Early enquiry recommended for anyone wanting dairy livestock next season

As dairy farmers plan for the start of next season enquiry for forward settlements of herds and in-calf heifers is firm. 

Empty rates appear to be two to three per cent higher this season than normal, probably due to the unsettled spring weather, which is motivating demand, while live export has removed a proportion of heifers from the system. On that basis,: holding off on securing a herd or a line of in-calf heifers is a risk. 

With sales set to take place in Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, Manawatu, and Southland, several on-farm clearing sales are scheduled from April to mid-May. These range from elite pedigree genetics to established commercial herds. Some late season farm sales have spurred additional new herds onto the market. Check Agonline for a schedule of dairy herd sales. Some sales will be staged as hybrid events combining bidr and on farm, and others offered as full sequential bidr sales.

As North Island sales of autumn-born week-old feeder calves also commence, in Waikato, Manawatu and the Bay of Plenty, good demand is indicated throughout all districts, with confidence among autumn calf rearers being stronger than last spring.