''Perendale breeders have really improved them conformation-wise, number of lambs born and mothering ability,'' McCall said.
Buyer Ben Butterick, (left) of La Mac Hampshire Stud, Kaituna and seller Geoff Macfarlane, of Four Winds Hampshire Stud, Te Anau, with the Hampshire ram. Photo / Sandy Eggleston
He had even noticed a difference in the nature of the Perendales when he was helping move the sheep through the yards.
''You can deal with them a lot better now - they're not jumping over everything like they used to.''
Texels were also enjoying popularity with the top price being $8000.
''They would have had the best sale they've had probably for four or five years.
Peter and Marion Black, of Ermedale, sold this 18-month-old Texel ram for $8000 at the Gore A&P Association South Island Premier Ram Auction. Photo / Supplied
''There was only one ram that didn't sell through the ring.''
Twenty-five Texels were offered for sale.
The Border Leicester sale did not go as well as in other years.
''There just wasn't the buyers there.''
Four Winds Hampshire Stud owner Geoff Macfarlane, of Te Anau, sold a Hampshire ram for $7200.
It was bought by Ben Butterick and his grandmother Pat Butterick , of La Mac Hampshire Stud, Kaituna, Banks Peninsula.
Macfarlane thought the price was close to a record for the breed.
