Excellent summer of growth results in well-presented stock

Around 10,000 Northland weaner calves are selling in the first half of March in a series of sales throughout the region.

Ranging from Peria to Wellsford, the sales typically attract buyers from across the North Island, including from Gisborne, Manawatu, Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, and Taranaki, with several visiting to make an excursion of it, following the series from one sale to the next.

PGG Wrightson Livestock Northland manager Bernie McGahan says the quality at the sales is exceptional.

“Plenty of exotics are on the market this year, alongside traditional cattle lines that always attract strong attention. While the conversion of Northland cattle farms to forestry has resulted in a reduction of the yardings compared to previous years, with such favourable growing conditions in the north this summer, the presentation of the stock is as good or better than any other year.

“Signs around pricing are also positive. Due to the lack of numbers and the ongoing abundance of feed, in the recent store market for cattle values have been ahead of the schedule price, while a recent on-farm weaner sale at Kaeo sold 800 calves at exceptional prices,” he says.