Lower bobby calf prices tipped

Taranaki's biggest processor of bobby calves will be doing everything to maximise the returns to farmers. Changes in worldwide demand have reduced product prices for skins, meat and offal, and NZ's strong dollar has not helped the situation reports the Taranaki Daily. Riverlands Eltham chief executive Trevor Johnston said the price for bobby calves had not been assessed but it was expected to be lower than last year. The plant, which processes more than 100,000 calves a season, had not taken any stock yet but expected to start getting some small lots near the end of June and early July. Mr Johnston hoped farmers would continue to send their calves to be processed rather than killing them themselves. The reduced price would not lead to more farmers killing calves. "It is always a risk, but I think most farmers would find the thought of knocking a healthy calf on the head repugnant. "They do feed them despite the lack of profit, it is the most humane way to treat them," Mrs Gilbert said. Allied Farmers livestock manager Stephen Sutton said the lower prices would be disappointing for the industry.However, Mr Sutton said the drop in prices could result in more farmers rearing the calves.A calf worth $50 in July could be valued at more than $300 by December, he said. "They could turn it into a bit of a cashflow."