Breeding ewes ease at Addington

Press, 23 February 1978, Page 18

Breeding ewes ease at Addington

Considering the dry conditions in many districts, breeding ewes met a fair sale at the Addington Market yesterday.

Two-tooths were in line with last week’s rates for most of *the selling, but adult sheep shed a dollar a head. Fine woolled wether lambs sold on a buyers’ market, but the demand for Romneys was particularly good on the day. The store sheep yarding was 33,280, compared with 35,965 last week. It comprised 6985 wether lambs, 2670 ewe lambs, 11,625 two-tooth ewes, and 12,000 adult sheep. Store lambs Store lamb values did not show a great deal of change, although selling was often harder. The yarding of more than 9000 head was again made up largely of Corriedales and halfbreds, but this week there was a good selection of Romneys, and more shorn lambs than in recent weeks. The fine woolled lambs often sold on a very realistic market with rates barely up to those of last week. The Romneys, however, drew good demand from winter fatteners. Halfbred and Corrieclale wether lambs from the North Canterbury hill country sold mainly at $6.50 to $B, “with a small selection of well grown lambs, some in killable condition. at more than $9.

Romneys sold to $11.20, and there were a number of sales in the $9 to $lO range.

Ewe lambs drew limited demand, and prices were, with the odd exception, in line with wether lamb rates. Perendales sold to $12.60, Romneys to $12.40, and the fine woolled selection, mainly at $5.50 to $9. Sales of store lambs included:

Wethers: E. R. A. Florence and sons (Culverden), 500 Corriedales at $7.10 to $8.40; A. Prendergast (Tai Tapu), 63 Romneys at $11.20 to $11.50; P. Thorne (Oxford), 82 Perendales at $9.70 to $11.30; Marble Point Station (Hanmer Springs), 359 halfbreds at $6.25 to $7.50; C. H. Gilmore (Lyttelton), 97 Perendales at $9.20 to $ll, 51 Romneys at $9.40 to $10.80; E. R. S. Johnson (Russells Flat), 121 Romneys at $5.90 to $9.40; WUlesden Estate (Prices Valley), 364 Romneys at $7.20 to $9.80; J. H. Lawrence (Hawarden), 75 Corriedales at $10.60; A. J. L. Button (Hawarden), 168 Corriedales at $7.20 to $9.10; estate R. L. Jameson (Culverden). 498 Corriedales at $9.40 to $9.50; Jack’s Block (Cheviot). 108 Corriedales at $8.70. J. L. Wright and Company (Hawarden). 211 Corriedales at $8.20 to $9.60; Ballindalloch Farm (Culverden). 105 at $6.50 to $9.60; G. W. Parsons (Kaikoura), 190 Romneys at $7.30 to $9.90; E. W. Mosley (Scargill), 451 Corriedales at $5.80 to $7.70; Grasmere • Station (Cass). 106 Corriedales at is 7 to $8.70; W. D. Graydon (Ox|ford), 224 at $5.50 to $9.30; • estate E. O. Bennett (Loburn), 1251 halfbreds at $5.10 to $8.50: R. S. Johnson and Son, Ltd (Scargill), 370 Corriedales at $5.90 to $8.40. Ewe lambs: Willesden Estate (Prices Valley). 78 Romneys at $8.90; B. A. Hoban (Culverden), 130 Corriedales at $7.90 to $9.10; Grasmere Station (Cass). 115 Corriedales at $6.60 to $8.50; J. F. Gallagher (Okuku). 277 CoopWorths at $11.40 to $12.60; O. M. Brooker (Loburn), 230 Corriedales at $8.60 to $10.30; C. H. Gilmore (Lyttelton), 120 Romneys at $8.20 to $12.40: 157 Perendales at $8.20 to $12.60; E. R, A. Florence and Sons (Culverden), 466 Corriedale at $7.10 to $8.30, .With a yarding approaching 12.000 head, the two-tooth ewe offering was as much as the market could take without a marked fall in prices. Corriedales and halfbreds continued to make up the bulk of the entry, and there was also a selection of Romnevs and Perendales.

Although the market was by no means consistent, values for much of the day were much in line with those of last week. However, weight of numbers was duly felt, and in the last hour, all but the best voung ewes eased by up to a dollar a head. Agents buying to fill an export order continued to hold the market firm for the best class of ewes,, but on the day, many of the middle grade of sheep

were changing hands at $l3 to $14.50, at which they must be considered good buying. The tops of the Corriedales reached $2l, and there was an odd sale at $2O or more, but on the day it took a very good sheep to better $lB. The Romneys were the surprise—or the shock —of the sale. Few of them bettered $l5. In contrast a small selection of Perendales met an animated demand, usually at $l7 to $lB.

