‘Pretty positive vibe’ at the monthly Cattle Fair

Hinenui Genetics at Muriwai put up the top priced rising two-year-old steers on offer in the Cattle Fair at Matawhero yesterday. The black cattle in this picture sold for a high of $1620, the red cattle beside them made $1575, also from Hinenui. Picture by Chris Hurlstone

Just over 740 head of cattle changed hands yesterday in the monthly Cattle Fair at the Matawhero saleyards and the market had a “pretty positive vibe” about it, according to auctioneer Chris Hurlstone from PGG Wrightson.

“Spring’s just around the corner, and the prices reflected that.

“Most of the vendors were more than satisfied.”

A pen of capital stock R3 heifers from Waitangi Terrace Station at Kanakanaia sold for $1355.

In the steers, the top-priced R2’s on the day realised $1620, from Hinenui Genetics at Muriwai.

The best of the R2 heifers made $1090-$1350, the best of them from the Mossman family at The Laurels at Waerenga-o-Kuri.

“In the R2 bulls section of the Fair there was good demand.”

The best of them made $1310 and $1350.

The price range for the best of the R1 steers was $825-$1050, and the R1 heifers sold very strongly, from $695-$775.