Heavy Passings At Canterbury Ram Fair; Romney Values Down

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30667, 5 February 1965, Page 14

Heavy Passings At Canterbury Ram Fair; Romney Values Down

In most sections of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s stud ram fair held at Addington Siow Grounds yesterday only about a third or less of the sheep entered were sold under the hammer.

Compared with last year’s fair, values for Romneys slumped and the average price for the breed was only a little more than half of last year’s average.

The Southdown section was hard to compare with last year’s sale as for the first time for years the section was without the noted Punchbowl sheep of H. J. Andrew, of Maheno, which have invariably dominated it Taking this into account and omitting one notable sale which was far ahead of any others the average level of values was probably not as good as last year.

For Corriedales, Border and English Leicester the average level of values was not markedly different.

Top price of the fair was 875 guineas paid for a Southdown from J. A. Brown, of Kakanui, North Otago. The purchaser was Mr Andrew of the Punchbowl stud. A Corriedale ram earned the new highest price of 310gns. Romneys sold to 250gns for three. The entry for the fair was smaller this year at 369 rams compared with 418 last year. The sheep were drawn from all parts of the South Island and in the Southdown section there were also some sheep from Masterton. While most of the sheep sold at auction went to Canterbury buyers, there was also a sprinkling of sales to other South Island districts and quite important buying support was received from the North Island. For instance nearly all of an entry of 18 Dorest Down ewes were taken by the North Island. One observer at the sale commented that a factor in the relatively weak demand at the fair could be that it followed major fairs in the North Island and in Southland, and this combined with private sales meant that prospective purchasers were largely satisfied and patrons

were frequently only interested in bargain purchases. SOUTHDOWN* Demand was at a pretty low ebb in the Southdown section, and one well-known breeder described the sale as the poorest he had known for a good many years. Of the 130 rams which came before buyers only 46, or 35 per cent of the offering, was sold under the hammer. This was a slightly lower proportion of sales than last year when 59 were sold ont of a selection of 159. There was a dreary procession of passings throughout the sale, and even the better known breeders were frequently not able to quit all their entries under the hammer. It was a hard sale to compare with last year for the reason that for the first time for many years there were no sheep entered from the famous Punchbowl Stud. Last year eight Punchbowl rams selling from 275 to ISOOgns averaged slightly more than 740gns each. This tended to push the average for last year’s sale well up. Then 59 rams averaged slightly more than 178Jgns. Yesterday for 46 returning a total of 4467Jgns- the average was only 97gns. However, this is not a fair comparison, and eliminating Mr Andrew’s sheep from last year’s figures the average would have been only 90igns. But this year’s average was swelled by a single sale which was far ahead of the rest. It was 875gns—easily the highest price of the fair in all sections. It was paid for an entry from J. A. Brown (Kakanui, North Otago), and the buyer was Mr Andrew. The next best price for a Southdown was 260gns. So If Mr Brown’s ram was omitted from yester-

