The buyers present were not interested in exotic sheep or lambs, but instead paid close attention to age and quality.

During the sheep sale, all ewes saw major interest from buyers, with no evident price difference between wool and hair breeds. Average prices ranged from $1.05 to $1.18/lb., with a couple of exceptions that resulted in prices ranging from $1.24 to $1.29/lb.

During the ram sale, there was a clearly demonstrated preference for hair rams from various buyers. Prices ranged from $1.20 to $1.31/lb. for these animals. Wool rams ranged in price from $1.09 to $1.13/lb.

A buyer interested in Icelandic-cross rams in quality and various colours would have found good value at this sale, with few buyers present showing any interest in exotic sheep

The heavyweight class was represented by a 120-pound Clun Forest-cross lamb that brought $151.20 ($1.26/lb.)

Once again quality was clearly visible within this classification, which buyers used to make their decisions. Various animals weighing 95 pounds brought prices ranging as widely as $1.66 to $2.13/lb., with extra effort beneficial for the producer. Average prices that weren’t an outlier ranged from $2.03 to $2.05/lb. One exception was a 95-pound Suffolk-cross lamb which brought $2.13/lb.

Feeder lambs saw a variety of prices. An 85-pound Katahdin-cross lamb brought $1.60/lb. Wool lambs brought a price range from $1.98 to $2.20/lb. Eleven 92-pound Icelandic-cross lambs brought just $1/lb. Once again these lambs had excellent colours.

The lightweight lambs of the 70-plus-pound class ranged from $2.20 to $2.26/lb. An exception was a 79-pound Suffolk-cross lamb bringing $2.07/lb.

The 60-plus-pound classification continued this strong bidding. The price ranged from $2.29 to $2.37 per pound. However, the Icelandic-cross lambs did not reach this range. The seven 63-pound Icelandic-cross lambs brought $1.10 per pound.

Katahdin-cross lambs represented the 50-plus-pound classification. Price ranged from $1.91 to $2.10/lb.

A 35-pound Suffolk-cross lamb brought $1.50/lb. Four 38-pound Katahdin-cross lambs brought $1.40/lb.

Alpine-cross goat does represented the classification at this sale. Quality and age were guidelines for buyers. These issues caused wide price ranges. One group was from $1.06 to $1.21/lb. and another price range was from $1.53 to $1.54/lb. An exception was two 98-pound Alpine-cross goat does that brought $1.79/lb.

The lighter-weight Boer-cross goat bucks brought the higher price bidding. An 80-pound Boer-cross goat buck brought $2.22/lb., while a 160-pound Boer-cross goat buck brought $1.38/lb. A 60-pound Pygmy-cross goat buck brought $1.42/lb.

Heavier goat kids continued the strong bidding, but as the lighter goat kids entered the arena the bidding was not as strong. The eleven 71-pound Boer-cross goat kids brought $2.11/lb.

Two groups of 65-pound goat kids brought different bidding; first was $2.12/lb. and the other brought $2.46/lb.

The 50- and 58-pound Boer-cross goat kids brought $1.35/lb. and $2.07/lb.

A 45-pound Boer-cross goat kid brought $1.67/lb.

The group of two 28-pound Pygmy-cross goat kids and two 28-pound Alpine-cross goat kids, sold as a group, brought $1.16/lb.

The Ontario Stockyard Report indicated a higher bidding for well-fed light and heavy lambs compared to the last sale. All other classifications brought steady bidding.

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There was no differences in the price range between the wool and hair sheep — even the extremely woolly ewes were within the range. The price range was from $0.35 to $0.54 per pound. The quality of the ewe outweighed weight in the bidding.

Ram prices continued to be strong, similar to the last sale. The quality of the rams determined the price. The weight ranged from 135 to 200 pounds, with the prices ranging from $0.53 to $0.86 per pound.

The heavyweight classification of lambs was very limited. Five 111-pound Cheviot-cross lambs brought $128.76 ($1.16 per pound). A 125-pound Suffolk-cross lamb brought $140 ($1.12 per pound).

There appeared to be no differences between wool and hair lambs in the market lamb classification; the price ranged from $0.95 to $1.20 per pound. An exception was a group of 12 grain-fed 98-pound Rideau-cross lambs which brought $122.50 ($1.25 per pound). Bids were lower for market lambs at this sale.