Sales Of two-tooth awes included:—

P. W. Small (Hororata), 342 Corriedales at $15.20 to $2O; R. S. Harrison (Domett), 165 Corriedales at $l3 to $l5; D. D. McKay (Hanmer Springs). 169 Romneys at $15.50; P. Derrett (Hororata), 171 Corriedales at $15.40 to $18.60: A. G. Dunlop (Burnham), 101 Corriedales at $15.40 to $16.40; Kalhope Farm (Port Levy), 58 Romneys at $14.80; Newton Bros (Little River), 60 Poll Dorsets at $15.10; Ellgsmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association (Leestonh 155 Border Romney Cross at $21.20; Kahautara Farm (Kirwee), 209 Corriedales at $14.60 to $20.40; Golden Acre Farm (Dunsandel), 181 Corriedales at $l3 to $14.30; estate A. Gillanders (Cheviot), 200 Corriedales at $11.50 to $14.20; G. L. Crotty (Irwell), 154 Corriedales at $20.20; R. W. Ensor, Ltd (Cheviot), 70 Corriedales at $18; Garrymere Farm (Okuku), 164 Corriedales at $14.40 to $l6; B. E. Ballis (Rangiora), 250 Romneys at $13.20 to $15.80; A. J. Murray (Clarence Bridge). 203 halfbreds at $17.20 to $17.30; L. A. Catherwood (Charing Cross), 164 Corrledales at $14.60 to $17.40; G. B. Giller (Rangiora), 361 Corriedales at $l5 to $13.20; Tokanui Farm (Purau), 189 Perendales at $13.30 to $18.60: R. A. France (Aslv burton),, 61 Perendales at $18.20; M. R. Harrison (Domett), 142 Corriedales at $15.40 to $15.60; Hayes Bros (Halkett), 123 Corriedales at $15.40; D. S. L. Dillon (Kekerengu), 248 Corriedales at $15.20 to $18.80; Willesden Estate (Prices Valley), 160 Romneys at $15.20 to $15.80; R. G. Murray (Ure Bridge), 262 Corriedales at $l6 to $17.30; Scarborough Hill Farm (Sumner), 468 Perenaale cross at $15.80 to $16.80; Gudex Bros (Whiterock), 327 halfbreds at $l3 to $17.40; J. R. B. Menzies (Hawarden), 228 halfbreds at $lO to $l2; H. R. Hammond (Culverden), 477 Romneys at $10.40 to $15.10; J. G. Murray (Clarence Bridge), 237 Corriedales at $11.20 to $l4; M. Douglas (Amberley), 80 Corriedales at 516.70; C. and J. Van der Wilt (Irwell), 177 Perendales at $l6 to $18; Beckenham Hills Partnership (Cheviot ', 628 Corriedales at $13.60 to $18.90. Adult sheep Although the adult sheep section drew a good following for most of the selling, the market was easier. At 12.000 head, numbers were 4000 fewer than last sale.

up the bulk of the entry, but this week’s selection included some useful annual lines of Romneys from Banks Peninsula. The hot day, accompanied by a dry north-wester, did nothing to help the market. Most ewes eased a dollar a head. Only the top annual lines reached $l3, and on the day, it took a good ewe to better $l2. The best of the annual line of fine-woolled ewes sold to $13.60 for some halfbreds from Marlborough. A very good line from the Rakaia Gorge fetched $l3. Good sound-mouthed ewes sold at about $8.50 to $lO. Aged ewes, suitable for holding for killing later, ranged from $5 to $7 The margin between this type of ewe and the ewe suitable for mating was often surprisingly small. Ewes In good condition for putting to the ram often had an edge on demand over others.

Buying inquiry was widespread, sales being made throughout North and Mid-Canterbury. Sales of adult breeding ewes included:

J. H. Cooke (Rakaia Gorge), 476 early-shorn four-year-old halfbreds at $l3, 253 five-year-olds at $l2; Lands and Survey Department, Glenbourne (Waiau), 267 annual draft halfbreds at $10.30; A. Prendergast (Rhodes Bush), 151 five-year-old Romneys at $10: D. L. Mason (Little River), 117 four and five-year-old Romneys at $11; J. E. Howden iPort

Levy), 230 four and five-year-old Romneys at $10.60 to $11; F. W. and G. D. Helps (Akaroa). 108 annual draft Romneys at S9AG; D. G. and P. D. Helps (Port Levy), 184 four and five-year-old Perendales, early shorn, at $l5; estate J. T. L. Knight (Lavericks Bay), 413 annual draft BorderRom neys at $11.20 to $12.20; R. G. Morris (Cheviot), 287 four-year-old Corriedales at $ll, 181 five-year-olds at $10; R. G. Murray (Kekerengu), 480 annual draft halfbreds at $l3 to $13.60; A. C. and N. O. Earl (Akaroa), 192 annual draft Perendales at $11.30; T. W. Hutchinson (Te Oka), 196 five-year-old Romneys at $11.80; Lands and Survey Department, Ruru Block (Westland), 333 five-year-old Perendales at $10; Evans Bros (Windwhistle), 226 annual draft ewes at $10.30; J. R. B. Menzies (Hawardeni, 368 annual draft halfbreds at $8 to $10.20; J. G. Lili (Sandy Knolls), 358 annual draft Corriedales at $9.30; E. C. Trewln (Oaro), 171 annual draft Corriedales at $11.50; P. J. Derrett (Hororata* 247 annua) draft Corriedales at $12.40; De Canta Bay Farm (Little Akaloa), 139 five-year-old Romneys at $10.80; J. L. Wright and Company (Hawarden), 199 five-year-old Corriedales at $10.70 to $10.80: A. J. Turnbull (Amberley), 270 annual draft Corriedales at $9 to $11.10; Faulkner Bros (Springfield), 503 five-year-olds at $lO.