“It’s a busy time of the year for our teams out there.
“A lot of the heifers have already been transacted a week or so ago, so there’s lots of activity with herds and things over the upcoming weeks, that’s for sure.”
Cunninghame said it was also a busy time for high-end genetic sales, with a couple of successful events in the South and North Island.
Nathan and Amanda Bayne’s Busybrook in Oamaru had a sale in early April, where their Holstein Friesian herd did well, he said.
“We sold 136 lots with an average price of $9246 which is a fantastic result and the top price of $63,000 which is extraordinary, really.”
As for the North Island, the Fergusons family’s Ferdon Genetics sale in Otorohanga celebrated 75 years of the stud.
Ferdon Genetics had a Jersey base but had incorporated Holstein Friesians and Ayrshires into the mix over the years, Cunninghame said.
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“They had another fantastic sale too.”
Mackay asked what the cost of a “good average dairy cow” was these days.
While there were many variables at play, Cunninghame said for this season, the average price settled around the $1800 mark.
He said there hadn’t been much movement in prices for a while.
“We haven’t seen huge fluctuation ... $100 swing either way … has probably been the norm - if we talk about averages across the board – for the last few years.
“It’s been, been relatively consistent.”
Also in today’s interview: Cunninghame, who is based in Feilding, says there have been a few “cracking good frosts” and a little bit of rain lately but farmers are still waiting for more.
