Prime sheep

The strong ewe market showed no signs of flagging at livestock sales at Canterbury Agricultural Park, in Christchurch, this week. Top ewes reached $250 and heavy ewes made $170-$190 as demand continues for sheepmeat. Prime lamb prices rose with top lambs at $198 on the back of a small yarding.

Apart from lighter heifers, prime cattle held their value. (Greta Valley) 31 lms at $117-$136, CJ Orpwood (North Loburn) 34 lms at $115-$197, JGL Investments (West Melton) 5 lms at $182, Kerr & Jellyman P/ship (West Melton) 5 lms at $182.

Values: A smaller yarding of prime ewes saw prices remain as strong as previous sales. Top ewes at $250 plus, heavy ewes at $170-$190, medium ewes at $140-$160, light ewes at $110-$130.

Sales included: SR & AJ Inwood (Leeston) 17 ewes at $160-$195, Grove Farm (Irwell) 70 es at

$138-$174, SW Brannigan (Southbridge) 10 es at $143-$193, HM Inch (Kaikoura) 16 es at

$131-$140, Rosevilla (Tai Tapu) 24 es at $149-187, AD Gillespie (Oxford) 16 es at $139-$232, M Armstrong (Stoney Bay) 26 es at $149-$187, JL Topp (Rotherham) 8 es at $199, Raeburn Farm (Sheffield) 8 es at

$138, Waihui Farming (Waiau) 20 males $90-$109. Raeburn Farm (Springfield) 357 m/s lms at $121-$129, Hawk Hills (Sheffield) 42 m/s lms at $116-$125, DE & RP Pratt (Rolleston) 45 m/s lms at $126, A Stewart (Te Oka) 52 m/s lms at $115-$123.