Feeder lambs dominated this sale, with good quality and selection for the buyers. The price range appeared not to be affected by wool or hair lamb factor, or the weight of the lamb. The buyers had choices, creating a price range from $1.09 to $1.28 per pound for lamb weights ranging from 80 to 93 pounds.

The lightweight lambs continued this strong price bidding, from $1.15 to $1.28 per pound.

The slightly lower-weight lambs could be separated by the wool and hair lambs, the lower bidding was shown on the hair lambs. Prices on the hair lambs ranged from $1.09 to $1.14 per pound, while the wool lambs prices ranged from $1.17 to $1.29 per pound.

The price range could be noticeable, separated between the wool and the hair lambs, in the 50- to 59-pound range. The hair lambs brought a price range from $0.77 to $0.80 per pound, while the wool lambs brought a price range from $1.16 to $1.28 per pound.

A 40-pound Suffolk-cross lamb brought $28 ($0.70 per pound). A 45-pound Rideau-cross lamb brought $41.63 ($0.925 per pound).

A 35-pound Katahdin-cross lamb brought $28 ($0.80 per pound). Two 35-pound Rideau-cross lambs brought $33.60 ($0.96 per pound).

There was a good selection of goat does for the buyers. The does were drawing major interest from buyers. The dairy does were slightly lighter in weight compared to the meat goat does.

The Boer-cross bucks were impressive, as they entered the arena and were good breeding material for future herd improvements. The Alpine breed represented the goat-cross bucks and were slightly thin for this sale.

Buyers indicated major interest in the various weights of the goat kids. Even the bidding on the Pygmy-cross goats through the sale was strong. Three 52-pound Pygmy-cross does brought $77.50 ($1.49 per pound). Two 55-pound Pygmy-cross bucks brought $71 ($1.29 per pound). A 35-pound Pygmy kid brought $38 ($1.09 per pound).

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Covering good hay can pay, study shows

There are many alternatives for protecting a hay harvest, from full-on storage sheds with walls and doors to tarps and dangling weights.

Leaving round bales outside in rows side by side or “mushroom style” results in spoilage losses of six to 10 per cent, a 1988 study by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute found.

However, hay kept in a shed saw exactly zero losses, said Tim Clarke, a farm production adviser based in Ashern.

A top-notch, 80×200-foot storage shed 20 feet high with no foundation and a gravel floor would cost $228,000. If it holds 1,077 tons of medium squares and lasts 30 years, the cost of storage is about $212 per ton in capital costs or $7 per ton per year. If it lasts 25 years, the annual cost per ton is $8.20.

At four cents per pound, you’re probably better off storing hay outside and learning to live with the seven per cent lost to weather, he said.

But if the hay is worth over six cents per pound, the shed pays for itself — if it’s always full and lasts 30 years.

At $200-per-ton hay, weathering losses amount to $14 per ton. At that price, having a hay shed makes sense.

“So, the higher the value of the hay, the easier it is to pay for the hay shed,” said Clarke.

Lower-cost alternatives such as owner-built structures made with salvaged hydro poles or treated timbers can do a good job, too, but the hay may still be subject to rain or snow infiltration and bleaching if the sides aren’t covered.

A tarp can pay for itself, he added, especially if it can be made to last a few years.

A 25×48-foot hay tarp that costs $150 plus $25 of rope and weights covering 42 tons of hay with a three-foot overhang costs $4.17 per ton. If it lasts three years, the cost is just $1.38/ton per year.

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“All signs are for a record corn acreage to be sown in the U.S. this spring, which could really bring some relief to the feed grain prices this fall,” Karl Kynoch said at the council’s recent AGM.

“And any time corn comes down a couple dollars a bushel, that is huge for the bottom line and puts producers into profit margins a lot sooner.”

Corn may even drop below $6 per bushel by 2014, but the days of $2-a-bushel corn are gone for good, he added.

The situation is improving in the American Midwest this year following the worst drought in 50 years, that lowered production by 13 per cent. But spring rains have returned and so has optimism, said Kynoch.

“Right now we’re seeing a lot of moisture in the U.S.,” he said.

