Multi-generational dispersal sales attract nationwide attention, indicating dairy sector’s current buoyancy.

A couple of April dispersal sales of elite multi-generational dairy herds indicate the current strength of the market in the sector, and continued positivity among farmers, who are increasingly taking advantage of purchasing online.

In early April highly respected stud Makuri Holsteins, Stratford, offered a complete dispersal of milking cows and mated heifers, comprising 92 catalogue lots. Averaging $8505, the top priced cow reached $17,000.

Shortly after, over two days, Thornlea Jerseys, Otorohonga, undertook a complete dispersal of a herd that represented four generations farming Jerseys by the Riddell family. Thornlea’s dispersal, consisting of 408 catalogue lots, achieved a $3986 overall average, with in-milk cows averaging $4155, in-calf heifers $4781, and calves $3165. Thornlea’s top priced lot, an in-calf heifer, changed hands for $30,000.

bidr was an important factor in each of these sales. For the Makuri sale 89 buyers registered online, placing 42 per cent of the total bids and purchasing 41 per cent of the catalogue lots. Meanwhile, with the Thornlea sale, online buyers bid on 96 per cent of the total lots and purchased 63 per cent of the offering across the two days.

Later in April an organic dairy herd sold in Whakatane, with the mixed age cows averaging $3342, in-calf heifers $3400, and rising one-year-old calves $1515. Complete organic herds are rarely offered to the market, and this sale represented an excellent result for the vendors.

Additional elite dairy herd dispersal sales are scheduled over the next few weeks, including in Waikato and further south. With regular enquiry from plenty of farmers who are still motivated to enhance their herds with the best genetics available, this trend of strong results is likely to continue.

*Image credit to Cowshotz Livestock Photography.

Let's talk Livestock! Contact your local rep to explore opportunities tailored to your farming goals.