Ewe prices down at Kaikoura fair

Press, 11 February 1981, Page 12

Ewe prices down at Kaikoura fair

Prices paid-for the best twotooth ewes at the Kakoura ewe fair yesterday were between $8 and $lO behind last year’s fair.. Only the better bred Romneys were keenly sought, and the remainder of the yarding was quite difficult to sell. Last year the top price was Soo — this for Romney two-tooths from C. . McGregor. This year Mr.'McGregor topped the market with.a sale of 86 at $24.80. Most of the two-tooths sold between $2O and $23.20. whereas last year few sold below $2B. Taking into account cartage costs from -Kaikoura, the best sheep offered this year were on about a par with the best Rom-, ney sold at the special two-tooth sale at Addington last week. However, the lighter sorts were probably $2 to $3 behnd that Addington sale. Most of the Romneys were well grown and had a good covering of wool. Some of the lighter shorts were not met with any enthusiasm and sold down to $l4. Coopworth were oversupplied and onlv the best met any demand. Most were light condition. The best : price paid for Coopworths was $2O. this for 1 — from C. Gill, but last year prices ranged between $2B and $32. In some respects adult ewes had the best of the sale. Romnevs, which last year reached $25, made $19.40. and many of the adult ewes exceeded sla. J he storv was different for Coopworths. Only a few reached $l5. and most were between $ll a *The l quality of the adult ewes yarded was more even than the two-tooths and this would

• account for the more consistent demand, especially for the even-’ I woolled Ines which would make an excellent breeding proposi- ; tion. - Only a few pens of well grown , ewe lambs were entered. These ' failed to reach last year's top i price of $22.80; the best this year i fetched $l4. Over-all ewe lamb prices were similar to wether lamb values being reached at Ad- ' dlngton during the last two weeks. The yarding increased from ’ 8581 last year to 11,154 this year. , The two-toth total was 3575 : (2638 last year), adult ewes 4555 (4181), and 3024 ewe lambs (1762). j About 60 per cent of the yard. . ing. went to local farmers, but competition from Marlborough, ' Waiau, Oxford, and Chevot was also strong. Leading sales included.— Romney two-tooths: C. A. : McGregor, 121 at $24.60, 80 at $24.80: Misses D.. E„ and M. Aitken, 177 at $23.20, 79 at $22.80; R. P. Wilson, 286 at $22.40. 131 at $22.20, 109 at $22; D. S. Kennedy, 1 16'4 at $22.30, 81 at $24.20; C. Gill, 94 at $20.80, 72 at $23.20; StoneJug Farm, 80 at $l7; D. H. and I. H. Beattie, 90 at $22.80; A. D, Lawson. 60 at $2l; M. G. Barker, 114 at $l4. Coopworth two-toths: C. Gill. 122 at $2O; A. D. Lawson, 40 at $l7: M. G. Barker, 27 at $11.40; , T. F. Smith. 77 at $l6; E. B. and I B. W. Dalzell, 87 at $l5; P. A. Acton-Adams, 80 at $12.60, 111 at

'512.80; W. W. and J. A. Gray, 78 at $15.80. Romney adult ewes: J. 11. Boyd, 107 at $19.46, 130 at $19.20; C. A. McGregor, 167 at $18.20. 34 at $l6; D. S. Kennedy, 204 at $lB. 136 at $19.20; Misses D.. E., and M. Aitken, 188 at $l5, 173 at $l4; Lakehills Partnership, 282 Romney cross at $16.60; R. G. Barratt, 212 at $15.80; S. W. Pilbrow, 158 at $10.40; Stonejug Farm, 153 at $11.20. 224 at $9.80. 110 at $9.20: D. H. and 1. C. Beattie. 65 at $11; W. W. and J. A. Gray. 254 at $11.20. Conpwrth adult ewes: J. R. Murdoch, 63 four-toths at $l5; Seaward Valley Station. 291 al $13.40. 260 at $l2, 115 at 513.26. 100 mixed age at $10.40. 100 mixed age at $lO.lO. 148 mixed a?e at $9.20; T. F. Smith, 200 at $lO.BO. 84 at $9.20; R. F. G. Latter, 303 atsl 1,164 at $9: Stonejug Farm, 155 at $11.20. 224 at $9.80. 110 at. $9.20; A. A. Boyd. -’8 at $11.50; P. A. Acton-Adam's, 100 AT fi.Jfl. Ewe lambs: F. W. Brougham. 192 Rotnncjs at $l4; Misses D., E. and M. Atken, 223 Remnevs at $l4, 130 at $13.60; C. A. McGregor, 196 Romneys at $l3: W. W. and J. A. Gray, 160 Coopworths at $11.50. 150 at $12.60. 96 at $9; T.F. Smith, 160 Coopworths at $12.99. 175 at $12.80; P. A. ActonAdams. 106 Coopworths st $9.80: P. J. and A. F. C. M.owat, 289 Coopworths at $l2; O. W. and D. A. Gibson, 86 Coopworths at $7.50: W. D. Little, 89 Coopworths at $12.50.