N.Z. ram sells best

Press, 24 July 1986, Page 2

N.Z. ram sells best

By

JOHN MULLINDER

in Edmonton

A New Zealand ram brought the top show price of sCan6ooo ($8047) at a one-day international sheep auction in Edmonton, Alberta, this week. Bred by Mr Harry Brenssell, of the Tresco Stud, at Heriot, West Otago, the Romney ram was one of 38 New Zealand sheep to take part in the sale. Most of the offering was Canadian and United States breeds. Mr Brenssell said he was pleased about the result, pointing out that his supreme reserve champion (over ail breeds) had sold for more than the supreme show champion itself.

The demand for Romneys was there, he said, and he had had requests from private companies for live lambs, with the intention of fattening them up in Canadian feedlots. A Southdown ewe, also from Mr Brenssell, fetched a new American record price of SNZ36BB. But in spite of his successes, the Heriot breeder will barely break even: it cost $2400 to get each sheep to the show. Mr Brenssell is philosophical, saying that it was important for promotional purposes to get a foot in the market. This was also the attitude of a Wanganui stud breeder, Mr Cam Campion, whose top result among his eight offering

was only $lB7B for a Romney ewe. An Ashburton breeder, Mr Ivan Oakley, did rather better, his sole Rinaultrie ram fetching close to $4OOO. The top price paid for the six Dorset rams on show was $3084 for a JoAnne Stuart Punawai Poll Dorset from Mangakino.

The best result for New Zealand Hampshires, meanwhile, was not achieved at the show. Mr Brian Brenssell, of Crookston, in West Otago, withdrew’ his sheep from sale when it did not reach his reserve price. In spite of incurring a 10 per cent penalty for doing so, he made good on the deal, selling the Hampshire yearling privately for SUS3SO later.