Large Lee Stream and Hindon, Otago offering attracts buyers from across lower South Island, with Mid Canterbury arable farmers to the fore.

In mid-March four Outram, Otago stations offered approximately 21,000 lambs combined for a series of back-to-back on-farm sales.

Silverpeaks Station, Monterey Station, Avalee and Traquair Station, in the Lee Stream and Hindon area, brought stock together in five different sets of yards, attracting buyers from across Otago, Southland and Canterbury. 

PGG Wrightson Otago Regional Livestock Manager Paul Edwards said the offering, comprising of mainly prime and forward store-shorn ewe and wether Romney and Romdale hill country lambs, were all exceptionally well bred.

“These local sheep carry a lot of history and generational breeding: strong ewes combined with top end ram genetics. In addition, after the excellent summer and early autumn the district has had this year, the stock coming forward was expertly presented and in optimum condition. Several PGG Wrightson Livestock representatives from outside the region brought clients to the sale, particularly from Mid Canterbury where arable farmers were looking to supplement income in the spring by finishing these lambs” he says.

Motivated to take the larger lines of stock, a Mid Canterbury client bought the largest run, comprising 2189 lambs, averaging $169 per head.

Despite a slight easing of the market since February, prices were elevated, mostly increasing between $30 and $35 per head on the equivalent sale last year. The vendors were very happy, says Paul Edwards. Due to a change in farming practice, Silverpeaks Station sold four-shear and five-year-old ewes for $276 and $246 per head respectively.

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