The Canterbury A&P Association Elite Ram and Ewe Sale, held Friday 1 December, attracted a quality line up, with 223 Rams and 20 Ewes entered into the sale. With 156 rams selling, the average sale price was $1721 and $353 for ewes with 19 selling; total sales of $275,200 were recorded – up from $250,500 in 2016.

The highest price was reached by a Cordyline Southdown Ram (David Robertson, Omaru), selling for $16,000 (purchased by AD Gillespie, Midlands Stud, Oxford). Mr Robertson, a veterinarian from North Otago, established Cordyline stud in 2008. The $16,000 ram (Cordyline 15/16) was born a triplet and recently won Champion Southdown at the Southern Canterbury A&P Show. Mr Robertson has retained semen rights for the ram.

Other top prices included: Southdown - $8500 (Chris J Medlicott, Waimate) and $7000 (Willowhaugh Enterprises Ltd, Blenheim); Border Leicester - $4700 & $4000 (Westmere Farming Co Ltd, Ashburton); Texel - $7200 (AJ & ND McCall, Cave) and $3000 (KJ and RA Berry, Amberley); Dorset Down - $3900 (AA & LE Ellis, Amberley) and $3800 (John Burrows, Rangiora); Suffolk - $6600 (JT Miles, Ashburton), $5000 (James Gardiner, Amberley) and $4500 (Collie Hills Partnership, Kurow).

Canterbury A&P Association Ram Sale Committee Member and Livestock Agent for Rural Livestock Anthony Cox was impressed with the quality of stock on sale.

“The standard was very high, there were some good sales and it was great to see most breeds selling for good money. We also saw lots of transfers and a strong commercial undertone to the sale too. There was good buying to be had for people that were purchasing commercially.”

© Scoop Media