THE WEEK

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27149, 19 September 1953, Page 5

THE WEEK

FOUR-FIGURE SHEEP

The shipment of stud sheep which left Wellington last week for South America was of exceptional interest because of the excellent prices paid for many of the sheep, and also because Argentine buyers were a'gain in the market after an abscence of several years. Selection of many of the sheep was made personally by South Americans, and their activities confirmed the impression that they want only top sheep. Where quality is high, they are willing to pay for it, but they appear only to be interested in the very best. The shipment consisted of 138 sheep, of which 37 were Corriedales, 98 Romneys, and 3 Lincolns. The Argentine took 15 head, 103 are destined for Uruguay, and 20 for the Falkland Islands.

Prices of four figures were received for Corriedale rams from the Estate of H. T. Little, Hui Hui, Bushey Park Estate, and B. S. Trolove and Sons, Taihoa. Rams were also taken at good prices from the Estate of Jas. Reid, Riversleigh, A. J. Blakeley. Waikari, Douglas Johnston, Mayfield, H. C. Barton, Seddon, and A. Kennington, Seddon. The Romneys, which included a number of stud ewes, and some flock rams were drawn from leading Wairarapa and Manawatu studs, and several also sold at four-figure prices. The shipment is probably the most valuable collection of stud sheep ever to leave New Zealand, and breeders are pleased that South America, which has always been a good market, is showing such strong interest.