Two years of poor production in the U.S. pushed up corn prices and did further damage to the fortunes of Canadian pork producers, who had already been hit hard by the country-of-origin-labelling law and the 2009 H1N1 outbreak.

But there’s hope on the horizon for those producers who have managed to hang on, said Kynoch, who noted pig prices over the past year have been above the five-year average.

“If we can just lower the price of the feed grains and keep the meat prices up where they’ve been the past year… hopefully we’ll get some profit back,” he said.

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The buyers put extreme pressure on the ewes delivered to this sale. The price ranged from $0.625 to $0.71 per pound for the better-quality ewes. The ewes in the lower class saw prices ranging from $0.16 to $0.39 per pound. There was an exception of a 210-pound Rideau-cross ewe that brought $119.70 ($0.57 per pound).

There appeared to be no separation between wool and hair rams or based upon the ranges of weight. Rams ranged from 170 to 270 lbs., producing a price range from $0.33 to $0.725 per pound.

The heavyweight lambs attracted more buyer interest. The heavier lambs ranged from 108 to 140 pounds, with a price range from $0.975 to $1.12 per pound.

The demand for the market lambs took a severe drop. The bidding was much lower. A group of four 95-pound lambs brought $88.35 ($0.93 per pound). A group of three 98-pound lambs brought $98.98 ($1.01 per pound). A 95-pound Cheviot-cross lamb brought $54.63 ($0.575 per pound).

Bidding declined for the feeder lambs, as the demand was quite a bit lower than the last sale. The weight ranged from 80 to 91 lbs., with price ranging from $1 to $1.10 per pound. Lower-quality feeder lambs attracted less interest.

The buyers wanted the lighterweight lambs, and created some stronger bidding throughout the audience. Forty-three 75-pound Rideau-cross lambs brought $83.25 ($1.11 per pound). Seventeen 75-pound Dorper-cross lambs brought $84.75 ($1.13 per pound).

Twelve 68-pound Rideau-cross lambs brought $78.20 ($1.15 per pound). Twelve 64-pound Rideau-cross lambs brought $71.68 ($1.12 per pound).

New-crop lambs were represented by two groups, that were just removed from the ewes. Three 98-pound lambs brought $126.42 ($1.29 per pound). Three 72-pound lambs brought $93.60 ($1.30 per pound). There was a group of Dorper-cross lambs that was passed by the producer at this sale.

Goats

The younger and lighter-weight goat does were of major interest, causing some constant and strong bidding. The dairy does drew higher bidding from the audience. A 70-pound Alpine-cross doe brought $100 ($1.43 per pound). A 75-pound Alpine-cross doe brought $105 ($1.40 per pound).

An 85-pound Boer-cross doe brought $100 ($1.18 per pound). A 95-pound Boer-cross doe brought $107.50 ($1.13 per pound). The heavier-weight does were slightly lower in the price bidding. Two 125-pound Boer-cross does brought $117 ($0.94 per pound). Five 121-pound Boer-cross does brought $95 ($0.79 per pound).

The quantity of goat bucks was slightly lower. A 105-pound Alpine-cross buck brought $122.50 ($1.19 per pound). A 90-pound Boer-cross buck brought $112.50 ($1.25 per pound). A group of four 75-pound Boer-cross bucks brought $116 ($1.55 per pound).

Three 83-pound Alpine-cross goats brought $129 ($1.55 per pound). Two 88-pound La Mancha-cross goats brought $138 ($1.57 per pound).

The classification of goat (kids) or lighter-weight goats was much higher on demand from the buyers throughout the audience at this sale. This tender continued from the previous sale. Four 75-pound Boer-cross kids brought $112 ($1.49 per pound).

Three 60-pound Boer-cross kids brought $93 ($1.55 per pound). Three 65-pound Boer-cross kids brought $82.50 ($1.27 per pound).

A 55-pound La Mancha-cross Pygmy kid brought $82.50 ($1.50 per pound).

Two 45-pound Boer-cross kids brought $66 ($1.47 per pound). A 45-pound Alpine-cross Pygmy kid brought $75 ($1.67 per pound).

The Ontario Stockyard Report showed that heavier lambs sold for slightly higher prices than the lightweight lambs. The bidding has been constant for the sheep over the past few sales. The demand for the smaller and light-weight goats was the best it has been for the past sales.

