Buyers were fussy at the Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders' Association of New Zealand's national sale at the Waimate showgrounds on Saturday.
Many of the 30 animals on offer were passed on, to the dismay of vendors and auctioneers.
Peter Walsh and Associates auctioneer Snow Buckley said one or two more sold after the auction at about reserve prices.
Bidders had decided which sheep they wanted and were prepared to pay good prices for them, he said.