Fresh interest in merino sheep

Merino sheep prices appear to be enjoying similar renewed interest as crossbred sheep reports the ODT. The absence of drought, higher meat prices and access to meatworks has underpinned prices which, for annual draft merino ewes at Cromwell last week, were up to $25 a head higher than last year. At Omarama, prices were $15 to $20 higher. The Cromwell sale last Wednesday attracted a yarding of 12,000 merino ewes and lambs. Lamb prices ranged from $26 to $59.50 - paid for wether lambs sold by Galloway Station, Alexandra. PGG Wrightson Alexandra livestock manager John Duffy said the noted lines of annual draft ewes sold from $55 to $65, with an offering from Bendigo Station at Tarras topping the sale at $65. He said some buyers had told him they were restocking after last year's drought with merino sheep rather than a mix of crossbred and fine wool breeds because of the high prices crossbred ewes were making. Thursday's Omarama sale drew 8000 merino ewes. The sheep were in top order and sold strongly, with a lift of about $15-$20 overall on last year's sale. The top price went to Ahuriri Downs for 2-shear ewes at $91, followed by Benmore Station with 2-shear ewes at $82. A range of prices. - Bog Roy, mixed-age ewes at $74, 6-year ewes at $70; Otematata Station, 6-year ewes at $60-$62; Benmore Station, 6-year ewes at $60-$62; Tara Hills, 6-year ewes at $58; Waitangi Station, 6-year ewes at $72; Ben Omar, 6-year ewes at $56-$59.50; Aviemore, 6-year ewes at $48-$50.50; Ribbonwood, 6-year ewes at $56; Rostriever, 6-year ewes at $66.50; Ahuriri Downs, annual draft ewes at $62; Ribbonwood, 7-year ewes at $44; Killermont, 7-year ewes at $46.