STOCK SALES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27039, 25 March 1949, Page 7

STOCK SALES

NORTH OTAGO RAM FAIR Special to the Daily Times OAMARU, Mar. 24. A total of 198 pens involving some 800 flock rams were offered at the annual ram fair of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association at the Show Grounds to-day. No stud rams were offered. Buyers showed a decided interest in rams in good condition, and for first-class rams good prices were realised The majority of the entries were confined to North Otago breeders with a few lines in the Romney Marsh section entered by Southland sellers. Considering the dry conditions experienced in the district recently the majority of rams entered were in good condition. The sale proved erratic and biadlng started poorly but towards the middle of the day keen interest was shown but waned again as the fair advanced With the exception of ryelands, which showed a decrease in price from last year’s fair, other breeds met with a ready sale. Romney Marsh rams of which there was a fair yarding realised prices of 2 to 3gns better than last year Southdown prices also showed an increase in price and good lines sold well. William Marshall, of Waianawa secured the highest price in the Romney Marsh section of 17gns, while John Reid, of Alma, secured 14gns for a pen of Border Leicester rams. D. J. Kennedy, of Windsor, obtained 6}gns.for a one shear ram in the Ryeland section while B. Gardiner, of Peebles, secured 22Jgns in the Southdown section. The general range of prices, was Romnev Marsh, 11 to 15gns; Border Leicesters 5 to 6Jgns; outstanding, 10 to 14gns, Ryelands. 5 to 6gns; Shropshire, 8 to 9gns, Southdowns, 8 to 18gns.

WAIPIATA

In continuation of the series of stock sales in Central Otago, another auction was held at Waipiata yesterday. A total of 7614 sheep were penned The class ot sheep was mostly halfbred, and for the main part comprised annual draft lines of cast or aged ewes. Although bidding was not as free as at Oturehua, for the lower grade ewes, the sale was satisfactory. .. Buyers from Canterbury were active, while Southland interests were also represented. All classes of ewe lambs solci freely, and wet'her lambs met a good market.

§ood Romney cross two-tooth ewes, 64s- medium, 53s to 575; medium halfbred two-tooth ewes, 43s 9d to 46s 6d; small halfbred two-tooth ewes, 35s to 40s; good condition full-mouth crossbred ewes. 41s 6d; medium, 29s 3d to 31s; four and sixtoot'h crossbred ewes, 445; two, four and six-tooth merino ewes, 46s 6d: best annual draft sound-mouth halfbred ewes. 32s 6d to 345; medium, 27s 3d to 30s: poor, 23s to 24s 6d; cull ewes, 14s 3d to 17s 9d Best Romney cross ewe lambs, 42s 6d to 44s 6d; medium, 35s 6d to 39s 3d; small 30s 3d; cull, 22s 6d; medium halfbred ewe lambs, 31s 6d to 34s 9d; good rape lambs. 29s 3d to 30s 3d; best halfbred wether lambs, 26s to 27s 10d; medium 24s to 25s 3d; cull, 18s to 21s 6d. Fat eight-tooth halfbred wethers, 37s 6d; full-mouth store wethers, 275.