day’s figures the average would be just on 80gns, and all things taken into account, this is probably a fairer average and would amount to a decline of about lOgns on last year, or equal to a drop of about II per cent. The market did not vary a great deal throughout the day, but there was possibly a slight improvement in the second run. In the first run 24 sold at an average of 93gns. and in the second run 22 sold for slightly more than leOgns. The top priced from Mr Brown sold under keen competition, and the under-bidder to Mr Andrew was an Invercargill breeder who flew up specially to buy the ram. This ram won the gold medal In a natural condition class of 17 at the Invercargill show last year, and was also the winner of the natural condition class at the Oamaru show last year. Mr Brown, who has been a judge at the last two Christchurch shows, had a team of five rams in the sale yesterday, and they averaged 336gns each, selling from 175gns up to 875gns. These rams, like nine which averaged 327gns for him in Southland last week, were all by the same Punchbowl ram, were altogether eight rams which sold for better than 200gns. The second best price went to A. D. Wyllie and Company (Omlhl), which sold one to I. P. Chamberlain (Burnham) for 260gns. F. W. Jarman, of the Avonlea Stud, Darfield. also had one which went to Wakefield in the Nelson district for 245gns. J. C. Medllcott and Son (Hook) also sold one at 230gns to R. L. A. McMillan. of . Irwell. Although the sale was anything but animated. some breeders had averages which were comparable with last year and even slightly better. F. W. Jarman, with three rams ranging from 85 to 245gns, averaged 153 l-3gns. For four selling from 80 to 230gns J. C. Medlicott and Son averaged 135gns, which compared with Signs last year for five. A. D. Wyllie and Company averaged 130gns for five rams selling from 80 to 260gns. For eight rams their average last year was 128gns. J. T. and W. T. Robertson and Company (Gore) had an average of 128 l-3gns for three ranging from 80 to 215gns, compared with an average of 235gns for two last year. For six making from 70gns to 155gns D. C. McMillan (Lochaber, Irwell) averaged 116gns compared with 118gns for three last yearMost parts of the South Island were represented in the selection and there was an entry from the Masterton district. Of the sheep purchased under the hammer destinations were similarly widespread and some useful support was given to the market by North Island buying orders. Some sheep were purchased for as far away as Auckland province. Out of the 27 one-shear Southdown ewes which were entered only 12 were sold. The sheep which were sold under the hammer all came from J. C. Medlicott and Son and ranging from 61 to 131gns they averaged 9gns. The top price of 13igns for four of these was paid by J. W. Dawson, of Darfield. Last year for 19 the average was nearly 7gns. Romney Marsh Values fell sharply in the Romney Marsh section, with the average price falling by 165.6gns —from 281.17gns last year to 145.47gns this year. In 1963, the average price was 162.75gn5. Buyers were very selective and their price limits were considerably below that of last year. Of the 58 rams offered, 21 sold at auction compared with 17 of the 51 offered last year. In several Instances the upset price could not be drawn from the gallery. Again this year J. D. and W. T. Robertson, of Gore, secured the top price of 250gns and this honour was shared with C. R. Humphries and Company, also of Gore. The Robertsons sold two rams at this price, one to the Estate E. S. Taylor (Woodend) the other to B. J. Breen (Ashburton). The Humphries’ ram was purchased by the Farmers’ Stud Stock Company, Stratford, on account of the Estate W. Talbot. Last year J. D. and W. T. Robertson achieved the highest price of SOOgns. The Robertsons averaged 230 gns for four rams sold under the hammer, and sold several others privately for what were satisfactory prices on the day. C. R. Humphries and Company, sold another ram for 210gns at auction.

Raymond Oakley (Ashburton) secured the second highest price of the day, selling one ram to J. P. Shuttleworth and Son (Nelson), for 230gns, and another to the same buyer for 225gns. For the five rams he sold at auction, Raymond Oakley averaged 168 gns. I. R. Oakley, Mayfield, sold two rams to average 162Jgns. Of the 35 rams offered in the first run the 14 that were sold averaged 130gns, while in the second run seven of the 23 that came forward were sold at an average price of 176.42gn5.

Corriedale Although the top price was not as high as last year—SlOgns, compared with 450gns—the overall average of 149.28gns for the 14 Corriedale rams sold of the 41 offered was about 7gns better than the average realised last yqar of 142.36gn5, when only 19 of 62 rams found a buyer at auction. This year, 34.1 per cent of the rams found a buyer at auction, compared with 30.6 per cent last year. In the first run, the average price for the eight sold of the 25 offered was 135.31gn5, while six of the 16 rams in the second run sold at an average of 167.86 gns. F. C. Ridgen, of Greendale, secured the top price of SlOgns for a ram sold to J. F. G. Blakely (Walkarl). Bldgen sold three rams at auction to average 193.3 gns. Robert Robinson, from Ashburton, realised the second highest price of the section, of 270gns, paid by C. G. Robinson,

Te PiTita. Another ram, entered by Robert Robinson made 210gns. Herder Leicester

Once again Border Leicester rams met a very selective demand, with less than a third of the offering finding a buyer at auction. The overall average price showed little variation on last year—62.S9gns compared with 62.74gns in 1964, but the top price of 145gns was slightly higher than the 140gns paid last year. H. W. Farquhar, of Culverden, secured the day’s best price with the Longnewton Trust (Ashburton) paying 145gns for one of his rams. He sold two others at SOgns and 40gns respectively to average 88.3gns for the three.

