Farmers from upper Waikato to Invercargill step up to pay top dollar for high producing genetics at dispersal sale of in milk cows

A recent dispersal sale of a commercial herd of Taranaki Friesians, attracting prices consistent with pedigree stock, underlines the current strength of the dairy sector and farmers’ willingness to pay top dollar for high producing genetics.

James Miller owns Makuri Dairies, established by his father Mark around 25 years ago. In early October, aiming to shift the focus of his farm to sheep and beef, he offered 220 predominantly two to four-year-old in milk cows at Inglewood and online via bidr. The top cow fetched $18,000 while the sale averaged $6100 per head.

James was delighted.

“Anything over $4500 per head would have been a good day. We were pretty stoked with how much better than that it went,” he says.

PGG Wrightson Taranaki area livestock manager and auctioneer Andrew Gibson oversaw the sale, which he says caught the local dairy sector’s optimism. 

“This sale attracted a full rostrum of buyers, chasing premium genetics, milk production, and breeding worth. Selecting the best of a herd that combines youth, quality breeding, sound udders, excellent type and plenty of capacity, we had something to suit all buyers. Such a strong response was very satisfying,” he says.

With most top semen companies represented in his herd, in recent seasons James has introduced genetics from Buelin Holsteins, one of New Zealand’s leading high-producing Holstein Frisian herds, into the Makuri Dairies bloodlines.

“These cows have been commercially farmed on Eastern Taranaki hill country, where fertility, functionality and the ability to perform in a practical environment are essential,” says Andrew.

Although most buyers were from Taranaki, they also came from as far north as upper Waikato, while 23 cows went to Invercargill

“Quality cows like this will shift anywhere in the country. It is awesome to see them going into top herds nationwide,” says Andrew.

Andrew Gibson shared the auctioneering with PGG Wrightson colleague Brooke Cushion. Although he is transitioning his farming system, James Miller has retained some of his young dairy stock and plans to offer a few more for sale next year.

Links to: 

https://bidr.co.nz