Results were well up on the previous year, as wool prices rebound and farmers look to rebuild breeding flocks, PGG Wrightson agents Jonty Hislop and Joe Higgins reported. Buyers were spread from Marlborough through to Central Otago.
At Omarama 5500 annual draft ewes were offered from the high country, with a kind season resulting in very good conditioned ewes. Top price was $97, compared to last year’s $62, and in fact no ewes sold near to the top price of 2016, with no lines under $68. The majority of the ewes were age marked 6yr old, and top lines made $83-$97, and medium $72-$82.
Tekapo followed shortly after the conclusion of Omarama, and 7500 ewes continued the strong theme set at the earlier sale. The top prices for the day was 6yr at $166, 5yr $155, 4yr $133, and a line of 2-tooths achieved $140. The remainder of the top cuts made $95-$110, with medium earning $85-$95, and no lines under $80. A small offering of half-bred ewes made $95-$112.
