About 8,000 ewes went up for auction in one of the largest ewe sales of the year at Masterton Saleyards yesterday.
Carrfields average sale price for ewes was $132.96, while PGG Wrightson Livestock was higher at $135.80.
The sale quantity of ewes sold by PGG totalled 3740 while Carrfields sold 4353.
Carrfields two-year-old ewes’ top price came in at $172 with a low of $146, the four– to six-year-old ewes’ top dollar was $168 and a low of $152.
Mixed-age ewes highest price hit $133 with a low of $105, and five-year-old ewes topped $130 with a low sale price of $76.
PGG said the top cut of five-year-old ewes were sold between $120 and $140, and the two tooth ewes between $150 and $175.
“There was a great turnout of buyers,” PGG agents said.
“Capital stock ewes from around the district sold well.”
PGG credited the vendors due to their good lineup of sheep, which was reflected in the pricing “The ewes sold extremely well and were on par if not slightly higher than other regions.”
In a statement, Carrfields said there was a very good lineup of ewes with a smaller number of two-tooth ewes than usual.
Carrfields Capital’s stock of mixed-age ewes met with good demand, and the best of the five-year-old ewes sold well.
Carrfields livestock representative Carey Ashwell noted that compared to last year, certain ewe prices were lower on average this year.
“The way the market is as far as sheep meat in general is concerned – we had a very good sale.”
Ashwell said he had observed buyers looking for good quality ewes as a replacement now that the market is improved.
About 100 people from Wairarapa and Manawatū were registered for the auction.
