGG Wrightson Livestock National Video Sale (Stud Bull Sale) is the premier sale of beef genetics in NZ, bringing together the best Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn bulls from around the country.

The sale will take place on Monday 14 May from 4pm at the Palmerston North Convention Centre.

Please note: This is not a livestream auction, buyers must be at the Palmerston North Convention Centre to bid.

You can also see upcoming bull sales across the country on the Agonline Sale Calendar.

Standardbred

From a total entry of 225 of all ages, a record 155 weanlings are to be offered on May 29th in Christchurch and June 1st in the Auckland Autumn Sale at Karaka. The majority of the weanlings come from two drafts aligned to the leading stud farms, Woodland Stud of Clevedon and Alabar Stud based at Waiau Pa, near Pukekohe.

The Auckland sale is scheduled for the day before Harness Racing’s annual richest ‘Jewels’ race day at Cambridge.