Irregular Price Pattern At Flock Ram Fair

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30681, 22 February 1965, Page 18

Irregular Price Pattern At Flock Ram Fair

There was a rather irregular pattern about the mutton breeds’ section of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s flock ram fair at the Addington Show Grounds on Saturday.

In the major Southdown section the supply again far exceeded demand, and the average price declined by about 10 per cent on last year’s fair. Some other breeds represented by smaller numbers of rams brought a better average than last year, and for these there was a good clearance.

The average for Dorset Downs jumped by nearly 40 per cent and the average level of prices for South Dorset Downs was better by 30 per cent, and for South Suffolks by 26i per cent. For English Leicesters the average price was also 18 per cent better than last fair, but Dorset Horns and Border Leicesters did not do so well —the average for Border Leicesters was back by 17 per cent. An innovation this year was the holding of the sale on a Saturday, and comments around the selling pavilion suggested that this did not find much favour, especially from stock firm employees and transport operators, and the remark was heard from the selling rail in the final stages of the Southdown sale that this was likely to be the last fair to be held on a Saturday. In general, however, the competition was probably not much affected by the sale being held at the week-end. The trend of recent years for fewer and fewer rams to be bought at auction at this fair was maintained on Saturday. A total of 761 rams were taken at auction, which was 48 per cent of the 1586 rams which came before buyers. Last year 863 were bought out of about 2000 offered, in 1963 1124 out of 2253, and in 1962 purchases amounted to 1224, in 1961 to 1360, and in 1960 to 1768. On Saturday the passings were heaviest in the Southdown section, where only 46 per cent of the offering was sold. There was a rather better result for the other breeds, with about 56 per cent of the selection being quitted under the hammer. A complaint of other years that the sale was tending to get too early was met to some extent this year by holding the sale two weeks later, but one breeder was still heard to say that the sale was too early. Catalogued entries for the fair totalled 1925, compared with 2146 last year. Southdown Sale In the Southdown section buyers concentrated on the sheep of well-known breeders, and even for these the average level of values was a little lower than last year. The sale also tended to tail off towards the end, with the proportion of passings steadily increasing.

A total of 602 rams out of 1305 offered were sold at auction. This represented a disposal of 46 per cent. The average for the sale was just a little more than lllgns, which was about Ugns, or 10 per cent, back on last year. Last year 666 were sold at an average of just under 13gns.

The best of the rams sold from about 20gns to 37gns, with good at 15gns to 20gns, average at lOgns to 14gns, and the others down to the upset price of 7gns. Again D. C. McMillan (Lochaber, IrwellX topped the market with a pen of two selling, as last year, to H. M. King, of Ashburton, for 37gns—last year Mr King paid 35gns for the market toppers. Mr McMillan, who again had the top average of the sale with 25 rams selling from 14 to 37gns, averaging 22 l-6gns compared with 23 2-3gns for 21 last year, also had among his sales five rams at 26gns, four at 24gns, and three at 21gns. W. E. Moorhead (Southbridge) also had a single ram at 30gns, and D. W. Sheat (Dunsandel) sold two at 21gns each. Mr Sheat secured one of the best averages of the day with 17rams selling from 12 to 21gns, averaging 171gns, which was exactly the same as his average last year for 18 rams. E. J. Whyte (Wattle Grove, Waipara) averaged almost 15gns for 25 selling from 13 to 19igns compared with 16gns last year for 16. For 16 W. E. Moorhead, of Southbridge, averaged just under 14gns, with his rams selling from 10 to 30gns. P. J. and H. C. Abbott (Mornish, Southbridge) selling 17 at 12 to 17gns averaged just over 13|gns, and D. N. Campion (Rakaia), selling eight at 13 to Ugns, averaged 13*gns, compared with the same number last year averaging just over 16|gns. J. G. Crawford (Pendarves) averaged 13 l-sgns for 27 ranging from 10 to 16gns, whereas last year he averaged 15gns for 24. K. H. A. Langridge (Seddon) also averaged 13gns for nine. With a big team of 37 sold under the hammer, T. E. M. Brooks, of Brookside, averaged 12|gns, with sales at 9jgns to 18gns, compared with 27 selling last year at an average of 16gns. Other good averages included 30 from F. C. Ridgen (Brooklyn, Greendale) and 15 from R. L. A. McMillan (Sudeley, Irwell) at 12 2-3gns, 13 from I. P. Chamberlain (Norwood) at 12Agns and 10 from J. D. Galpin. Ltd. (Christchurch), at 12gns. The gallery included buyers from the West Coast, and an odd sale was made to the North Island. South Suffolk South Suffolks comprised the next largest breed in the sale, with 92 coming forward. However, entries were well down on last year, when 126 were offered. This year a better clearance was made with 65 of the 92—more than two-thirds of the entry—finding a buyer at auction, compared with only 44 of the 126 entered last year. Prices were also markedly better than last year, with the top sale of 30gns being made by D. J. and J. Stewart, of Rosebank, Rakaia. G. Burrows (Geraldine), purchased this ram. Rosebank rams came forward in larger number than last year and the 29 sold average 15.3gns. Last year the average

