Values improve again at Sheffield fair

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33478, 8 March 1974, Page 16

Values improve again at Sheffield fair

Both two-tooth and adult •heap valuM continued to firm whan the North Canterbury series of ewe fairs was continued at Sheffield on Thursday. The yarding was down by more than 2600, and with a big gallery of down-country farmers in search of replacement stock, the fair was probably the best of the season Both two-tooth and adult ewes came forward in excellent order. They had obviously recovered and fared well since the August snow storm. All credit must go to the vendors. The two-tooths, although well down In numbers, were generally well-grown, and in good sale order while as a yarding, the cast-for-age lines would rate as some of the best seen In North Canterbury this season. Vendors at this fair obviously put some preparation into their sheep. For down-country farming most were ideal for early tupping. Two-tooth ewes had an excellent sale. The fair began with a pen making *21.80, and from then on. the tone of the sale was particularly strong. Of the 24 pens offered, 12 fetched *lB or more, and there were only two sales at less than *l5

Compared with Addington the previous dav, a good many of the young sheep were more than a dollar stronger. They were also stronger by a similar margin on rates ruling at the Culverden fair a week ago Most vendors obtained good rises on last year's rates. A comparison of 14 pens of two-tooths with 16 from the same vendors last year gave an increase of *2.38

Two-tooths sold to 121.60, this being paid for the first pen from the estate of J. Milliken ißrooksdale). For 665 young halfbreds. selling at *17.90 to the top price, the estate obtained a pen average of exactly *2O. a lift of almost *3 on last veer’s returns. ,

Mount Torlesse Station (Springfield i, sold 400 halfbred twotooths at *l5 to *19.70, for a pen average of *17.42—a rise of almost *1.60 on last year Because of the snow, the annual line from Benmora Graziers was markedly reduced. Two pens of Corriedales (compared with five offered last year), sold at *17.(0 to *2O to give an improvement of more than *3 on last year.

C. A. Reed (Dalethorpei. who last year offered three pens had only one pen this year. These fetched *19.10. compared with 818 20 for the run’s top oen last year

CAST-FOR-AGE LINES Cast-for-age ewes had the best sale of the season, partly for reasons already mentioned. In contrast with recent seasons, farmers from down-country have much more scope. The adtumn is good, and a good winter feed situation seems assured This, as much as anything, appears to have given impetus to the market There is also the fact that some buyers are wanting to build up their flock numbers after having to reduce them In recent seasons.

Most vendors showed useful rises on last year's returns. A comparison of 17 main lines with 17 from the same vendors last vear, gave an increase of *1.70. The survey included one line which showed a fractional decline, and another which had improved by *2.45 The main lines sold regularly at *14.50 tn *l5 50. L. A. Ferguson, of Russell’s Flat, obtained the too price in the adult sheen section with a line of 296 early-shorn Romneys at *16.50 a rise of 30c on last year.

The top price for fine-woolled ewes off tussock was *16.30 for 365 four-vear-old Corrfedales from C. W. Reed (Daletborpe). The same vendor had a further 190 four-year-olds at *l5 80 and 324 five-year-olds at *13.60. The Dalethorpe ewes on a nen average improved bv *2.45 on last year.

The top drafting of 217 four-year-olds from the estate A. E. Milliken fetched *l5 90 (*15.80 last year). The station had a further 250 of the same age at *13.(0. and 257 five-year-olds at *l4 60 (*ll6O last year). Grasmere Station (Cass), obtained *l5 90 for its top pen of

239 five-year-old ewes, this being the top price for ewes of this age. Another 416 of the same age fetched $l5, and the balance of 162, $11.60. Other principal sales included , 297 annual draft Corriedalgs from Benmore Graziers iSpringfield), . at $l5, and a further 232 at , $14.50; 461 four-year-old half- ; breds from Mount Torlesse Station at $15.10 to $15.60. and 394 five-year-olds at $14.10 to $14.30. On last year’s rates, the Mount I ( Torlesse ewes Improved by $2.30. t Merino ewes from Mount i 1 e i y r r ■ t s s

White Station sold to *9.50, and Merino wethers from the same station at *8.50 to *lO.BO.

Yesterday’s yarding, at 9710, was 2610 fewer than last year. It consisted of 2205 two-tooth ewes (3270 last year). 6875 adult sheep (8950) and 630 ewe lambs (100).

■ The decline was attributable solely to the August snow storm. Three regular hill country vendors did not have sheep on offer this year; others had drafts whch were onlv a third or a half of their usual size.