Buyers get picky at national coloured sheep sale

This two-tooth Corriedale ram from Jim Stewart's Rakaia stud was judged the top sheep in the line-up. Photo / Sally Brooker

Buyers were fussy at the Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders' Association of New Zealand's national sale at the Waimate showgrounds on Saturday.

Many of the 30 animals on offer were passed on, to the dismay of vendors and auctioneers.

Peter Walsh and Associates auctioneer Snow Buckley said one or two more sold after the auction at about reserve prices.

Anita Erskine (left) went all the way from Tuatapere to buy this ram bred by Rolleston farmers Karen and Leo Ponsonby for $610. Photo / Sally Brooker

Bidders had decided which sheep they wanted and were prepared to pay good prices for them, he said.

''They picked the eyes out of them.''

The ram judged top sheep in the show, an unregistered two-tooth Corriedale ram from Rakaia breeder Jim Stewart, was bought by Waimate farmer Stuart Albrey for $420.

This sheep's Houdini run was short-lived. Photo / Sally Brooker

That was the second-to-top price on the day.

The highest price of $610 was paid by Anita Erskine, of Tuatapere, for another unregistered two-tooth Corriedale ram, sold by Leo and Karen Ponsonby, of Rolleston.