Ewe sale prices rocket over shortage

A shortage of ewes caused a significant lift in prices at Monday's annual Taranaki ewe fair in Stratford.

The top lines were up by nearly $30 a head on last year's sale, but many people commented on the small yarding of about 3000. The two main selling agents used to hold two big sales each in January.

Roger Cox's five year olds, boasting 151 per cent lamb docking, made the top price of $97. Steve Tarrant's four-tooths made $100.50.

Maureen Ostler topped the two-tooths section with her 70 Romneys which made $103.

"I got $70 last year, so it's up over $30. I don't know why, possibly because there's more feed around and fewer sheep," she said.

Paul Jury's annual line of Romney-Perendales (162 per cent scanned pregnant and 137 per cent docked) made $86 and he remarked: "I'm pretty happy with the price. It's up from last year's $75, probably because of the lack of ewes around, due to everyone cutting back."

Other leading five-year-old ewe prices: Steve Tarrant $90, Treegals Trust (Wanganui) $90, Jack Hann $83, L. and K. Eggers $85, Jim Wills $82, Karen Bromwich $80, Natwana Farm $73.

The top prices from last year's sale were: 5yr ewes $70, 6yr ewes $59, MA ewes $75, 2ths $75.

See Stock Sales: Page 16

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