for the Rosebank rams was 10.4gns. The average price for the 65 South Suffolks sold was 14.2gns compared with 11.3gns last year when the top price was 19gns. G. D. Neave’s Meadowbank rams from Irwell sold well with 17 averaging 12.8gns. The top price paid for Meadowbank rams was 17gns for a pen of two. J. D. Galpin, Ltd., No. 3 R.D., Christchurch, sold eight rams at an average price of 13.5gns, with two being sold for 19gns. W. M. Early (Montalto), averaged slightly more than 13gns for the seven he sold, with his top sale being at 22gns. The best of the South Suffolks sold from 19gns to 30gns, medium at 13gns to 17gns and others at lOgns to 12gns. Border Leicester Interest in Border Leicester rams was not marked, only slightly more than half the offering being sold at auction at prices which did not reach the level of last year. Entries were also down but the clearance of rams was better. Of the 48 offered 29 were sold at an average price of 9.Bgns, compared with 47 sold of the 130 offered last year at an average price of ll.Sgns. Top price of this year’s sale was only 19gns, compared with 35gns last year. The New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Canterbury bought the top-priced ram from the Estate W. B. Scott, Coldstream. Eleven rams sold by this vendor averaged 9.Bgns. The best of the Border Leicesters ranged from 12gns to 19gns, with medium selling at 9gns to llgns and others at 7Jgns to Signs. English Leicesters Only 11 of the 43 English Leicester rams were sold at auction and this section of the sale was rather dull, many pens being passed at the upset price. However, the average price of 12.8gns, as against 10.9gns last year, and the top price, 15gns, compared with Ugns last year, were slightly better. The Estate James Reid, Riversleigh, Darfield, sold the highest priced ram to M. Spencer Bower, Swannanoa. Eight Riversieigh rams realised an average price of 12.4gns. Values for the best English Leicesters ranged between 14gris and 15gns, with others making Uigns to 13igns. South Dorset Downs A particularly good clearance was made in the South Dorset Downs pens, when a much smaller entry than last year came forward. Only two of the 29 rams offered did not find a buyer by auction. Last year only 40 of the 85 offered were sold under the hammer. Values also showed an appreciable gain on last year, with the average price for the sale being 19.4gns, compared with 14.9gns last year, while the best price also rose from 25gns to 37igns. H. M. King, Dalness, Ashburton, was paid 37igns for one ram, by J. and S. McLean (Omihi), while another of the Dalness rams brought 29gns. D. C. Kelman, Geraldine Flat, averaged 22gns for 10 rams, with his top entry making 27gns. L. H. Johnson, Irvine Farm, Dunsandel, sold six rams at up to 21gns and averaged 19.5gns. The best of the South Dorset Downs made from 21gns to 29gns, with one at 37igns; average to good from 15}gns to 20gns and others down to 9igns. Dorset Horn There was a sharp rise in the number of Dorset Horn rams offered to 24 from only three last year. However, only a-quarter were sold at auction, with many not getting beyond the upset price. Only two vendors were represented. Last year all three entries found a buyer during the sale. The average price dropped quite steeply from 16.3gns last year r to 9.sgns this year and the top price, of llgns, paid by O. R. Chamberlain and Son, Ellesmere, for an entry from J. H. K. Woodhouse, Racecourse Hill, was also markedly below the 17gns realised for the top ram last eyar. Rams from Mr Woodhouse sold from Signs to llgns and averaged 9.75gns for four, while H. C. Urlwin. Manor Park, Oxford, sold two at 9gns. Dorset Down Only one of the 11 Dorset Down rams offered did not find a buyer at auction. The 10 rams averaged 26.45gns compared with 19.1gns for the 34 sold of the 47 offered last year. The top price was also considerably above that of last year—47gns compared with 31gns. O. L. and H. H. Davies, Waiau, bought the highest priced ram from D. C. Kelman, Geraldine Flat. Another entry from this vendor made 42igns. Other good type Dorset Downs made from 25gns to 34gns, with others selling down to between Bgns and llgns. Poll Dorset Ten Poll Dorsets came forward, compared with only two last year, but whereas both were sold at the previous sale only five found a buyer this year. H. C. Urlwin, of Manor Park was the only vendor and he averaged B.4gns for the five rams sold—three at Bgns and two at 9gns. C. Gilmore, Lyttelton, purchased the two rams bringing 9gns. Last year the rams sold at Bgns and lOgns. Suffolk Six of the eight Suffolk rams, all of which were entered by Campbell and Hart, of Rokeby, were sold at auction. They averaged 13gns, with a top price of 17gns for two being paid by W. Minehan, Hari Hari. Last

