Feeder bull prices remain stable

Top Friesian bulls at Mangatainoka sold for $130/head.

Just over 400 feeder calves went under the hammer in the three most recent sales in the Tararua and reasonable prices were paid for top quality stock and premiums for the beef crosses which are in short supply.

Symbolic of the strong heifer prices was this Angus X which sold for $140.

Prices for Friesian bulls ranged between $130 and $140/head with the mediums averaging $100/head.

Top prices were paid for white-faced bulls, the highest being for two aged bulls at PGG Wrightson's Mangatainoka sale of $190/head. The range was between $140 and $180/head.

Strong demand for Angus X heifers saw the prices range between $140 and $160/head.

NZ Farmers Livestock had more than 200 calves for sale at Dannevirke's Monday August 17 sales with keen demand from Hawke's Bay and local farmers while there was South Wairarapa interest bidding for stock against locals at Mangatainoka in PGG Wrightson's sale a day later.

Both venues are keen to have more stock for sale. There are buyers out there.