Ewe fair prices exceed expectations

This vendor’s pen of 168 Romney two- tooth ewes topped the sale at the Matawhero Ewe Fair yesterday, selling for $185. Picture by Trevor Brown

A total of 3786 ewes were sent for sale at yesterday’s Matawhero Ewe Fair, of which 1672 were two-tooths.

Nobody was expecting record prices due to the low mutton schedule, but although the amounts paid for the two-tooth ewes were down $30 on 2023, prices paid for the quality yarding exceeded expectations.

The top price of $185 was for a pen of 168 Romney two-tooth ewes from Grant and Sue Crawshaw at Nuhaka.

R and J Utting Ltd at Waimata offered four pens of capital stock ewes, due to a change in farming policy, and their first pick of 169 Romworth two-tooth ewes fetched $183.

Waitangi Terrace Station, at Kanakanaia, were paid best price of $120 for 352  five- year ewes.

All ewes were bought by buyers from Ruatōria to Wairoa.