R. J. Low and Sons (Rakaia), realised the only other price over lOOgns, with one of their entries selling for 105gns to Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., Timaru, on account of Mrs D. Richards. For five rams R. J. Low and Sons averaged 62.5gn5. R. E. Gunn, Darfield, averaged the same amount for three rams.

Of the 69 Border Leicester! offered, 19 were sold at auction compared with 21 sold of 63 offered last year. In the first run of 41 rams 12 were sold at an average price of 60.41gn5, while In the second run seven of the 21 offered were sold at an average of 65.42gn5. Eighty - three registered Border Leicester ewes came forward, but only 12 were sold—all at sgns. John Crawford, Rakaia, and the Stud Sheep Unit at Lincoln College paid this price for ewes entered by R. J. Low and Sons, Highbank. Sheep from this stud were the only ones to be sold under the hammer. Last year, 33 ewes averaged B.3gns, with a top price of llgns. English Leicester English Leicester rams were not easy to sell, with less than a third being sold in the ring. Thirty-eight came forward this year, of which 12 were sold, while last year half the 30 entered found a buyer at auction.

Last year, the average price was 43gns, compared with 46.385gns this year. The top price was the same as last year —SOgns—and was realised by the same vendor, R. J. Low and Sons, Highbank. The top priced ram was bought by J. R. Todhunter, Rakaia Gorge. Rams from the stud of R. J. Low and Sons also gained the next highest price, with two realising 60gns, paid for by R. N. Clucas and W. L. Clucas, both of Ashburton. For five rams sold at auction, R. J. Low and Sons averaged 56gns. Bennett Brothers, of Ashburton, averaged 38.3gns for three rams and the estate James Reid, Darfield, averaged 38.73gns for two. Lincoln Four Lincoln rams were offered, all on account of Newton Godsiff, of Blenheim. Three were sold at an average price of 49.18gn5, with the top priced ram bought by the Cunningham Estate (Brookside) making 60gns. Ten Lincolns were entered last year, but only one was sold and that made 120gns. South Suffolks Only four out of 15 South Suffolk rams which came into the buying ring were sold. For the four prices ranged from 35gns to SSgns and the average was 52gns. Last year five sold for prices ranging from 35gns to lOOgns. The top money yesterday went to G. D. Neave of Meadowbank, Irwell, and it was paid by an Auckland buyer, Mr E. J. Drake. All of the 15 South Suffolk oneshear ewes put up to auction were passed in. Three Ryeland rams were offered but they were all passed at auction. Three Hampshire Downs met a similar fate at auction. A Dorset Horn ram and a Dorset Down ram were also passed in under the hammer. One of the features of the market was the strong sale for an entry of 18 one-shear Dorset Down ewes from J. B. BoydClark, the Darenal estate, Walpara. These ranged from SSgns to 130gns and most went to the North island. The National Mortgage and Agency, Hastings, paid the top price for I. Van Asch. Details of sales were, with buyers’ names shown in parenthesis:— SOUTHDOWNS New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative . Association, Ltd., In association with The Farmers' Stud Stock Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— F. W. Jarman, Darfield: 1 at ISOgns (T. C. Clarkson, Pleasant Point). A. D. Wyllie and Company, Omihl: 1 at 260gns (I. P. Chamberlain, Dunsandel). J. C. Medlicott and Son, Waimate: 1 at lOOgns (B. E. Jarman, Darfield), 1 at 230gns (R. L. A. McMillan, Irwell). D. C. McMillan, Irwell: 1 at ISOgns (W. H. Mee, Omakau), 1 at 80gns (P. J. and H. C. Abbott, Ltd., Southbridge). J. D. and W. T. Robertson and Company, Gore: 1 at SOgns (K. H. Jarman, Darfield). R. J. Low and Sons, Rakaia: 1 at 35gns (C. Stott, Darfield). H. W. Pannett, Balclutha: 1 at HOgns (N.M.A., Dunedin, on account T. McCristell, Balclutha). J. A. Brown, Oamaru: 1 at 875gns (H. J. Andrew, Maheno). W. E. Moorhead, Southbridge: 1 at SOgns (A. Matthews, Rangiora). D. H. Robertson and Company, Gore: 1 at 35gns (D. Stowell, Ashburton). National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— A. D. Wylie and Company, Omihl: 1 at SOgns (J. Campbell, Otautau), 1 at OOgns (H. B. Brereton, Whataroa). R. G. Richards, Waimate: 1 at HOgns (R. and M. R. Barnett, Dunsandel), 1 at 40gns (D. W. Sheat, Dunsandel). T. E. M. Brooks, Brookside: 1 at SOgns (J. Deans, Rlccarton). J. A. Brown, Oamaru: 1 at 200gns (A. P. Smith, West Eyreton), 1 at 220gns (A. T. Heron, Oamaru). J. A. Ferguson, Lumsden: 1 at SOgns (J. G. Crawford, Ashburton). W. E. Jones, Ltd., Masterton: 1 at SOgns (Beckett Brothers, Cheviot). D. C. McMillan, Irwell: 1 at HOgns (W. H. Mee, Omakau).

