Saturday, September 15, 2012
UNLIKE last week advertised numbers increased by 50 percent to a yarding of 662 total sheep at Matawhero.
Over 400 store lambs turned up with 14 lots in the main pens. Admittedly, the highest tally was 62 and several pens held 20 or less. There was a hint of softening to the store lamb market but it was barely quantifiable with three lines making $100-$110 and several still selling at $90 or better.
Small lambs made $60-$72. The prime pens held 165 head, the majority being ewes with only 13 lambs. The demand for ewes was as keen as at last week’s fixture, the better cutting lots making $83.50-$89 and lower yielding, $80-$82.
One lot of good heavy lambs grossed $115.50 and another, $108, some plain sorts selling at $90.
In the store section a small line of ewes with chubby lambs at foot made $56.50. The rest of the section were store ewes which followed the trend set in the prime pens. They made $69-$71 for meaty and $61 for plainer.
Sales included:
Male lambs: Tutumatai Station 24 at $110, 19 at $108.50, 20 at $100.
Ewe lambs: Tutumatai Station 16 at $87, 14 at $74, 12 at $72; Kaitoto Station 37 at $96.50, 46 at $90.50, 11 at $66.
Mixed-sex lambs: Wharekiri Station 62 at $93.50, 31 at $87, 34 at $39.50; Kerley Agric 46 at $91.50, 13 at $72.
The focus next week wil be on 1420 quality cattle to be offered at Wairoa on Thursday.