year five of the nine rams, offered were sold at an average of 13.6gns. with Campbell and Hart realising the top price of Ugns. Ryeland None of the 16 Ryeland rams offered found a buyer at auction, and most of the entries did not raise one bid. Last year eight Ryelands of the 12 offered were sold at prices rang, ing between 7|gns and Sgns. Details of sales were: SOUTHDOWNS N.Z. Farmers* Co-op. Assn., Ltd., in association with the Farmers' Stud Stock Co., Ltd., sold on account of: E. J. Whyte. Wattle Grove: 7 at Ugns. R. L. A. McMillan. Sudeley: 3 at 12gns, 2 at lOgns. W. E. Moorhead. Southbridge: 3 at 14 gns. 3 at 12gns, 3 at 13gns. 1 at 30gns. A. G. Moorhead, Southbridge: 4 at lOgns. R. M. Wallace. Wai par a: 1 at 17gns, 2 at lOgns. C. and J. McCaskcy, Amberley: 1 at Ugns, 3 at Sgns, 2 at Signs. P. H. Letham, Ashburton: 2 at Sgns. K. H. Jarman, Essendon: 4 at llgns. E. R. J. Stewart, Darfield: 2 at lOgns. D. W. Sheat. Dunsandel: 3 at I6gns, 5 at ISgns, 3 at 17gns, 2 at 21gns, 2 at Ugns. 2 at 12gns. W. N. Lowery, Dairy: 2 at llgns. 2 at Sgns. Beckett Brothers, Phoebe: 2 at Sgns. F. C. Ridgen, Brooklyn: 3 at I3gns. I. P. Chamberlain, Norwood: 3 at Ugns, 2 at 17gns, 3 at lOgns, 2 at 12gns, 1 at 16gns. G. H. Burrows, Arundel: 3 at lOgns. S. Pearce and Son, Stoneleigh: 3 at lOgns. R. J. Miller and Son, Southbridge: 3 at 9gns. T. E. M. Brooks, Brookside: 4 at Ugns, 3 at 12gns, 2 at llgns. H. G. Petrie, Woodend: 2 at 7|gns. C. H. Sheat, Dunsandel: 5 at Sgns. F. J. Pearce and Sons, Ltd., Aylesbury: 3 at 9 gns. 3 at Sgns. D. C. McMillan, Lochaber: 1 at ISgns, 3 at Ugns. W. M. Early, Ashburton: 3 at lOigns. C. O. Redfern, Elmhurst: 3 at 9gns. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., sold on account of: R. E. Gunn, Darfield: 4 at Ugns, 4 at lOgns. T. E. M. Brooks, Brookside: 3 at llgns, 2 at 12gns. E. A.. J. Wilson, Norwood Farm: 3 at lOgns. G. R. Bedford, Darfield: 4 at Sgns, 5 at 7gns. W. E. Moorhead. Southbridge: 3 at lOgns, 3 at 15gns. L. A. and E. J. Christey, Southbridge: 2 at 9gns, 7 at 10 gns. S. Pearce and Son, Stoneleigh: 3 at 9gns. C. and J. McCaskey, Waipara: 1 at 13gns, 1 at llgns, 2 at 10 gns, 2 at 9gns, 3 at Signs. D. N. Campion, Rakaia: 4 at 13gns, 4 at Ugns. R. L. A. McMillan, Sudeley: 3 at 12gns. J. H. Paterson, Amberley: 9 at 9gns. D. C. McMillan, Lochaber: 4 at 24gns, 2 at 37gns. A. G. Moorhead, Southbridge: 2 at 12gns, 3 at Ugns. Huntly Hill Farm, Springbank: 4 at 9gns, 8 at Sgns. J. G. Crawford, Ashburton: 4 at 13gns, S at llgns. 