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Buyers showed limited interest in ewes. The price ranged from $0.42 to $0.54 per pound, compared to the price range from last sale of $0.51 to $0.90 per pound. The ewes placed in the lower class ranged from $0.20 to $0.35 per pound. These ewes were in the weight range from 83 to 93 pounds.

Rams continued a constant and steady price bidding, as the demand has remained by the buyers. Two 190-pound Katahdin-cross rams brought $142.50 ($0.75 per pound). Two 193-pound rams brought $123.52 ($0.64 per pound).

There were two price groupings for heavyweight lambs. The higher-price lambs had a weight range from 120 to 130 pounds, which had a price range from $0.675 to $1 per pound. A group of four 113-pound lambs and two groups of 140-pound lambs formed the lower price range by the buyers. The price ranged from $0.32 to $0.41 per pound.

Prices for market lambs were down slightly. The weight ranged from 99 to 105 pounds that brought a price range from $1.02 to $1.17 per pound. One exception was a 105-pound Dorset-cross lamb which brought $28.35 ($0.27 per pound).

Feeder lamb prices were down slightly but buyers showed interest. The weight ranged from 80 to 92 pounds with a price ranging from $1.20 to $1.02 per pound.

Nine 73-pound lambs brought $78.84 ($1.08 per pound). The 70-pound Suffolk-cross lamb brought $81.20 ($1.16 per pound). An exception was a more mature 75-pound Suffolk-cross lamb which brought $54.38 ($0.725 per pound).

Prices showed some slight decrease in the much lighter lamb classification following the other lamb classes. A group of 65-pound lambs brought $76.38 ($1.175 per pound). A group of nine 66-pound lambs brought $70.62 ($1.07 per pound). An exception was a group of seven 68-pound more mature lambs that brought $51.68 ($0.76 per pound).

A 55-pound Cheviot-cross lamb brought $63.25 ($1.15 per pound).

Four 44-pound Savy-cross lambs brought $35.64 ($0.81 per pound).

No new-crop lambs were delivered for this sale.

Goats

The selection of goats delivered was much lower than the past sale. The Pygmy-cross goats dominated the total number of goats. A 65-pound Pygmy-cross doe brought $42.50 ($0.65 per pound).

The selection of goat bucks dominated the various goat classes. Demand for large bucks was low. The 120-pound Angora-cross goat (buck) brought $75 ($0.63 per pound). The well-developed 160-pound Alpine-cross buck brought $142.50 ($0.89 per pound). A 40-pound Pygmy-cross buck brought $41 ($1.03 per pound). A 25-pound Pygmy-cross buck brought $30 ($1.20 per pound). Two 40-pound Pygmy-cross bucks brought $37 ($0.93 per pound).

Two 65-pound Alpine-cross wethers brought $90 ($1.39 per pound). A 90-pound Boer-cross wether brought $87.50 ($0.97 per pound).

A group of four 33-pound Pygmy goats brought $32.50 ($0.99 per pound).

The Ontario Stockyard Report indicated that the demand for all classes of lambs was lower and causing the prices to be lower. The bidding prices of the sheep have stabilized compared to the constant declining prices from the past sales. The goats continue the strong and steady prices as the past sales.

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The buyers were interested with the quality ewes, similar to the last sale. The higher-quality ewes at this sale price ranged from $0.51 to $0.90 per pound. These ewes ranged in weight from 110 to 200 pounds. The ewes that were placed into the lower class, had a price range of $0.30-$0.49 from the bidding. There were numerous further culled ewes, receiving much lower prices per pound, at this sale.

The limited selection of rams did not increase bidding. This sale had three rams. A 105-pound Katahdin-cross ram brought $78.75 ($0.75 per pound). A 205-pound Katahdin-cross ram brought $153.75 ($0.75 per pound). A 215-pound Rideau-cross ram brought $137.60 ($0.64 per pound).

The wool lambs dominated the heavyweight classification. The bidding on the heavier-weight lamb was lower than for the lighter-weight lambs. The 140-pound lamb brought $1.07 per pound, while the 115-pound lambs brought $1.17 per pound.

