Kaye and her daughter check out the calves at the Temuka sale. Photo: Supplied
Strong beef prices are helping raise record funds as part of a fundraising scheme that's been going for more than 40 years.
IHC has been around for 70 years supporting those with intellectual disabilities, particularly in rural communities.
For more than half that time, the IHC Calf and Rural Scheme has helped raised funds for the charity with farmers donating a weaned calf which is then sold and the proceeds donated.
National fundraising manager Greg Millar said some farmers donated multiple calves and had been doing so for generations.
"When they come to sale, [the calves] are often of amazing quality as well."
Millar said the scheme was badly impacted by Mycoplasma bovis and Covid-19.
"We had to change everything about the way we ran the calf and rural scheme and tighten up a lot of our processes. At one stage we thought it could be the end of the scheme just because it was high risk."
However, with farmers urging they persevered, it returned to full strength last year and raised $1.2 million.
He said this year is looking likely to be a record fundraiser.
"The sale prices have been great. The numbers we've been getting have been great."
Millar said at the recent Temuka sale, which had more calves than the year before, the average price was about $100 per calf which meant the sale earned an extra $50,000.
He said he was always impressed by farmers generosity, which allowed them to help families of children with intellectual disabilities.
"I'm always astounded by how amazing and supportive the farming community is around New Zealand."
With one more sale in January, he expects to know the final total in the new year.
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