5 at Ugns, 4 at Ugns, 3 at 15igns. C. A. Adams, Greendale: 4 at Ugns. W. M. Early, Ashburton: 3 at 9gns. C. D. Redfern, Darfield: 5 at lOgns. E. J. Whyte, Wattle Grove: 2 at 15gns. National Mortgage and Agency Company Ltd., sold on account of:— H. G. Petrie, Woodend: 5 at 9gns. F. J. Pearce and Sons, Aylesbury: 5 at 9gns. J. G. Gunn, 2 at lOgns. D. C. McMillan, Lochaber: 5 at 26gns, 3 at 21gns. K. H. A. Langridge, Seddon: 5 at 17gns, 1 at lOgns. T. E. M. Brooks, Brookside: 4 at Ugns, 3 at 12igns, 3 at 13 gns, 5 at 18gns. A. Zuppicich. Broadfields: 2 at Ugns, 6 at lOgns, 4 at 12gns, 3 at Sgns. Estate W. Lochhead, Altonbrook: 5 at 7igns, 5 at Sgns. W. N. Lowery, Dairy: 2 at lOgns, 4 at Sgns, 3 at 7igns. M. R. Petrie, Swannanoa: 3 at 12gns, 2 at lOgns. S. Pearce and Son, Stoneleigh: 2 at lOgns. 2 at 9gns. C. O. Redfern, Darfield: 3 at 9gns. R. E. Gunn, Darfield: 4 at 10 gns, 3 at llgns. R. L. A. McMillan, Sudeley: 4 at Ugns. 3 at Ugns. H. W. J. Adams, Greendale: 4 at 12gns, 4 at lOigns, 5 at lOgns, 4 at Sgns. C. A. Adams, Greendale: 4 at 9ns, 3 at 13igns. A. A. Brooks Brookside: 3 at lOgns, 3 at Sgns, 2 at 12gns. P. J. and H. S. Abbott, Mornish: 7 at 13gns, 6 at 12gns, 4 at 17gns. A. V. Reid and Sons, Irwell: 3 at Sgns. L. H. Johnson, Irvine Farm: 3 at lligns, 19 at Sgns, 4 at 7igns. I. P. Chamberlain, Norwood: 2 at Sgns. R. C. Adams, Greendale: 2 at lOigns. Estate W. Lochhead, Altonbrook: 10 at 7igns. A. G. Moorhead Southbridge: 4 at lOgns. J. D. Galpin, Ltd., Christchurch: 3 at lligns. S. T. and Estate J. D. Madeley, Kaiapoi: 5 at Sgns. E. J. Whyte. Wattle Grove: 3 at 14igns. F. C. Ridgen, Brooklyn: 4 at lOgns. J. S. Brooks, Irwell: 3 at Sgns. Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., sold on account of: J. D. Galpin, Ltd., Christchurch: 4 at Ugns, 3 at Bgns. F. J. Pearce and Sons, Ltd., Aylesbury: 4 at 15Jgns, 3 at lligns, 3 at 9gns. J. Deans, Riccarton: 5 at 7gns, 5 at 7Jgns. J. S. Brooks, Irwell: 2 at 13 gns, 2 at 13igns, 9 at Ugns, 1 at lligns, 3 at lOgns, 3 at 12igns, 2 at 9gns 1 at Sgns. P. R. Jebson, Flockton: 6 at lOgns. J. and M. Redfern, Darfield: 2 at 9 gns; 2 at 9jgns. F. C. Ridgen, Brooklyn: 4 at llgns, 3 at 12|gns, 4 at 15gns. 3 at 17gns, 7 at Ugns, 2 at ISgns. S. Pearce and Son, Stoneleigh: 4 at Ugns, 3 at Ugns. D. C. Collin Wairua: 2 at Sgns.

