Ram and ewe sales reflect season’s trend

17-03-2010 | Not Specified

For many years the Tekapo ewe fair was a big event for farming families in the Mackenzie Basin and as much an opportunity to socialise as it was to trade sheep.

In order to keep the tradition going, a ram sale has been added to the day and this, along with a barbecue, has kept people at the saleyards long after the ewe sheep has gone under the hammer.

This is the second year the two have been held consecutively and this year the two sales, held on February 25, attracted a large gallery of buyers as well as spectators. Much of the buying power came from Canterbury and Marlborough farmers, although the sales were also well supported by buyers from Central Otago.

PGGWrightson livestock manager Joe Higgins says ewe sales reflected the season's trend of strong sales with prices lifting by $10-$15 on last year's prices.

Higgins says there was good bidding from start to finish with particular interest in adult ewes.

The top adult ewes made $90-$135, medium lines earned $70-$90 and lighter adult ewes realised $50-$65. The best of the two-tooths were auctioned for $90-$103, medium types earned $80-$90 and lighter two-tooths fetched $60-$70.

At the Tekapo ram sale, held in a marquee at the saleyards, 31 rams were offered up with 24 being sold. The top-price ram made $2150 and better types fetched $1500-$2000. Other rams sold for $800-$1500.

Higgins says this was a reasonable clearance of rams because the interest in Merino lambs is limited due to changing markets and land use.

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