Prices for ewes at last week's Blenheim Open Ewe Fair were up by about 50% on 2008 sales, PGGW Marlborough Livestock manager Allister Orchard said. About 70 farmers signed up to bid on the 5000 ewes registered for the auction held at the Riverlands Selling Complex on Thursday.Mr Orchard said there was a good line up of quality ewes, with two lines of capital stock ewes on offer because of changes to farming practises. He attributed higher prices paid by farmers to a lack of breeding ewes in NZ."The South Island was in a severe drought last year and there were changes in land use to viticulture and dairy, which means there was a trend away from sheep 12 months ago. It has turned around a bit now."Prices were definitely up on last year. A lot of the ewes we were getting $60 for this year as opposed to $30 last year." Mr Orchard said there was a lot more confidence back in the sheep and meat industry with the outlook more positive for the coming season. He said about 70% of ewes had been bought by Marlborough buyers with particular interest in the Corriedale and half-bred ewes, however, there had been strong competition from North Canterbury buyers. "The demand for breeding ewes is likely to continue throughout other sales in the coming weeks with most of the ewe fairs, having half their normal entries."
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