Ewe Prices Up 20s A Head On Average At Fairs

Press, Volume C, Issue 29466, 18 March 1961, Page 8

Ewe Prices Up 20s A Head On Average At Fairs

ANOTHER ewe fair season is over in North and Mid-Canterbury; With lamb markets overseas at very depressed levels and the average returns from wool in the province so far this season below last year, buyers of ewes have been prepared to pay on an average 20s a head more for their ewes this season. The reason for this puzzling situation is to be found in an abundant feed position throughout the district. This has stimulated a demand for ewes after two drought seasons when flocks were culled heavily. The result has been that the supply has been smaller—a further factor in the strength of the market. At the main fairs in Mid and North Canterbury this season the over-all yarding of 181.844 is 12 per cent, below last season’s corresponding tally of 206.119. Last year at ewe fair time it was still difficult to have ewes killed at the works and this resulted in a glut of older ewes at the fairs. This season killing has been achieved readily and the firmer schedule for ewes has put a more solid base to the market. A feature of the majority of the fairs this season has

been the much improved condition of the sheep, also a natural consequence of the season. Over the whole of the series the market has been remarkably steady and this time there were no weak sales. They were all highly satisfactory to vendors. Two-tooth ewes sold up to £6 17s for 60 Romneys from the Springvale Estate ‘Little River) at the Little River fair, and A. G Lawrence ‘Mount Hilton) reached to £5 Is for 73 Corriedales at the Hawarden sale. Top price for four-year-old ewes was 75s for 80 Romneys from J. E. McKenzie ‘Mount Somers’ at Methven and for 150 Corriedales from E. H. Sime ‘Grasslands) at Coalgate. At Methven, the estate L. L Richards was paid 64s for 329 five-year Romney cross and 62s for 365 halfbreds of the same age group. The following is an approximate range of values for sheep sold at the fairs: Two-tooth ewes: best 80s to £5. good 70s to 795. average 60s to 68s, and others 50s to 58s. Four-year-old ewes: best 60s to 70s, good 48s to 565, average 40s to 455. Five-year-old ewes: best 48s to 565, average to good 40s to 455, others 30s to 38s.