S. CANTERBURY EWE FAIRS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 6

S. CANTERBURY EWE FAIRS

Price Recession In Evidence There was a strong buyer resistance at the annual adult ewe fair at the Geraldine saleyards, buyers showing marked preference for sound constitution and good mouths, the quantity of sales avlng little bearing on the The bulk of the better type of ewes changed hands at 45s to u °?. y "even pens making better than the latter figure. Top price went to A. F. Roberta with a line of 215 four-year Romney ewes, sold at 01s. The range of prices was: Best Romney four-year ewes, 48s to 61s: medium Romney tour to five-year, 45s to 525: sound mouth ewes. S7s to 455; oneyear ewss, 30s to 365. Holme Station Adult ewes were still further reduced In price at the Holme Station fair. Entries were about the same aa last season but, except for a few pens, the quality and general condition was not •s good as at previous fairs in South Canterbury. Prices, tn consequence, were several shillings lower. The best of the ewes, with sound mouths and carrying from 31b to Sib of wool, sold from 38s to 43s 6d, while the top line of four-year ewes made to 44s 6d. Only ten pens in the sale realised 40s or better, the bulk of the yarding chanring hands at from 28s 6d to 38s.

The price range was: Best tour and five-year ewes, 33s to 37s fid; Inferior four and five-year ewes, 28s fid to 32s fid. Walmate

There was a yarding of about 5000 lambs and 9000 ewes at the first fair of the season at Studholme. There was quite a good demand for two-tooth ewes, including even the poorer classes, but the values ruling were not up to those st last year's fair. The top price of 89s for a pen of 120 Romneys sold on behalf of Mr W. H. Meyer (Hunter), was considerably below the 137 s received last year tor the seme vendor's sheep. Mr Meyer also gained top price for a pen of 100 Romney lambs. Less Interest was taken in the lambs, and the sale generally was dragging, values showing a marked drop on recent rates. Waihao Forks A further recession in values was evidenced at the Waihao Forks ewe end wether lamb and two-tooth ewe fair, when lambs realised even lower prices than the rates ruling at Studholme. Values for ewes, however, after a weak beginning, Improved as the sale proceeded, to reach par. Ewe lambs sold st fully 2s lower than at Studholme. end there wes only a poor inquiry for a small entry of wether lambs.

A line of 130 Romney ewe lambs made the top price of 50s for R. A. Colville, and an attractive line of 300 Border LeteesterCorriedale lambs sold at fits fid for A. B. Powell.

Top price for two-tooth ewes of 86s was realised for 120 Corriedale ewes sold on secount of Overland Farm. Ltd. Two, Unas of Romneys were sold st 85s on behalf of J. Bell and R. I. Cutler.