Yearling beef bulls continued to sell for up to $1000 higher on average than last spring in the first two weeks of North Island sales.

Te Atarangi Angus at Te Kōpuru, on the Pouto peninsula in Northland, had a complete clearance of 123 yearling bulls after five were withdrawn on the day. The average price secured by vendors Chris and Karren Biddles was $5571, about $1700 ahead of last year.

The top price was $12,000 paid by Marchant Farms, South Auckland, for Te Atarangi Solution V074, by Stokman Solution out of Te Atarangi Irene with EBVs for very low birth weight, short gestation and high Angus indexes.

Transfer bulls are to go to Hokianga Angus at $8000 and $7000, to Puketi Angus at $8000 and to Matapara Angus at $4500.

Hereford averages are around $4000 and Angus averages have been closer to $5000, with complete or nearly full clearances of stud catalogues.

Maranui Herefords and Angus at Waihi had full clearances of 25 and 12 bulls respectively with an average of $3952 for the Herefords and $5168 for the Angus.

Top price at $13,500 was paid by Te Atarangi Angus, Northland.

Waitangi Angus, Bay of Islands, sold 87 from 90 with a top price of $12,000 and a good average of $5456, compared with $4050 last year.

Lot 7 was transferred to Matapara Angus for $8500.