Pyne, Could, Guinness Ltd., sold on account of:— A. D. Wyllle and Company, Omihi: 1 at lOOgns (T. E. M. Brooks, Brookside).

D. C. McMillan, Irwell: 1 at 70gns (H. D. Bowron, Waiau), 1 at 155gns (J. Crawford, Ashburton). J. D. and W. T. Robertson and Company, Gore: 1 at 215gns (E. J. Drake, Auckland). N. J. Early and E. A. Lock, Mayfield: I at 32)gns (W. A. Franks. Ashburton). F. W. Jarman, Darfleld: 1 at 85gns (J. R. Croy and R. H. Thorne, Oxford). R. G. Richards, Waimate: 1 at SOgns (C. M. Sheat, Dunsandel). W. E. Moorhead, Southbridge: 1 at 37igns (K. H. Boyle, Christchurch).

C. McCaskey, Amberley: 1 at 32igns (L. C: Early, Hororata). J. A. Brown, Oamaru: 1 at 210gns fisherwood Brothers. Ashburton). Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., sold on account of:— R. G. Richards, Waimate: 1 at 40gns (Lochhead Estate, Leeston).

J. C. Medlicott and Son, Waimate: 1 at 130gns (H. M. King, Ashburton), 1 at SOgns (J. McL. Syme, Darfield). D. C. McMillan, Irwell: 1 at lOOgns (F. C. Rldgen, Greendale). T. E. M. Brooks, Brookkslde: 1 at 50gns (Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., Blenheim, on account of G. M. Langridge). J. D. and W. T. Robertson and Company, Gore: 1 at 90gns (R. H. Thorne and J. R. Croy, Oxford). K. H. A. Langridge, Seddon: 1 at 37igns (D. I. and G. W. Wright, Phoebe), 1 at 55gns (N.M.A. on account of Morton Brothers, Duvauchelle). D. H. Robertson and Company, Gore: 1 at 35gns (D. Deans and Son, Darfield). J. A. Brown, Oamaru: 1 at 175gns (Kennedy Brothers, Totara Flat). F. W. Jarman, Darfield: 1 at 245gns (Farmers' Stud Stock Company as agents for A. E. Huntz, Wakefield). A. D. Wyltie and Company, Omihi: 1 at 120gns (J. P. Marshall, Darfield). W. J. Dysart, Seddon: 1 at 35gns (W. W. Thompson, Ashburton). J. Petrie and Sons’, Swannanoa: 1 at 57igns (1. R. Jordan, Blenheim). Stoneylea Farm, Ltd., Christchurch, R.D.: 1 at 35gns (H. E. Jenkins, Darfield). SOUTH SUFFOLKS Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., sold on account of:— G. D. Neave, Irwell: 1 at 85gns (E. J. Drake, Auckland). L. G. Smith, Gore: 1 at 35gns (Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., Hamilton, on account of J, Jeffries). National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., and H. Matson and Co., Ltd., sold on account of:— H. C. Vanstone, Little River: 1 at SOgns (Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., Hamilton). New Zealand Farmers’ Co-op-erative Association, Ltd., In conjunction with The Farmers* Stud Stock Company, Ltd., sold on account of: — J. R. Bruce, Ashburton: 1 at 37igns (V. Craw, Chorlton). ROMNEY MARSH National Mortgage and Agency Company, sold on account of: Raymond Oakley, Ashburton, 1 at 125gns (B. R. Wills, Marula); 1 at 230gns (J. P. Shuttleworth and Son, Nelson). J. Brown, Ashburton, 1 at 40gns (A. L. McKercher, Cave). Beechwood Trust. Culverden, 1 at 70gns (S. J. B. Campbell, Timaru). J. D. and W. T. Robertson and Company, Gore, 1 at 250gns (B. J. Breen, Ashburton). I. R. Oakley, Mayfield, 1 at 175gns (Levin and Company, Nelson, as agents). C. R. Humphries and Company, Gore, 1 at 210gns (Farmers' Stud Stock Company, Stratford, on account of estate W. Talbot). New Zealand Farmers’ Cooperative Association, Ltd., In association with the Farmers’ Stock Stud Company, Ltd., sold on account of:

