Carrfields is backing the Northland spring calf season with sales across the region, giving vendors a full spread of options as the season builds.

They hold weekly feeder calf sales at Kokopu, Wellsford, Kaikohe and Dargaville, seasonal fairs at Maungakaramea and Maungatapere, and fortnightly sales at Broadwood and Peria.

Kokopu is a purpose-built calf centre 20km of the old Kauri saleyards near Whangarei, taking calves since early July after the old yards closed to urban sprawl.

Carrfields Northland Livestock Manager Robert McLean, known to many as Biscuit, says frosts have curled up pasture on the east coast and while it is not used to them, they clean out bugs ahead of spring.

“Optimism is real positive across all sectors in farming Northland, with the bulk of the spring calvings now hitting the ground; calf rearers have been gearing up for another full busy season,” he says.

He says numbers coming forward to the saleyards are slightly back on last year.

“That’s mainly because more dairy farmers are rearing calves themselves this year, to get the benefit of prices that we’ve seen in the last 12 to 18 months in particular.”

McLean says the presentation sets calves apart for vendors.

“Healthy, well-bred calves with dry navels, calves that have been well fed with colostrum, this always helps keep buyer confidence high, in that they are going to get good calves, which in turn helps competition on sale day.”

Forestry conversions and rates are changing land use, and he says dairy farmers are increasingly the ones producing the calves rearers rely on.

“Our beef numbers have declined because of those changes, so we do need the dairy farmer, and we have got some very good, progressive farmers up in Northland.”

He says getting stock in and out has become easier since the Auckland toll bridge went and a new motorway further south would help again.

He says returns are as good as he has seen in his career. Farmers wanting sale dates or marketing advice can talk to him or their local Carrfields rep.

“We’re always happy to discuss marketing options to help farmers have another good season ahead.”

This is brought to you in partnership with Carrfields Livestock. To learn more about buying, selling or managing livestock, or to connect with a local livestock specialist, visit carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

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