Prices buoyant at Dannevirke sale

PGG Wrightson's auctioneer Bjorn Andersen sells these five-year old ewes for the top price of $177/head.

Almost 4000 sheep were sold at the Dannevirke Ewe, Lamb and Ram Fair on Thursday January 25.

Prices were buoyant for the aged ewes representing half the stock on sale. A large number of good quality ewes from the south of Tararua resulted in prices being at least as good as two weeks ago, ranging from the top price of $177/head to $137/head.

These crypto lambs from Farnham Station Herbertville sold for $115/head.

Only a small yarding of two-tooth and four-tooth ewes (450) ranged between $165/head and $139/head.

Store lambs made up the rest of the sale (1500) and again ranged from $138/head for capital stock from JMP Agri to $74/head.

These capital stock two-tooths from JMP Agri sold for $165/head.

There were 60 rams and prices started in a promising manner, the first two pens of six Suffolk and South Suffolk rams going for $400/head and $500/head respectively.

Top ram price of $500 went to Tawadale Farm for these six South Suffolks.

This was not maintained with the majority of rams reaching $300-320/head. There was a good range of breeds, Suffolk and South Suffolk predominating but Texel, Southdown, Polled Dorset and Suffolk/Hampshire crosses also sale.

- By Dave Murdoch