One of the bigger events on the South Island calendar at this time of year is the Temuka in-lamb ewe fair and it was an event that mirrored the previous year’s results.
That was not an easy task to achieve, as 2021 levels were the highest recorded in at least 10-years, but PGG Wrightson agent Jonty Hyslop said a great season and farmer positivity led the charge.
“It was a terrific market that was driven by a strong grass-growing season, especially through central Canterbury where most of the buyers came from. Also due to good returns for lambs, buyers were able to spend $20 or so more on ewes.”
Throughput settled at 5500-head, up 1100 on the previous year but very standard for these modern fairs.
However, there was a noted increase in the volume of 2-tooth ewes offered, mainly to terminal rams, as more farmers test the potential of that market.
Most of these ewes were bought as hoggets to target this fair.
Mixed-age lines also made up a large portion of the sale at 2600-head.
Only a handful of capital stock lines were penned, and mainly due to changes in farm policies.
The condition and high lambing percentages throughout the fair reflected the benefit of a good growth season with ewes under little pressure.
Budgets of at least $220 were needed for the 2-tooth market and equal top price was held by a line of capital stock, Wairere-bred Romney 2-tooth ewes from Totara Valley to a Romney ram,and mixed-age Romney from Orari Gorge to a Suftex ram.
Both these lines reached $272 and most of the balance of the 2-tooths traded at $223-$271.
The bigger entry of mixed-age ewes meant this section had the most variation in price which was due to breed.
Romney ewes to terminal or Romney rams and scanning 170%-190% made $235-$270 and Coopworth to Coopworth at 155%-163%, $185-$224.
A small entry of Halfbred to terminal rams and 155%-169% made $178-$198.
Consistent upper level prices were reserved for capital stock 2-4-tooth Romney to Romney at $260-$270, and the ever-popular 5-year section where annual draft Romney and Romdale to terminal rams with high lambing percentages traded at $252-$265.
This strong result contrasted with the North Island market, which has ground to a halt as supply outstrips demand and recent results have dropped $30 per head.
Looking back 10-years, prices have changed significantly and so too have scanning results.
For comparative lines of mixed-age Romney ewes, in 2012 these types were making $116-$138 compared to today’s values of $235-$272.
More emphasis and development on fertility has seen scanning percentages jump from 164%-167% for mixed-age Romney ewes up to 170%-195%.
While these results favour the vendors, Hyslop said a cautious approach was still needed.
“There are a lot of things to be positive about in this industry at present, but rising costs and other issues will all have their impact.”
This article was written by AgriHQ analyst Suz Bremner. Suz leads the AgriHQ LivestockEye team, including data collectors who are tasked with being on the ground at sale yards throughout the country. Subscribe to AgriHQ reports here.