, E. J. Whyte, Wattle Grove: 1; at 19Jgns,* 4 at 19gns. 6 at 113gns, 4 at lOgns, 2 at 13$gns. 1 W. M. Early. Ashburton; 3 at 'Sgns. I D. C. McMillan. Lochaber: 5 at 19gns. 2 at ISgns. H. G. Petrie. Woodend: 2 at lOgns. W. N. Lowery, Dairy: 2 at 12 gns, 3 at 9igns. T. C. Callaghan Willowcrest: 2 at Sgns. J 4. G. Crawford, Ashburton: 3 at lOgns. K. H. A. Langridge. Scddon: 3 at 7Jgns. j T. E. M. Brooks. Brookside: 1 ; at 12gns, 7 at 9jgns. DORSET DOWN Dalgety and New Zealand Loan, Ltd., sold on account of: I W. H. and K. J. Oliver, Monavale: 2 at Sgns. 1 Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., solid on account of: D. C. Kelman. Geraldine Flat: 1 at 42-Jgns. W. H. and K. J. Oliver. Monavale: 1 at llgns. | D. O. Masefield Gough's Bay: 12 at 34gns, 1 at 27gns. Brothers of St. John of God. | Marylands: 1 at 28gns, 1 all 25gns. National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold on * account of: ■! D. C. Kelman, Geraldine Flat: ' > 1 at 47gns. POLL DORSET National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd. sold on account of: H. C. Urlwin, Manor Park: 2 at 9gns. N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. Association, Ltd., in association with the Farmers* Stud Stock Company, Ltd. sold on account of: H. C. Urlwin, Manor Park: 3 at Sgns. BORDER LEICESTER National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd. sold on account of: Estate W. B. Scott, Coldstream: 2 at 13Jgns. J. G. Gunn, Braemore: 1 at 12lgns. Miss M. E. Adams, Greendale: 2 at 9Agns. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd. sold on account of: J. D. Paterson. Darfield: 1 at Sgns: 1 at HAgns. Eric Thomson, Halkett: 2 at 7igns. Mrs M. E. Adams, Greendale: 1 at 9gns. P. H. Letham, Ashburton: 2 at 12gns. Dalgety and N.Z. Loan, Ltd. sold on account of: P. R. Jebson, Flockton: 1 at Signs. Estate W. B. Scott, Cold stream: 4 at 7Jgns. Eric Thomson, Halkett: 2 al 9gns. N.Z. Farmers* Co-op. Association, Ltd., in association with The Farmers’ Stud Stock Company, Ltd. sold on account of: Estate W. B. Scott, Coldstream: 4 at Sgns, 1 at 19gns. P. H. Letham, Ashburton: 2 at lOgns. R. M. Wallace, Waipara: 2 at llgns. SOUTH SUFFOLK National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd. sold on account of: W. M. Early, Montalto: 2 at 13gns. G. D. Neave, Meadowbank: 3 at 14Jgns: 3 at lOgns. H. C. Vansford, Little River: 1 at 20gns: 1 at 13gns. D. J. and J. Stewart, Rosebank: 3 at 13gns. J. D. Galpin, Ltd., No. 3 R D. Christchurch: 2 at 12gns: 2 at llgns. N.Z. Farmers* Co-op. Association, Ltd. in association with The Farmers’ Stud Stock Company, Ltd., sold on account of: D. J. and J. Stewart, Rosebank: 3 at 13gns. G. D. Neave, Meadowbank: 3 at 14gns. J. D. Galpin, Ltd., No. 3 R.D., Christchurch: 2 at 12gns. W. M. Early, Montalto: 1 at 22gns; 1 at lOgns. