Maungakaramea Spring Fair:
Just when you thought cattle might not get any dearer - they did. The annual fair at Maungakaramea was red hot. The 1194 cattle was a total clearance sold throughout Northland and yearlings to the Waikato and Te Kuiti. Some lots were $100 up on last year. The quality of most of the offering was very good. Top 2-year steers sold from $1200 to $1545 then $1040 to $1400. Yearling steers sold for $1225 to $1320, then $1050 to $1310 down to $1100 to $1025. Dairy cross yearling steers made $1030 to $1055 then $955 to $980 then $850 to $900 down to $760. Good yearling Angus heifers made $1150 to $1155 then $1020 to $1130, then $925 to $1020. Medium heifers made $825 to $820. Forty four pens made over $1000 and the total sale topped over $1 million; the same as last year.
Wellsford:
The cattle sale at Wellsford was very small but good on Monday 11th. Store heifers made (2.73c-2.74c) then $600 to $705 (3.16c-3.33c), weaner bull made $570 to $775 (2.63c-3.93c).
Tuesday: The store market was better on Tuesday in all grades. Prime steers sold for $1652 (3.06c), prime heifers sold for $1535 to $1540, then $1357 to $1445 (2.71c-3.04c) down to $1036 to $1214 (2.56c-2.76c). In-calf beef cows made $1188 to $1896 (2.20c-2.40c) light cows made $650 to $844 (1.70c-1.98c).
Sheep: Good mixed age ewes made $90 to $105 then $74 to $87. Prime lambs sold for $124 to $154.
Feeder Calves: Good feeder calves sold well, good calves made $220 to $255 down to $200, medium calves fetched $145 to $155 down to $70 to $85 with small calves $40 to $20.
Annual Bull Sales:
Te Atarangi Angus 29th Annual Yearling Bull Sale: Held on the vendor's property south of Te Kopuru on Schick's Road. The sale was a roaring success with a total clearance for the 100 bulls offered. The top bull sold for $6500 and the overall average was $3684 up $658 on last year.
Kaikohe Sale:
With 450 cattle at Kaikohe on Wednesday 13th the market was all over the place from very firm to hard to sell. Good 2-year steers made $1625 for Angus and $1450 to $1590 for Herefords. Angus steers made (3.04c) and Herefords (2.90c-2.98c) and light steers $1100 to $1200 (2.90c). Autumn born Whiteface and Hereford cross steers sold for $895 to $990 (3.15c-3.25c). 1-year steers fetched $750 to $910 for Angus Devon cross and Whiteface (3.40c-3.80c). Whiteface weaner steers made $725 (3.80c) and small Hereford cross $460 to $540. Weaner bulls sold for $550 to $640. Good 2-year heifers made $1015 to $1190 (2.70c-2.80c). 1-year Angus, Angus cross and Hereford weaner heifers made $400 to $450. Ayrshire cows and calves made $1480 down to $1200 to $1300. Friesian cross cows made $760 to $810 (1.70c-1.84c). - Compiled by Brian Sills
