Dannevirke: Local buyer shuns low-priced calves

Tristan Gordon, of New Zealand Farmers Livestock, knocks down a pen of Friesian calves being sold on behalf of Charlton Farms at the showgrounds on Thursday.

Prices may have been back a little at last Thursday's 4-day-old calf sale in Dannevirke, but good-quality calves were selling well.

One Hawke's Bay buyer in the market for the past two weeks has been Nigel Cooper of Clive. An orchardist, Mr Cooper told the Dannevirke News he had a property in Clive with good sheds. "So I'm getting into a bit of diversity," he said.

However, he had no interest in the lower-priced calves.

Clive's Nigel Cooper was happy with his purchase.

"I'd rather get the better quality stock. I began buying just last week and I've got some good calves again."

Tristan Gordon, of New Zealand Farmers Livestock, said last Thursday's offering was the biggest so far, with 80 calves up for sale. "The prices are back a wee bit, but that's the same at Feilding and Rongotea," he said. "But dairy farmers can't be upset, these are still better than bobby calf prices. One local, Natalie Short, has purchased 35 calves here today and most of the buyers are local."

Japanese student Kato Taiohi pats a 4-day-old calf at the sale.

With a whitefaced bull fetching $155 and a pen of good calves, $105, lower priced calves went for $55, with no interest in one at $40.

A pen of Friesian calves from vendor Hartridge Family Trust reached $75.

Students from Eitoku High School in Nagoya, Japan, get their first experience of a calf sale.

The Friesian calves on offer last Thursday were some of the better stock so far this year, Mr Gordon said.

The calves were also attracting the attention of five Japanese exchange students visiting Dannevirke High School for eight days from Eitoku High School in Nagoya.

Stock agent Bill Rendle (left) and orchardist Nigel Cooper, of Clive, with some of the quality 4-day-old calves purchased in Dannevirke last Thursday.

The students were fascinated with the sale and particularly fond of the calves which were an unusual experience for them.