Prices ease at Matawhero

TOP SELLERS: This pen of 69 store ram lambs from Rau White at Ruatoria received the top price of $120 in yesterday’s weekly sheep sale at Matawhero. There were fewer buyers than usual and consequently there was a slight easing of prices paid. Picture by Trevor Brown

THERE was a much smaller yarding of 1085 sheep in the weekly sheep sale at Matawhero yesterday.

Bruce Farming sold eight prime two-tooth ewes for $117.

The 84 prime mixed-age ewes sold from $111 down to $90.

Rau White, at Ruatoria, received the best price of $120 for 69 store ram lambs.

Te Wera Station topped the store ewe lambs, selling a pen of 144 for $109.50.

The store lamb market eased slightly this week with few buyers present.

The next sale will be on Friday, April 14.

Best prices —

Store male lambs: Rau White, 69, $120, 29, $96; Te Wera Station, 128, $113; Poututu Station, 161, $113, 62, $103; Waiwhenua P/S, 12, $110; Kim and Kate Mossman P/S, 11, $81.

Store ewe lambs: Te Wera Station, 144, $109.50, 78, $97; Poututu Station (black-face), 181, $103, 59, $93; Brett Ingram, 11, $88; Kim and Kate Mossman P/S, 8, $86; Rau White, 9, $80.