Half of ram sale catalogue sells

Norman Carr’s Suffolk stud rams on show in the front paddock during his on-farm ram sale in...
Norman Carr’s Suffolk stud rams on show in the front paddock during his on-farm ram sale in Mayfield. Two of these later made $3000 and $2000 at the Canterbury A&P Association’s Elite Ram and Ewe Sale. PHOTO: TIM CRONSHAW
A trio of big buyers bought nearly half of Norman Carr’s catalogue at his on-farm ram sale in Mayfield.

Only a few rams were left of 30 Suffolk and 32 Suftex offered by the final bid at Omagh Suffolks stud, with 12 of 20 Beltex rams sold. Another six of the remaining rams were sold privately afterwards.

Topping the sale was Lot 31, a Suftex making $1500, and another Suftex was also bought for $1400 by a farm at Mt Somers.

The overall average was about $750.

Mr Carr started the Suffolk stud, inland from Ashburton, in 1976.

He said the sale lacked the fire of previous auctions, possibly because of Covid-19, and another two or three buyers had been needed.

Omagh Suffolks owner Norman Carr keeps the rams flowing at his on-farm ram sale. PHOTO: TIM CRONSHAW
Omagh Suffolks owner Norman Carr keeps the rams flowing at his on-farm ram sale. PHOTO: TIM CRONSHAW
"It was probably not as strong a sale as in the past and we probably ran out of a bit of buying power in the finish," he said.

"On saying that, the top ram did all right and we were only left with three Suffolks and three Suftex."

They normally had about 25 hoggets at the sale, but were lighter in numbers this year, he said.

"That drums a lot more people to the sale, with the Suffolk breeders coming, which creates the hype and the sale lacked that this year. Having our top rams might be an option — I’m not saying it’s definite, but we might do that and hopefully reintroduce the hoggets next year."

Lot 31 was a sound ram with a good hindquarters and loin, and plenty of depth, he said.

"He was pretty much hard to fault really and he was just a good meaty ram."

The top Suffolk made $1200 and went home with the Crossan family of Ranfurly, who bought five of the top Suffolks for $1000 to $1200.

Another 16 Suftex went to Pukekahu Farms near Whakatane and another three Suffolks went to Gisborne.

Central Otago’s Kyeburn Station has been a repeat buyer in the past and bought 16 Suftex, Beltex and Suffolks.

"We had three big buyers and the rest went local to the foothills around Mt Somers and around Lismore, with others going to Rakaia Gorge," Mr Carr said.

The stud breeder also sold two Suffolk stud rams for $3000 and $2000 respectively at the Canterbury A&P Association’s Elite Ram and Ewe Sale in Christchurch. Another two rams will go to the Feilding stud ram and ewe fair, with two rams going to next month’s Gore fair.

 - tim.cronshaw@alliedpress.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Southern Field Days 2024 - Featured Businesses