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd. sold on account of: W. M. Early, Montalto: 1 at 13|gns. G. D. Neave, Meadowbank: 3 at llgns. D. J. and J. Stewart, Rosebank: 1 at 30gns; 2 at 17gns; 2 at 20gns; 2 at 19gns; 5 at 15gns: 2 at ISgns; 2 at 16gns; 2 at lOgns; 1 at 12gns; 1 at 14gns. Dalgety andr N.Z. Loan, Ltd., sold on account of: G. D. Neave, Irwell: 2 at 17gns; 3 at 12gns. Campbell and Hart, Rakaia: 2 at 14gns. W. M. Early, Montalto: 2 at lOgns. J. D. Galpin, Ltd., No. 3 RD., Christchurch: 2 at 19gns. D. J. and J. Stewart, Rosebank: 3 at 12gns. SOUTH DORSET DOWN Dalgety and N.Z. Loan, Ltd., sold on account of: F. G. and J. G. Collins, Westering: 3 at 15Agns, 4 at 9sgns. N.Z. Farmers Co-operative As-1 sociation, Ltd. in association . with The Farmers’ Stud Stock I Company, Ltd., sold on account of: E. T. McDermott, Halswell: 1 at 20gns. National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold on account of: D. C. Kelman, Geraldine Flat: 1 at 27gns, 2 at 26$gns, 2 at 20 gns. L. H. Johnson, Irvine Farm. 2 at 21gns, 2 at 20gns, 2 at 17$ gns. H. M. King, Dalness: 1 at 37$ gns, 1 at. 29gns. R. and M. R. Barnett, Riverston: 1 at 17gns. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., sold on account of: D. C. Kelman, Geraldine Flat: 5 at 20gns. DORSET HORN Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., sold on account of: J. H. K. Woodhouse, Racecourse Hill: 2 at llgns, 2 at 8$ gns. National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., sold on account of: H. C. Urlwin, Manor Park: 2 at 9gns. SUFFOLK N.Z. Farmers* Co-op. Assn., Ltd. in association with The Farmers* Stud Stock Company, Ltd., sold on account of: Campbell and Hart, Rakaia: 2 at lOgns. Dalgety and N.Z. Loan, Ltd., sold on account of: Campbell arid Hart, Rokeby: 2 at 17gns. National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold on account of: Campbell and Hart, Rokeby: 2 at 12gns. ENGLISH LEICESTER N.Z. Farmers' Co-operative Association, Ltd. in association with The Farmers* Stud Stock Company, Ltd., sold on account of: Estate James Reid, Riversleigh: 3 at 12gns, 2 at llgns. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., sold on account of: Estate E. S. Taylor, Ravens wood: 3 at 14gns. Estate James Reid, Ltd., Riversleigh: 1 at 13gns. National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold on account of: Estate James Reid. Ltd.,

Riversleigh: 1 at 13$gns. Dalgety and N.Z. Loan, Ltd., sold on account of: Estate James Reid, Ltd., Riversleigh: 1 at 15gns.