J. D. and W. T. Robertson and Company, Gore, 1 at 250gns (E. S. Taylor, Woodend). Raymond Oakley, Ashburton, 1 at ISOgns (W. A. Buchan, Ashburton); 1 at 22Sgns (J. P. Shuttleworth and Son, Nelson). I. R. Oakley, Mayfield, 1 at 150gns (Baker Farms, Ltd., Hamilton). C. R. Humphries and Company, Gore, 1 at 250gns (Farmers* Stud Stock Company, Stratford, on account of estate W. Talbot). Rannoch Trust, Darfield, 1 at 40gns (A. L. McKercher, Cave). Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., sold on account of: J. D .and W. T. Robertson and Company, Gore, 1 at 200gns (Fernlehurst Estate, Parnassus); 1 at 229gns (Estate G, L. Rutherford, Parnassus). J. Brown, Ashburton, 1 at 50gnS (B. R. Wills, Marula). H. R. and D. A. Scott, Ashburton, 1 at 90gns (H. B. Brereton, Hokitika). Rannoch Trust, Darfleld, 1 at 40gns <A. L. McKercher, Cave). W. L. Aynsley, Gore, 1 at 50gne (Wright, Stephenson and Company, Dunedin). Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., sold on account of: R. J. Mcßae, EUesmere, 1 at 130gns (H. Gregory Hunt, Pittf Island). Raymond Oakley, Ashburton,

1 at HOgns (0. R. Chamberlain, Ellesmere). CORRIEDALR Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., sold on account of: R. H. Branch, Christchurch, 1 at 75gns (R. B. Pawsey, Ashburton).

