Store lamb prices up to expectation

These well-grown 59 store male lambs from Walton Contracting, at Gisborne, sold in the weekly sheep sale at the Matawhero saleyards yesterday for $74.50, in a total yarding of close to 1500 head. Picture by Trevor Brown

There was a total clearance of the 1487 sheep sold at the weekly sale at the Matawhero saleyards yesterday, where all except 11 sheep in the total yarding were store lambs.

The best price of $77 was paid for 30 ram lambs from Raroa Station, at Tolaga Bay.

Walton Contracting, at Gisborne, topped the store ewe lambs, selling a pen of 145 for $70.50.

The average price paid was $65.56.

A good spell of sunshine should see good growth rates for all lambs.

Next Friday will see the last sheep sale at Matawhero for this year, eyes then turning to the Ewe Fair in early January, everyone hoping that the export markets for sheep meat will improve in 2024.

Best prices: store male lambs: Raroa Station, 23, $77, 59, $56, 62, $46; Kerley Agriculture Ltd, 128, $76, 189, $67.50; Walton Contracting, 59, $74.50, 116, $66.50, 42, $53, 70, $45.50; Rotorua Sport Horses, 6, $61; IH & LJ Kirkpatrick, 13, $60.

Store ewe lambs: Walton Contracting, 145, $70.50, 71, $52.50, 90, $42.50; IH & LJ Kirkpatrick, 8, $70; Kerley Agriculture Ltd, 27, $62.

Store mixed sexed lambs: The K&J Gillies Family Trust, 15, $70, 5, $60; Waihina Station, 86, $58.50, 161, $51.50, 36, $32.50; Walton Contracting, 69, $31.50.