North Island Sheep and Beef

North Island beef farmers are set for a positive few weeks of weaner sales through the first half of the autumn. Last year’s weaner sales achieved record prices with encouraging volumes of cattle going through the yards. This year, we have plenty of grass on the paddocks, and farmer confidence is at high levels and quality animals are likely to remain at least as highly sought after as they were at the weaner sales 12 months ago.

Weaner sales start early in March, in Northland, and progress down the country from there over the following six to eight weeks, finishing in Gisborne and Manawatu in mid-April. Sales will be held in around 20 individual saleyards. Recent trends have shown a good mix of local and external buyers at all these North Island weaner sales. Last year record prices were set at the Masterton weaner sale so this year’s Masterton sale will be the one to watch.

Black cattle are always sought after at the sales, with the trend towards them growing ever stronger. Angus always sell well, though so do good cattle in any breed. This year, prices for dairy cross cattle should also hold up. We expect Hereford-Friesian weaners to be in strong demand.

South Island Sheep and Beef

South Island has enjoyed wide spread rain in the last two weeks. The drier areas such as Otago and Southland will certainly benefit from the rain which will give pastures and winter crops a much needed boost.

With the dry prevailing in Southland and Otago, stock that is normally finished has had to be sold as stores. Thankfully Canterbury and the North Island has good feed conditions to buy in the increased numbers of store animals that become available.

With the start of calf sales starting within the next two weeks farmers are gearing up to purchase calves. There has been a lot of enquiry from both the South and North Island to purchase calves, this should see strong demand through Auction and Private sales.

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