The market lambs were high on demand. The price ranged from $1.10 to $1.21 per pound for lambs in the weight ranging from 95 to 110 pounds. The five 107-pound Dorset-cross lambs produced the highest price in this classification. These well-developed lambs brought $129.47 ($1.21 per pound). The auctioneer clearly indicated the quality of the market lambs throughout the sale.

Once again, the Dorset-cross lambs led the way to some strong prices and the highest bidding in the feeder lamb classification. All feeder lambs showed high quality and the producers were awarded for these lambs. The price ranged from $1.12 to $1.40 per pound, with a weight ranging from 84 to 93 pounds. The audience was given a treat when two groups of Jacob lambs entered the arena. However, the buyers showed very little interest for these Jacob lambs. The 20 76-pound Jacob lambs brought $63.84 ($0.84 per pound) and the six 60-pound Jacob lambs brought $48.60 ($0.81 per pound).

The lambs in the 70- to 78-pound range produced a price range from $1.18 to $1.25 per pound. Demand for this weight classification was strong and the bidding maintained proper prices.

Lambs that were much lighter, the prices declined from the lack of interest in the lower weights. The prices for the 60- to 66-pound lambs could not continue this pattern. The lambs in this weight class brought a price range from $1 to $1.325 per pound.

Five 52-pound Dorset-cross lambs brought $59.80 ($1.15 per pound). Three 58-pound Dorper-cross lambs brought $71.05 ($1.225 per pound). A group of two 58-pound Cheviot-cross and Rideau-cross lambs brought $87.50 ($1.50 per pound).

The arrival of the new-crop lambs is supposed to indicate that spring has arrived under the influence of the Easter season.

But new-crop lambs were not drawing the high prices of previous years. Five 65- pound Dorset-cross lambs brought $124.80 ($1.92 per pound). Fourteen 63-pound lambs brought $94.50 ($1.50 per pound). Eleven 59-pound Suffolk-cross lambs brought $95.88 ($1.625 per pound). Twelve 59-pound Suffolk-cross lambs brought $94.40 ($1.60 per pound).

Goats

In the classification of goats (does), there appeared to be no major differences between the milking varieties and the meat does. The quality of the does was the major influence in the price bidding and the heavyweight does were producing lower prices.

The Boer-cross does were representing the heavier animals, in the weight range of 145 to 200 pounds, with a price range from $0.55 to $0.59 per pound. The goats (does) in the weight range from 83 to 130 pounds produced a price range from $0.60 to $0.83 per pound.

Goats (does) that were showing an age or physical defect, were quickly classified as culls and reduction in the bidding. The buyers clearly expressed their lack of interest with price ranging from $0.20 to $0.40 per pound.

Whenever there is a package sale such as an Alpine-cross doe with small kid bidding goes a little wild. The 110-pound package deal brought $105 ($0.96 per pound).

The quantity of the goat bucks provided a great selection for the buyers. The demand on the lightweight goats (bucks) created stronger price bidding than the heavier bucks.The bucks that were in the weight range from 68 to 93 pounds brought a price range from $1 to $1.77 per pound. An exception was a 68-pound La Mancha-cross buck which brought $50 ($0.67 per pound).

The heavier bucks, in the weight range from 95 to 160 pounds, produced a price range from $0.76 to $0.97 per pound.

The interest for dairy breeds in the classification of doelings was consistent with past sales. A 65-pound Alpine-cross Boer doeling brought $100 ($1.54 per pound). A 40-pound La Mancha-cross doeling brought $80 ($2 per pound). Yet, a 70-pound Boer-cross doeling brought $52.50 ($0.75 per pound).

Bidding remained steady for kid goats. Kid goats in the weight range from 61 to 68 pounds brought $1.08 to $1.71 per pound.

Goat (kids) in the 50- to 58-pound range brought $1.36 to $1.72 per pound. An exception was a 55-pound Boer-cross kid that showed physical disability, which brought $42.50 ($0.77 per pound).

Goat (kids) in the 40- to 48-pound range brought the price range from $1.03 to $1.77 per pound. An exception was a 40-pound Boer-cross goat (kid) that brought $35 ($0.88 per pound).

