Two-tooth ewe prices down

Values for good quality ewes were back $15 to $20 on last year’s prices at Te Kuiti’s annual two- tooth ewe fair.

The sale on January 17 saw 18,000 sheep yarded at the Te Kuiti Saleyards. The large gallery of buyers were all locals and the sheep came forward in top condition thanks to the excellent growing season that sheep farmers had.

The top price at the sale was $158 for a small pen of ewes from Te Kuiti farmer John Spellman, while another pen of his perendale ewes sold for $154.

Prices for romney, perendale, romdale coopworth and composite ewes ranged from $130 to $155, while most of the sheep sold for $130 to $140.

A handful of pens were passed in.

Te Kuiti sheep farmer and sale regular Paul Grainger said he was reasonably happy with the $145 paid for his romney ewes. ‘‘It’s held up well and there’s not a lot of difference between the top and the second cuts.’’

He said he was uncertain why prices were down but suggested farmer confidence could be a possible reason with meat sector reform a hot topic of discussion among farmers.

‘‘There’s a question mark over the sheep industry at the moment.’’

PGG Wrightson King Country livestock manager Bill Harrison said the market was $20 back on last year’s sale, but in line with other fairs in the North Island. Fairfax NZ