Ablowing snowstorm did not prevent producers from providing sheep and goats for the Feb. 17 sale at the Winnipeg Livestock Auction. There were 160 sheep and goats on offer.

There were some concerns among the audience, when two groups of sheared ewes entered the arena. However, the high bidding soon overcame this concern. The younger ewes were attracting the higher biddings. Even the older, heavier ewes were selling for a strong dollar. The heavier ewes were producing $1.01 to $1.08 per pound. The lighter-weight, 158-to 162- pound ewes, brought $1.26 to $1.114 per pound. There was an exception when a much lighter group of mixed Rideaucross and Cheviot-cross, 126- pound ewes, brought $182.70 ($1.45 per pound).

The selection for rams was limited, but the quality of good breeding stock was available. A 195-pound, two-year-old Dorset-cross ram, brought $208.65 ($1.07 per pound). A 280-pound, Suffolk-cross ram, brought $301 ($1.075 per pound). Two separate sales indicated that heavier rams were less desirable by the buyers. The 335-pound Rideaucross rams, brought $318.25 ($0.95 per pound); and the 220-pound, Rideau-cross ram brought $244.20 ($1.11 per pound).

The bidding was strong among buyers for the heavyweight lambs. The first group of 113-pound Rideau-cross and Cheviot-cross lambs, brought $194.93 ($1.725 per pound). The second group of 123-pound Suffolk-cross and Rideau-cross lambs, brought $215.25 ($1.75 per pound).

The classification of the market lambs was very limited. This caused much more serious bidding. The 95-pound Cheviot-cross lamb brought $176.70 ($1.86 per pound). The two, 98-pound lambs, Rideau-cross and Cheviotcross, brought $184.24 ($1.88 per pound).

There were more lambs in the 80-to 94-pound classification, delivered for this sale. The buyers kept the prices on a high rate for these lambs. The 83-pound lambs, brought $155.20 ($1.87 per pound); the 85-pound lambs, brought $164.05 ($1.93 per pound); and the 90-pound lambs, brought $167.40 ($1.86 per pound).

The lightweight lamb classification dominated the lambs sold in the day’s sale. Two groups of 70-pound lambs sold for $133.70 and $133 ($1.91 and $1.90 per pound). The 75-pound lambs, brought $141.75 ($1.89 per pound. The 13, 61-pound lambs, brought $115.90 ($1.90 per pound) and the 16, 60-pound lambs, brought $112.80 ($1.88 per pound).

The 50-pound Cheviotcross lambs, brought $99 ($1.98 per pound). The group of 58-pound lambs brought $115.42 ($1.99 per pound).

The selection of goats was limited for this sale – especially, the does. There were only five 100-pound Alpine/ Boer-cross does, which brought $105 ($1.05 per pound).

The selection of bucks was slightly higher, for the buyer’s interest – keeping the auctioneer active. The interest in unusual features, still catches the attention and attracts higher bidding. The bucks sold for a high price, based upon some good breeding stock. The spotted Boer-cross bucks, whether it was the visual or the structural appearances – brought the top of the price range. A 65-pound, spotted Boer-cross buck, brought $129 ($1.99 per pound). A 55-pound, spotted Boer-cross buck, brought $97.50 ($1.77 per pound). The 145-pound Saanen-cross buck, brought $190 ($1.31 per pound).

A group of 17, 56-pound wethers, brought $110 ($1.96 per pound) and the 55-pound wethers brought $115 ($2.09 per pound).

The Ontario Stockyards Inc. market report (Feb. 18, 2011); indicated the demand for the heavier lambs was strong. Lightweight lambs were less required, but still sold at a constant price. The price of goats remained the same, from the last sale. The Ontario Stockyards Inc. market report (Feb. 11, 2011) indicated the lightweight lambs sold for premium prices. The heavier lambs sold at a steady price but not a premium rate. The goats sold at a steady fashion.

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EwesLambs (lbs.)110+ 95 -110 80 -94

Under 80

70 -75 60 -61

50 -58

$173.88 $207.36

$194.93 $215.25 $176.70 $184.24 $155.21 $167.40

$133 $141.75 $112.80 $115.90

$99 $115.42