Puketoro enjoys total clearance

The on-farm sale at Puketoro Station, inland from Tokomaru Bay, drew a big crowd yesterday. All 6700-plus sheep and cattle put up for auction sold. As usual the McNeil family rolled out the welcome mat and provided terrific hospitality. Pictures supplied

The McNeil family from Puketoro Station enjoyed a total clearance in their eighth annual on-farm sale yesterday, which drew a big crowd of would-be buyers and supporters.

They put up 6000 head of sheep, 700 15-month-old steers and 39 cows with calves at foot.

“The sale went very well,” said Central Livestock auctioneer Shane Scott.

“We sold the lot.”

In the sheep component of the sale and in the two-tooth ewes, 909 Romdales made $172 while another 200 made $169.

With the Coopdales, 500 of those went for $167.

The rest of the two- tooths ranged in price from $159 up to $164.

“In the five-year-old ewes, the main line of Romdales, 1841 of them, sold for $139,” Mr Scott said.

“The balance in that category (818) went for $90-$98.”

In the cattle the 39 cows with calves at foot sold for $1520.

“The steers saw the top cut weighing in at 445kg. The 58 Angus 15-month- olds made $1500.”

The next line went for $1415.

“The market for the sale was right up with the best of the sales in the country to date,” Mr Scott said.

“It was very well supported, with a great turnout of would-be buyers and supporters.”

Mr Scott said the McNeil family were very happy with the result, especially with the prices for the five-year-old ewes and the young cattle.”