Raincoats were a must as the ewe fair season ended on a positive note on Friday, February 14.
After a disappointing two-tooth ewe fair on a hot and dusty day at Hawarden two weeks earlier, light rain greeted farmers at the Sheffield Ewe Fair, Canterbury’s last of the season.
Stock agents reported a full clearance of about 15,000 ewes.
The fair was split between two saleyards (Coalgate and Sheffield) after initial indications up to 20,000 ewes could go under the hammer.
Central Saleyards Ltd (Sheffield) chairman Warrick James said having the two saleyards had worked well, but was keen to keep the event at Sheffield.
"It’s an iconic event for Sheffield and you’ve to keep these things going. Everyone gets in behind it, the agents, the vendors, the buyers and the whole community.
"When we thought about closing it down a few years back, everyone wanted to keep it going so we decided we would and we ended up getting a few more vendors."
Just three ewe fairs still ran in Canterbury; Sheffield slotted in nicely between the Hawarden and Temuka sales, Mr James said.
"Hawarden’s good for those who want to get in a bit earlier, Temuka does further south and we cover that central area and we get a lot from the hill country areas being a bit later."
Peter Walsh & Associates livestock broker Gary Batchelor said good quality two-tooth ewes sold for $230 to $249.
"It wasn’t outstanding money, but the vendors were realistic and met the market. It was a good day in respect that we found homes for everything, but it was disappointing for the vendors."
The day’s top price was $249 for a pen of two-tooth ewes sold by Mt Pleasant Farm of Southbridge.
Older ewes sold for between $150 to $170 ewes, while annual draft ewes sold for up to $145.
The top price paid for a flock ram was $575.
Rural Livestock Canterbury livestock manager Donald Cooke said the low prices in recent weeks appeared to attract more buyers in search of a bargain.
"With the low prices it probably brought a few more people out of the woodwork. Our vendors were happy with the price on the day, but they had to adjust their sights given the market expectations of three months ago."
Hazlett Ltd livestock manager Ed Marfell said the ewe fair season had proved to be a buyers’ market.
"When you put it all together, those who sold some ewes before Christmas and then stocked up again at the fairs would have ended up with change in their pocket.
"But all in all, the fundamentals of the marketplace are still pretty strong. The dry conditions haven’t helped, but that’s Canterbury."
Attention would turn to calf sales at the end of March, Mr Cooke said.
"If this dry continues it’s going to be hard work."
Unless there was a decent downpour in late February or early March, calf sale prices could be back on last year by as much as $100 a head.