A group of five 35-pound goat (kids) brought $47.50 ($1.36 per pound). A 35-pound Alpine-cross La Mancha goat (kid) brought $40 ($41.14 per pound). A group of nine 36-pound goat (kids) brought $46 ($1.28 per pound).

A group of three 25-pound goat (kids) brought $42.50 ($1.70 per pound). A group of 28-pound goat (kids) brought $40 ($1.43 per pound).

The Ontario Stockyard Report indicated that there was some improvement in the sheep prices at its last sale. However, the heavier lambs continued to show some declining prices. The well-developed new-crop lambs brought a strong bidding from the buyers, price ranging from $1.79 to $2.39 per pound ($179 to $239/cwt). Once again, the bidding on the goats was steady.

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There was no clear separation in the price bidding between wool and hair ewes, at this sale. Bids on all ewes were lower compared to the last sale, but this is following the past few weeks of the Ontario trend. The higher-quality ewes at this sale price ranged from $0.58 to $0.90 per pound, for ewes ranging in weight from 98 to 175 pounds. Bidding was lower on some ewes due to physical characteristics. The class of these ewes had a price range from $0.20 to $0.49 per pound.

The selection of rams, was higher than the last sale. Two 145-pound Dorper-cross rams brought $140.65 ($0.97 per pound). A 175-pound Dorper-cross ram brought $134.75 ($0.77 per pound). A 165-pound Katahdin-cross ram brought $120.45 ($0.73 per pound). A group of 223-pound Cheviot-cross and a 223-pound Suffolk-cross ram brought $176.17 ($0.79 per pound).

The heavyweight lambs continued with a soft bidding from the buyers at this sale. The selection was a bit limited for the sale market. The price ranged from $112.70 to $132.99 for weights ranging from $0.93 to $0.98 per pound. There was an exception of a 145-pound Dorset-cross lamb brought $82.65 ($0.57 per pound).

The buyers appeared to be showing more of a demand on the lighter-weight market lambs. The selection of the market lambs was divided in the weight range from 95 to 99 pounds. These lambs brought $1.10 to $1.17 per pound. Slightly heavier lambs in the weight range of 110 to 105 pounds brought a price range from $0.97 to $1.06 per pound.

The demand continued for the feeder lambs following the prices of the last sale. The weight of the feeder lambs ranged from 80 to 94 pounds with a price range of $1.07 to $1.24 per pound. This classification of lambs dominated this sale.

For a special treat for the various buyers three 88-pound milk-fed lambs were presented for sale prompting some exciting bidding for a final price of $147.40 ($1.675 per pound).

A group of 73-pound lambs brought $89.79 ($1.23 per pound). Thirteen 78-pound Suffolk-cross lambs brought $94.38 ($1.21 per pound). There were three groups of lambs at the weight of 75 pounds. Four Cheviot-cross lambs brought $84.75 ($1.13 per pound). A Suffolk-cross lamb brought $89.25 ($1.19 per pound). Fifteen Dorper-cross brought $89.25 ($1.19 per pound).

Ten 63-pound Suffolk-cross lambs brought $78.75 ($1.25 per pound). Twenty 66-pound Dorper-cross lambs brought $81.18 ($1.23 per pound). There were three groups of 65-pound lambs for this sale. A Dorper-cross lamb brought $83.20 ($1.28 per pound). A Suffolk-cross lamb brought $77.35 ($1.19 per pound). Four Dorper-cross lambs brought $83.20 ($1.28 per pound).

Two 53-pound Dorper-cross lambs brought $66.25 ($1.25 per pound). Two 55-pound Dorper-cross lambs brought $70.13 per pound.

A 45-pound Dorper-cross lamb brought $54.90 ($1.22 per pound).

Goats

The classification of goat does was presented by a 100-pound Boer-cross nanny that brought $97.50 ($0.96 per pound). The other was a 115-pound Saanen-cross nanny which brought $107.50 ($0.93 per pound).

The selection of bucks was limited. A 185-pound Boer-cross buck brought $200 ($1.08 per pound). A 195-pound Alpine-cross buck brought $237.50 ($1.22 per pound).

Two 158-pound Boer-cross wethers brought $135 ($0.85 per pound).

