Small cattle sale, similar prices at first Matawhero Cattle Fair of 2024

This pen of 12- to 15-month heifers from Bushy Knoll Forest Ltd were the best of this age class and sold for $1090 at the first monthly Matawhero Cattle Fair yesterday. Picture by Trevor Brown

There were just over 200 cattle sold yesterday at the first Matawhero Cattle Fair for 2024.

The yarding consisted of several pens of light-conditioned cows with calves at foot, and numerous smaller 15-month cattle.

There was a very small bench of local buyers and the sale was completed in one hour.

Prices paid per kg were similar to those at the December fair.

Bushy Knoll Forest Ltd received $1170 for 4-15 month Angus steers, weighing 348kg ($3.36/kg).

This vendor also topped the 15-month heifers, being paid $1090 for a pen of 12 Angus, weighing an average 309kg ($3.53/kg).

Prices per kg: MA cows rwb: $2.09-$2.07; 15-month steers: $3.50-$3.36; 15-month heifers: $3.53-$2.91.

Best prices:

Cows with calves at foot: Rau White, 4, $1310, 16, $1130; Taupai Station, 10, $1300; Tiki T Waitoa, 7, $1230; K&M Contractors, 7, $1100.

Two-year steers: Makeretu Farms, 3, $1450.

Fifteen-month steers: Bushy Knoll Forest Ltd, 4, $1170, 4, $1130.

Fifteen-month heifers: Bushy Knoll Forest Ltd, 12, $1090; Andrew Falloon, 4, $1020; Makeretu Farms, 6, $900; CNA & JM Marr, 3, $900; R Morse, 8, $880.