The producers provided an excellent supply of sheep and goats for the April 7 Winnipeg Livestock Auction. The Easter season was on everyone’s mind; buyers were ready. There were over 500 sheep and goats for this sale.
The ewes were selling steady, as the demand was fairly high. The majority of the ewes were in the price range of $0.80 to $0.99 per pound. A group of three 148-pound Suffolk-cross ewes, brought $168.72 ($1.14 per pound). A group of seven 111-pound horned Dorset-cross ewes, brought $149.85 ($1.35 per pound). There were five 167- pound Texel-crossbred ewes, that brought $180 ($1.08 per pound). There was a group of 155-pound lambs, that brought $146.05 ($1.27 per pound).
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The audience was treated with purchasing family units [ewes with lamb(s)] – this provided more interest throughout the buyers. Another indication that spring has arrived was those cute new lambs. The majority of the family units sold at $1.20 to $1.42 per pound. There was one exception which produced $1.74 per pound – as the ewes were younger (first births).
The selection on the heavyweight rams was fairly good. Whether the 220-pound Cheviot-cross ram or the 245- pound Suffolk-cross ram or even the 300-pound Dorsetcross ram, each were impressive in the arena. Majority of the rams were in the price range of $0.89 to $1.10 per pound. The buyers were in search for breeding stock, as well as the meat industry. The 155-pound purebred Suffolkcross ram, brought $224.75 ($1.45 per pound).
There were only two heavyweight lambs, 115-pound Cheviot -cross lambs, that brought $189.75 ($1.65 per pound).
The market lamb classification was well represented at this sale. The groups were sold in larger numbers and variety of breeds per group, with a price range of $1.92 to $1.98 per pound. There were a couple of exceptions, such as the two 108-pound Dorper-cross lambs, that brought $152.28 ($1.41 per pound); and one 110-pound Suffolk-cross lamb, that brought $115.50 ($1.05 per pound).
The bidding on the 80-to 94-pound lamb classification, remained fairly constant. The buyers showed that there was a demand. The price range was $1.925 to $2.02 per pound. There was one group of 80-pound lambs, that was lower in price at $1.70 per pound.
There were numerous lambs classified in the less-than-80- pound lamb class. The bidding was strong for these lambs. The lambs in the 70-79-pound range, were causing bidding of $1.775 to $2.05 per pound. While the 60 -66-pound lambs, were slightly higher, the selection was not as numerous. The price range was $1.90 to $2.35 per pound. The 50 -58-pound lambs, brought a price range of $1.925 to $2.05 per pound. The two 38-pound lambs, brought $60.80 ($1.60 per pound).
This sale was the first appearance of the new crop lambs. These lambs had well-developed frames and were a true sign winter has passed.
The price range of the new-crop lambs, was $2.11 to $2.375 per pound. The heavier 110- pound new-crop lambs, produced a lower price of $1.96 per pound. The very light 25-pound new-crop lamb, appeared to have less demand. The bidding was less, as the price bidding only reached $1.525 per pound.
The selection of goats was good for either the meat industry and in the breeding stock. The choice of bucks or the does and doelings was good. There was no pattern on the bidding of the bucks, not based on weight or by the breed.
The purchasing was based more upon the buyer’s requirements, and caused the bidding to remain strong. The price range was from $1.14 to $1.55 per pound, for the selection of bucks. The 50-pound Pygmycross buck, brought $90 ($1.80 per pound) and a group of three 52-pound Pygmy-cross Nubian bucks, brought $100 ($1.92 per pound).
The demand for the various does was good, keeping the price range from $0.82 to $1.38 per pound. There was a treat, one family unit was sold, a Boer-cross doe with its kid. This 90-pound family unit, sold for $115 ($1.28 per pound).
The heavier goats, whether bucklings, doelings or wethers sold for prices ranging from $0.97 to $1.84 per pound. The group of three -72-pound Boercross wethers, brought $132 ($1.84 per pound); while the 145-pound Alpine-cross wether, brought $140 ($0.97 per pound).
The goats in the 60-65-pound classification, kept the strong bidding on these goats. The 61-pound and 64-pound Boercross bucklings, maintained the higher level of the price range, at $1.89 and $1.88 per pound. The 65-pound mixed group of goats, produced $112.50 ($1.73 per pound).
The price range for the goat kids in the 51-57-pound classification was stronger than the heavier weight goat kids. The demand was strong, the bidding was exciting and the buyers were busy. It did not matter on the goat kid breed or the sex of the goat kids, the price range was from $1.73 to $2.40 per pound. Even two -55-pound Pygmy-cross bucklings, brought $100 ($1.82 per pound).
The 44-to 48-pound goat kids, kept the bidding in high fashion. Although, the supply was lower, the price ranged from $1.63 to $2.05 per pound. The 15 -36-pound goat kids, brought $60 ($1.67 per pound) and the 39-pound goat kid, brought $111 ($2.85 per pound).
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EwesLambs (lbs.)110+ 95 -110 80 -94
Under 80
70 -70 60 -69 50 -59 38
NEW-CROP LAMBS
110
72 -87 68
47 -49
35 -25
$102.40 -$168.72
$189.75
$152.28 -$207.36 $136 -$181.09
$126 -$155.63 $123.50 -$141 $96.25 -$112.75 $60.80
$1.96
$2.19 -$2.15 $2.25
$2.11 -$2.375
$2.30 -$1.525
