Lincolns, Leicesters sell in otherwise poor sale

Press, 25 January 1986, Page 16

Lincolns, Leicesters sell in otherwise poor sale

Rams of the strong-woolled Lincoln and English Leicester breeds attracted the most interest yesterday from buyers on the second day of the Canterbury stud ram fair. Sixty per cent of the 33 Lincoln and English Leicester rams were sold, compared with clearances of only 32 per cent for Corriedales, 36 per cent for Border Leicesters, and 37 per cent for Romneys. Lincoln rams topped the average prices with $l4OO, as well as making the highest individual price of $3200. The over-all average for all breeds was $ll2B. Support from buyers for well-bred Lincolns and English Leicesters was the only bright spot in a generally depressing sale for wool breed rams. Far too many rams were offered to an Industry which has been hard hit by changes to the Government’s economic policy. The inclusion in the yarding of several rams of inferior quality did nothing to help the over-all tone of the sale. Only the very best rams attacted interest, although even some good quality rams failed to attract a bld. Four Lincoln rams from H. E. and Y. C. Williams, Blenheim, averaged $2lOO, including the sale’s top price of

$3200. The Williams had other sales at $2200, $lBOO and $l2OO. Other Lincoln rams made $9OO and $6OO for J. T. Miles, Ashburton, and $7OO and $6OO for Q. and D. G. Mitchell, Fairlie. Five Lincolns out of 13 were passed. The average for 12 English Leicesters was $1129 ($733 lasst year), and eight were passed. English Leicester rams from R. J. and M. A. Burrows, Culverden, averaged $1775 and included prices of $2700, $2200, $l2OO and $lOOO. McKerchar Brothers, Winton, sold English Leicesters at $l5OO, $BOO and $6OO, and Ravenswood Stud, Woodend, had sales at $BOO and $6OO. H. Bennett and Sons, Ashburton, sold one English Leicester at $BOO and J. D. B. Reid, Darfield two at $750 and $6OO.

Only 15 out of 47 Corriedales were sold, averaging $1276 compared with $1522 last year. No Corriedales were sold at auction for less than $lOOO because of an upset price of $750. The top Corriedale price was $lBOO for a ram from S. H. S. Clarke, Ltd, Patearoa. D. A. Gloss, Cheviot, sold one at $1750, D. N. Evans, Ranglora, .had sales at $l6OO and $llOO, and C. A. Sutherland,

Rolleston, one at $l6OO. J. R. and T. J. Burrows, Culverden, received $l5OO twice for Corriedales, R. I. Mcßae, Wanaka, sold one at $llOO, and W. E. Bain, Millers Flat, one at $l2OO. Corriedale breeders who received $lOOO were Birchfield Estate, Ashburton, J. D. Sldey, Waikari (twice), M. E. Taylor, Ltd, Ward (twice), and G. R. and K. M. Millar, Southbridge. ' The average price for 28 Romneys was $BB3, compared with $1024 last year. Fortyseven were unsold. The most successful Romney vendor was A. G. Beattie, Gore, with sales at $2400 and $2OOO. He was followed by the Tresco Romney Stud, Heriot, at $l4OO and $l2OO, and R. A. Brown, Feilding, at $l3OO, $750 and $5OO. The Haines Family Trust, Leeston, sold Romneys at $1250 and $6OO, A. N. Chamberlain, Ellesmere, received $lOOO and $750, Claymoor Stud, Springston, sold two at $BOO, and Merryvale Stud, Gore, one at $9OO. Other Romney rams made $BOO and $7OO for Mereoak Farm, Ltd, Ashburton; $7OO and $6OO for G. L. Robertson, Gore; $7OO and $6OO for D. S. Giddings, Fairiie; $7OO for D. A. Robertson, Gore; $7OO for B. J. Brenssell. Heriot; and

$6OO for H. E. Williams, Blenheim, W. M. Robertson, Gore, W. J. and M. D. Symes, Christchurch, Quigley Partnership, Ashburton (twice), and C. and J. Robertson, Heriot Border Leicesters improved their average price by $24 to $l2lO for 30 rams out of a yarding of 82. Rams from three breeders dominated prices for Border Leicesters, and the top price was $2BOO received by Neil Scott, Ashburton. Mr Scott had other sales at $BOO and $5OO. Border Leicesters from W. G. and~W. D. Kennedy, Invercargill, had an excellent sale, averaging $l9OO for six rams. •Their highest price was $2400 and lowest $l5OO. The third successful Border Leicester vendor was P. H. Letham, Ashburton, who averaged $1485 for seven rams, including sales at $2400, $2200 and $2lOO. Two Letham rams made $5OO. T. H. and R. H. Lemon, Ashburton, sold one Border Leicester at $lBOO. The only other ram to exceed four figures came from D. S. and R. M. Hart, Christchurch at $l6OO. J. A. Thompson, Oamaru, received $9OO for one, A. H. and C. N. Blair, Outram, sold rams at $BOO and $5OO, and Stevenson Brothers, Flaxton, had sales at $BOO and $5OO. Prices of $5OO for Border Leicesters were received by A. T. McCall, Gore, I. R. Caird, Timaru, D. M. Elliot, Waimate, I. D. and P. E. Stevenson, Flaxton (twice), J. R. Gardner, Waiau, and A. and D. Adams, Christchurch. Five English Leicester registered ewes from Ravenswood Stud, Woodend, sold at $175.