W. Dampier-Crossley, Parnassus, 1 at 200gns (C. N. McKenzie, Happy Valley). Robert Robinson, Ashburton, 1 at 210gns (T. Morris, Amberley). W. R. E. and F. E. Booker, Hawarden, 1 at 170gns (A. L. Mathias and Sons, Watplata). D. L. Ensor Trust, Methven, 1 at 130gns (C. P. Wright, Ash, burton). Estate H. T. Little, Hawarden, 1 at lOagns (H. Fitzsimmons, Scargill). F. C. Rldgen, Greendale, 1 at 170gns (J. Pattie, Seddon, and R. F. Parker. Clarence Bridge). Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., sold on account of: P. N. Martin, Ashburton, 1 at ISOgns (V. W. Boag and Son. Ashburton). R. H. Branch, Ashburton, 1 at 47Jgns (W. Dampier-Cross-ley, Parnassus). F. C. Rldgen, Greendale, 1 at 310gns (J. F. G. Blakely, Waikari). Estate James Reid, Ltd., Darfleld, 1 at 42jgns fPaparua Prison Farm, Paparua). Robert Robinson, Ashburton, 1 at 270gns (C. G. Robinson, Te Pirita). National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold on account of: F. C. Ridgen, Greendale. 1 at lOOgns (Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Blenheim, on account A. Hamilton). W. K. E. and F. E. Booker, Hawarden, 1 at HOgns (New Zealand Farmers* Co-operative Association, Christchurch, on account J. T. Denton and Son, Southbridge). BORDER LEICESTER Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., sold on account of:— H. W. Farquhar, Culverden, 1 at 145gns (Longnewton Trust, Ashburton); 1 at SOgns (Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., on account of G. A. Pearce, Tirau). Stonelea Farm, Ltd., Christchurch, 1 at SOgns (Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., Te Awamutu, on account of W. S. Montgomery). Westmere Farming Company, Ltd., Ashburton, 1 at SOgns (R. Anderson, Winton). New Zealand Farmers’ Cooperative Association, Ltd., In association with The Farmers' Stud Stock Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— P. H. Letham, Ashburton, 1 at 40gns (Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., on account of Plrinoa North Stud, North Auckland). R. J. Low and Sons, Rakala, 1 at lOSgns (Mrs P. Richards, Timaru); 1 at SOgns (Beckett Brothers, Cheviot). H. W. Farquhar, Culverden. 1 at 40gns (C. T. A. Ward and Sons, Newlands). R. M. Wallace, Waipara, 1 at 37jgns (P. Sheehan, Timaru).

Pyne, Gould, Gulnneu Ltd. sold on account of:— M. E. Gaffaney, Timaru. 1 at 35gns (A. Wheeler, Marton). R. E. Gunn, Darfield. 1 at SOgns (T. J. Watkinson, Sandy Knolls); 1 at 80gns (E. S. Bolting and Son, Balclutha). R. J. Low and Sons, Rakala, 1 at 45gns (J. D. Paterson. Sheffield); 1 at «2igns (R. Anderson, Winton). Westmere Farming Company. Ltd., Ashburton, 1 at flOgns (A. Wheeler, Marton). National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— R. E. Gunn. Darfleld. 1 at 574gns (National Mortgage and Agency, Ashburton). R. J. Low and Sons, Rakala, 1 at SOgns (D. R. Langley, Rakala). J. A. Thompson, Oamaru, 1 at 75gns (National Mortgage and Agency. Christchurch, on account of Stoneylea Farm, Ltd.). Westmere Farming Company, Ltd., Ashburton. 1 at S2gns (H. W. Farquhar, Culverden). ENGLISH LEICESTER Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd. sold on account of:— Bennett Brothers. Ashburton, 1 at SOgns (N. Bennett, 4 R.D., Ashburton); 1 at 32igns (N. G. Bruce, Blenheim). Estate James Reid, Ltd.. Darfleld, 1 at 32jgns (B. L. Richards, Ashburton); 1 at 321gna (W. H. Mee, Central Otago). New Zealand Farmers* Cooperative Association, Ltd., In association with The Farmers* Stock Stud Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— R. J. Low and Sons, Rakala, 1 at OOgns (W. L. Clucas. Ashburton); 2 at 40gn« (Henshaw Brothers, Culverden). Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., sold on account of:— R. J. Low and Sons, Rakala, 1 at SOgns (R. N. Clucas, Ashburton); 1 at 80gns (J. R. Todhunter, Rakala Gorge). Beechwood Trust, Culverden. 1 at 40gns (H. G. Hartnell, Culverden). Estate James Reid, Ltd., Darfleld. 1 at 45gns (B. L. Richards. Ashburton). E. S. Taylor. Woodend. 1 at 40gns (Estate James Stevenson, Flaxton). LINCOLN Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd. sold on account of: — N. Godsiff, Blenheim, 1 at 60gns (Cunningham Estate,, Brookside). New Zealand Farmers’ Cooperative Association, Ltd., In association with The Farmers* Stud Stock Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— N. Godsiff, Blenheim, 1 at 35gns (National Mortgage Association, Timaru, on account of Mount Nessing Station). National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— N. Godsiff, Blenheim, 1 at 52jgns (J. Ferguson, Lumsden).