Excellent feed conditions and buoyant schedule setting the scene for record prices in this year’s weaner sales season. 

Always a big event on the livestock calendar, with the current levels of enthusiasm for beef, the North Island weaner sales season is set to have a bumper year this year. 

Starting in Hawke’s Bay, the Stortford Lodge sale on 3 and 4 March will set the season in motion, with major selling centres across the regions hosting sales through to the end of May.

While the rain through January made for an average holiday period for many, on-farm it was excellent news for most. Summer saw exceptional grass growth in every corner of the country, putting plenty of feed on the ground: great conditions for the weaners that will come up for sale in the next three months.

Steve Wilkinson, Lower North Island Regional Manager for PGG Wrightson Livestock is looking forward to record prices.

 “Based on the strength of the store market and the values being achieved for 18-month cattle, nicely bred weaners should exceed $1500 per head this year, with the best of them likely reaching more than $2000. Cows and calves have had good feed through the late summer. The weaners will come to the market in excellent condition, and in good numbers. Buyers are motivated. 

“Many purchasers will have lines in mind that they have purchased previously and that have performed for them. Purchasers will target the sales where these weaners are available. Some vendors will line up earlier sales to take the good money on offer, while on farm feed levels will mean that some vendors are happy to hold their cattle longer and bring them in to later sales. Competition should be strong through to the end of May,” he says.

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