However there was no talk of bargains among familiar faces tracking the sale. In fact prices achieved were near double for the same time last year, remarked one farmer.

The large yardings of all grades of stock attracted a good turnout of bidders but as pen sizes dwindled down to single figures, potential bidders drifted away. Even so, remaining prices were firm among the remainder.

Several vendors were thrilled to see their store lambs hit the $85 to $90 mark. Waimate farmer David Johnstone was heartened his pen of organic ram lambs sold for $80.

There was a large offering of stores and they ranged in condition from a pen of hill-bred, scruffy, poor condition lambs which sold for $55. An onlooker commented that even though he had a lot of feed it would take months to fatten them and they were not worth the trouble.

Superior lambs achieved an extra $33 a head for the effort and feed someone had put into them. Top price for stores was $94 for a pen of 15.

The rest of the sale prices progressed from the low to mid $70s and upward of $88 for better order lambs.

Prime stock attracted lively bidding and auctioneers maintained a brisk pace as they had done with the stores to get through the catalogue.

Top price went to the owner of four large Dorset DownX in superb condition which changed hands for $130.

High prices were maintained for primes, the best of which sold for $120. The rest of the large yarding sold for prices which ranged from the high $90 mark and upwards to $116.

Good two tooths being sold across the saleyard from the prime lambs achieved $100 said PGG Wrightson auctioneer Bruce Dunbar.

Meat lambs or butcher’s stock ranged in price from the high $90s and upward to $101.

sandyfinnie@xtra.co.nz