Clearing sales results impress

Wharetoa Genetics owners Chris and Garth Shaw have sold their capital livestock on their sheep...
Wharetoa Genetics owners Chris and Garth Shaw have sold their capital livestock on their sheep farm in South Otago. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE
South Otago sheep breeders Garth and Chris Shaw have gone out with a bang with exceptional flock dispersal sales.

PGG Wrightson Lower South Island livestock genetics rep Callum McDonald said the two sheep clearance sales at Wharetoa Genetics, near Clydevale, went "extremely well".

The terminal sale on February 13 had a full clearance and the maternal sale on February 20 was "exceptional".

More than 90% of the sheep sold at the second sale.

"The Texels sold incredibly well," Mr McDonald said.

The clearance rates were impressive considering more than 2200 sheep were offered across the two sales.

Average sale prices for the sheep — a mix of rams, ewes and lambs — was $463 at the terminal sale and $585 at the maternal sale.

At the terminal sale, the top price of $3800 went to a sire ram.

The top prices at the maternal sale was $2650 for a ewe and $8800 for a ram lamb.

Angus Cameron, of Ngāputahi Station in the Manawatu, bought the ram lamb.

The sheep went to vendors across New Zealand.

Wharetoa Genetics owner Garth Shaw and second-in-charge Tia Bisset with Texel ram lamb A118/24,...
Wharetoa Genetics owner Garth Shaw and second-in-charge Tia Bisset with Texel ram lamb A118/24, which sold for $8800 at Wharetoa Genetics' final dispersal sale last week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
"A lot of the sheep stayed in Otago and Southland and a few into the North Island."

About 150 people attended the final sale last week.

The sale was a way for Garth and Chris Shaw to put a "full stop" on their more than 50-year career breeding sheep.

Mr Shaw had put his heart and soul into his work and he was rewarded for it by two positive sales.

"To go out on a bang was quite nice."

Mr Shaw said the sale exceeded their expectations.

"The most pleasing thing that was for us was where the sheep went. They've gone to young people who are passionate about the sheep business."

The strong demand for Texel sheep was recognition of the value of the breed to the sheep industry.

Many of the sheep had sold to farmers already selling rams, he said.

"The bought the sheep to grow their own businesses, so that was very, very pleasing."

shawn.mcavinue@alliedpress.co.nz

 

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