‘Exceptional quality’ at weaner fair

UNDER THE HAMMER: The top draft of the Marika Station weaner steers were the first pen to be sold at the Matawhero weaner fair yesterday. They weighed 278 kg and the 126 head sold for $1150, at $4.14 per kg. The quality of the 2736 weaners sold was excellent. Picture by Trevor Brown

by Trevor Brown 

  PRICES were buoyant at yesterday’s Matawhero weaner fair where 2736 steers and bulls went under the hammer, many from the Wairoa and Ruakituri districts. 

There was a large bench of buyers, most from outside this district, and they purchased most of the main lines. 

Prices paid were about 50 cents per kg higher than at the 2022 fair. 

The Best price of $1150 for the steers was shared between Marika Station (2010) Ltd at Rere and Homebush Station Ltd at Ormond. 

The nine Homebush Station steers weighed 331 kg, while Marika Station’s pen of 126 Angus averaged 278 kg. 

Whangara B20 Station topped the bull section, with 34 Angus weighing 293 kg and selling for $1130. 

Very few pens sold for under $4 per kg. Most of the main lines fetched between $4 and $4.50 per kg. There was strong demand for all lines and the quality was exceptional.

The weaner heifers went under the auctioneer’s hammer today. 

Best prices — 

Weaner steers: Marika Station (2010) Ltd, 126, $1150, 13, $1100, 86, $950, 23, $820, 4, $460; Homebush Station Ltd, 9, $1150, 20, $920, 12, $830; Whanakawa Holdings, 3, $1140, 11, $935; Richard James Wray, 6, $1130, 2, $850, 4, $800; JB & PM Byrne P/S, 26, $1120, 10, $1025, 12, $890; Kowhairau, 10, $1070, 30, $940, 4, $790; Orere Station Ltd, 39, $1050, 18, $910; Haha Station, 13, $1050, 11, $910; Pakowhai Block, 20, $1045, 22, $900, 6, $760; Carl Hamlin, 17, $1045, 1, $950, 29, $880, 13, $770; Piritaha P/S, 50, $1040, 48, $920; RD Blair, 34, $1035, 11, $1035, 14, $890; Marangairoa C4 Block, 33, $1035, 71, $910, 40, $860, 10, $650; the Proprietors of Tahora, Painga, 36, $1030, 51, $1005, 20, $1000, 42, $910, 13, $900, 21, $890, Papuni, 30, $1030, 38, $1020, 51, $1005, 84, $955, 35, $880, 11, $860, 20, $830, 10, $780, 6, $730, 12, $660, Kouhouroa, 22, $1030, 121, $930, 27, $905, 27, $865; Tauwharetoi Station, 35, $1020, 3, $945, 115, $900, 37, $870; Mangahauhau Hampshires, 38, $1000, 12, $860; Holdsworth Paringahau, 53, $1000; Rangiata P/S, 17, $1000, 6, $840.

Weaner bulls: Whangara B20 Station, 34, $1130, 52, $920, 23, $840; Est. AG McPhail, 50, $1100, 47, $950, 14, $820, 3, $350; Hokonui Station, 17, $1050, 27, $980, 33, $830, 16, $650, 4, $360; CP Healey, 20, $990, 34, $905, 20, $800; Omaha Farm, 5, $950; JB & PM Byrne, 4, $900; Whanakawa Holdings, 7, $810, 15, $775.