Values Hold Firm At Methven Ewe Fair

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29146, 5 March 1960, Page 6

Values Hold Firm At Methven Ewe Fair

The sound demand for good breeding ewes waa continued at the Methven adnlt ewe fair yesterday. There was little change in basic values for either Romneys or fine-wools, and sales of station lines of ewes could be quoted fully firm on recent rates. The entry totalled 14,531 head, compared with 11.831 last year, and the transferring of the two-tooth section to the first day of the fair on Thursday was a decided advantage in getting the sale over much earlier than in recent years.

Compared with last year, the quality of the station lines was perhaps a little more varied and some of the mouths were not quite as good, but most of the hill offering was in good order and carrying a fair amount of condition. There was a sustained demand for the well-known station lines, and a satisfactory clearance. Considering that a large number of the sheep sold at the northern fairs have been bought by MidCanterbury farmers, the prices ruling yesterday, in virtually the home district, were more than comparable with values obtained in North Canterbury, especially when transport costs are taken into account.

Some of the lines appeared to be later shorn this year, and prices appeared to reflect this on several of the larger lines. The general position, however, was of a good, sound sale for the average to better classes.

The quality of the paddock sheep offered varied considerably and many of these lines were of doubtful vintage and there was a decided variation in the condition of the mouths within individual pens. Values for the paddock sheep opened firm on recent rates and prices were comparable with recent Addington sales, but towards the middle of the sale values for this class appeared to sag by 2s to 3s a head. However, towards the end. interest picked up when some good lines were offered and the level of values hardened to opening rates. Four-year Ewes

Four-year ewes had a good sale and the greater proportion of the lines offered fell within the average to better category, particularly with the Romney section. Romneys, sold up to 41s. and fine-wools to 455.

The best of the Romney fouryears realised from 40s to 41s. with five sales totalling 564 sheep in this category. Good sold at 33s to 355, average at 28s to 31s and others made from 20s to 245. Fine-wools made from 38s to 45s for the best, with four sales totalling 1316 head in this range Good made to 34s and others were sold at 23s to 245. Corriedales from the Double Hill Station (Rakaia Gorge) topped the four-year sales with 336 changing hands at 45s in a single sale. Last year the station sold 310 head in three cuts at 37s 6d. 36s 6d and 35s to top the fine-wool section.

L. P. Chapman (Tnveragy) sold 302 Romney halfbreds at 42s fid. Top Romney sales at 41s were made by D. S. Harrison (Drayton) with 135 and the estate of L. L. Richards (Mount Hutt) with 185 Romney cross, which last year topped the sale at 44s fid J. E. McKenzie (Mount Somers) sold 244 Romneys in three sales at 40s.

Four and five-year ewes and annual draft lines sold in accordance with quality and values appeared fully firm. An annual draft line of 467 halfbreds from the Bayfields estate (Bayfields) was sold at 38s. and N. B. Trott (Hatfield) sold 67 four and fiveyear Romneys at 275. and the Barrosa Run Company (Mount Somers) realised 29s for 41 annual draft halfbreds. Five-year Ewes

The best of the five-year Romneys made up to 31s and finewools to 355. and throughout the section there were few indifferent lines. The pick of the Romneys ranged from 29s to 31s, with good at 22s to 28s, average at 17s to 20s 6d and others from Us to 13s 6d. The tops of the fine-wools realised ’from 25s to

355, with average to good at 15s to 19s, and others from Ils. The estate of L. L. Richards topped the section with 200 half-, breds at 355, 100 at 34s and 111 at 33s 6d, followed by T. M. F. Taylor (Benlea) with 107 of the same breeding at 32s 6d and 88 at 295. Corriedales returned 30s 6d to G. H. Watson (Barton) for 80. Romney sales were headed by B. M. ‘ Murdoch (Ashburton Forks) with 84 at 31s and 60 at 29s 6d. The estate' L. L. Richards sold 217 Romney cross at 30s 6d. F. H. Syme (Stavely) gamed 29s 6d for 58 Romneys and sales at 29s were recorded by D. S. Harrison with 137 and N. L. Greenslade (Alford Forest) with 105 Romney cross. The following te a range of values obtained at the fair, with last years figures given for comparison:—

Four -year Ewei 1960 1959 8 s s s Romneys— Best 40 to 41 40 to 44} Good 33 to 35 36 J to 38 Average 28 to 31 32 to 36 Others 20 to 24 20 to — Fine-wools— Best 38 to 45 35 to 40} Average to Good — to 34 30 to 33 Others 23 to 24 10 to — Five■year 1 Ewes Romneys— Best 29 to 31 28 to 37 Good 22 to 28 —— to 26J Average 17 to 20} — to 20 Others 11 to 13J — to 18 Fine-wools— Best 25 to 35 22 to 25 Average to Good .. 15 to 19 164 to 20} Others 11 to — —- to —