Good returns for the Dannevirke dairy beef sale

A good lineup of dairy heifers was a feature of the January 29 Dannevirke Dairy Beef sale.

The latest sale at the Dannevirke and Pahiatua Dannevirke Dairy Beef sale on January 29 was a modest yarding of 350 livestock, but returns were still good thanks to local and buyers predominantly from Hawke's Bay.

Beech's Ayreshires reached $450/head.

The average price was 533/head spread evenly over Friesian bulls, beef bulls and heifers which were also roughly equal in numbers.

Friesian bulls ranged between $610 and $550/head for the best with the second tier $450-530/head.

These six white-faced autumn-born heifers from BG & FE Murdoch topped the sale at $730/head.

Beef crosses sold well, white-faced Hereford crosses fetching top prices, Angus and Ayreshires slightly less in demand.

Dairy heifers matched the bulls for popularity the best yarding of six white-faced autumn-born from Murdoch Enterprises reaching $730/head — top in the sale.

A high price for Friesian bulls of $610/head went to Nigel Alexander.

This sale ends dairy beef sales for a while but there may be one in March depending upon demand. In five sales 2700 stock have changed hands, similar to last year.

The next big cattle sale is the Cattle Fair on February 14.

A moderate crowd bidded enthusiastically.