FLOCK RAMS SOLD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 375, 17 March 1932, Page 11

FLOCK RAMS SOLD.

A. and P. Fair Held To-day at Addington. ENTRIES BELOW LAST YEAR. The annual ram and ewe fair conducted by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was opened at the Show Grounds Addington, this morning with the sale of flock rams. In this section of the fair the entries were 5005, which was 500 below last year’s figures. Stud rams, which will be sold to-morrow, totalled 194 against 288 at the 1931 fair. In flock rams there was an increase of nearly 300 Southdowns over the entry of last year, and there were a few more Shropshires. In all other breeds there were decreases, which were most marked in Corriedales, half-breds and Border Leicesters. English Leicesters with 1515 provided the largest entries and were only 73 fewer than last year. The number of flock Ryelands entered was only 20, as against 82 a year ago. This does not denote a falling-off in popularity of this breed, but is explained by the fact that breeders have as usual sold nearly all their rams privately, the demand having been good. During the past year many shipments of Ryelands have been made to Australia. The condition of the flock rams is better than might have been expected considering the very dry spell and shortage of feed that has been experienced. The quality generally is good, but there is a proportion that shows lack of growth or condition, and therefore comes below the standard. The following: were the entries of all breeds:—

In section A, the sale opened with the English Leicesters, and it was soon realised that it was going to be difficult to obtain prices that would be at all satisfactory to breeders. Bidding was very slack, and even for the very best typtes of rams there was no great activity shown among buyers. Rams that were not up to the mark in size, wool or condition, were neglected, and it was difficult to raise bids above the upset price of one guinea, and there were many passings at that figure, or a little above it. Well-grown rams, showing quality, and not too coarse in the fleece, met with a very fair demand. In the v?arly part of the sale the top price was 7gs for a pen in the consignment from H. J. Andrew (Maheno), but these sheep were well-grown, lengthy rams, and carrying a good class of wool. The sales opened in section B with half-breds. and on account of the principal demand for wool being for the class of wool these sheep carry, there was a very good sale for well grown and wVll-woolled rams. For this class bidding was fairly keen, and prices generally satisfactory. There was considerable interest taken in the sale of Corriedales and for the better class there was a very good demand, especially for rams from the flocks of well known breeders. Inferior sheep were not wanted and were mostly passed in or sold at very low figures.

Flock Rams. 1932. 1931. 1930. English Leicester .. 1515 1588 1105 Southdown ........ 1396 1113 1168 Shropshire 105 82 147 Suffolk® 5 3 — Ryeland 20 82 36 Border Leicester .... 362 459 303 Merino 5 10 — Lincoln 1 40 — Half-bred 24 7 430 261 Romney Marsh .... 346 347 4 05 Corriedale 1003 1351 2099 Totals .... 5006 5505 5524 Stud Rams. Romney Marsh .... 8 13 13 Shropshire 10 14 9 Border Leicester .... 34 37 38 Half-bred — — 1 Lincoln 5 8 3 36 75 87 Corriedale 31 44 70 English Leicester .. 71 95 98 Totals .... 194 288 314 Tone of the Sale.