A group of six 89-pound Alpine-cross and Boer-cross bucklings brought $121 ($1.36 per pound). Ten 89-pound Boer-cross wethers brought $106 ($1.19 per pound).

Ten 77-pound Boer-cross bucklings brought $136 ($1.19 per pound).

Two 68-pound Boer-cross bucklings brought $100 ($1.47 per pound). A group of nine 61-pound Alpine-cross and Boer-cross bucklings brought $88 ($1.44 per pound). Two 65-pound Pygmy-cross bucklings brought $71 ($1.09 per pound).

A group of six 58-pound Alpine-cross and Boer-cross bucklings brought $97 ($1.67 per pound).

Two 43-pound Alpine bucklings brought $70 ($1.63 per pound).

A 30-pound Boer-cross goat kid brought $50 ($1.67 per pound). A 35-pound Boer-cross goat kid brought $50 ($1.43 per pound).

The Ontario Stockyard Report continues to show that sheep prices are dropping and have been declining for quite some sales. The lightweight lambs kept the buyers due to the demand on these lambs. However, other classes of lambs were steady. The goat prices remain constant and have been for numerous sales in the past.

U.S. Farm Report (03/02/2013) states the traditional Easter lamb dinner will be higher in cost. The USDA forecast that the prices in 2013 will be higher, as there is a small lamb crop and the availability is down by three per cent.

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The quality of wool and hair ewes on offer was good and prices were similar to the last sale. The price ranged from $0.70 to $0.83 per pound and the weight ranged from 129 to 190 pounds.

There was one 165-pound Dorset-cross ram on offer which brought $115.50 ($0.70 per pound).

The demand for the heavyweight lambs was not as strong as at the last sale. A mixed group of 25 115-pound lambs brought $123.05 ($1.07 per pound).

A 115-pound Romnova-cross lamb brought $121.90 ($1.06 per pound). A group of three 118-pound lambs brought $130.98 ($1.18 per pound).

The demand for market lambs remained fairly constant. Three 100-pound Katahdin lambs brought $107 ($1.07 per pound). A 105-pound Romnova-cross lamb brought $118.65 ($1.13 per pound).

Feeder lamb prices were much stronger than the last sale. The price ranged from $1.10 to $1.20 per pound with weights ranging from 84 to 93 pounds. There was no differences between the wool and hair lambs in bidding.

The prices for lightweight lambs were stronger. Four 71-pound Rideau-cross lambs brought $83.07 ($17 per pound). Nine 79-pound Cheviot-cross lambs brought $97.17 ($1.23 per pound).

Four 56-pound Rideau-cross lambs brought $58.24 ($1.04 per pound).

Two groups of Boer-cross does represented the classification. Four 184-pound Boer-cross does brought $125 ($0.68 per pound). The nine 124-pound younger Boer-cross does brought $102.50 ($0.83 per pound).

There was an improved selection of bucks. Producers had supplied dairy and meat varieties which attracted strong bidding. Prices for dairy bucks were lower than for meat bucks. Three 93-pound Alpine-cross bucks brought $118 ($1.27 per pound). A group of five 85-pound Saanen-cross and Alpine-cross bucks brought $98 ($1.15 per pound). Three 85-pound Boer-cross bucks brought $110 ($1.29 per pound). A 95-pound Boer-cross buck brought $123 ($1.30 per pound).

Four 73-pound Boer-cross doelings brought $114 ($1.56 per pound).

Eight 79-pound Boer-cross bucklings brought $118 ($1.49 per pound).

Four 68-pound Boer-cross wethers brought $111 ($1.63 per pound). Eight 66-pound Boer-cross wethers brought $107 ($1.62 per pound). Seven 58-pound Boer-cross wethers brought $104 ($1.79 per pound).

The Ontario Stockyard Report continues to show a continued downward trend for heavy lambs. The demand from the buyers allowed the lightweight lambs to develop a steady price. Once again, the goat prices remained steady due to the constant demand.

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Wool ewes dominated ewes on offer at this sale. The price ranged from $0.69 to $0.80 per pound. Bids on hair ewes brought $0.66 per pound. There was a higher demand for a group of open Rideau-cross ewes, which brought $0.85 per pound. However, there appeared to be less interest by the buyers for a group of 10 pregnant Dorper-cross ewes due to lamb in March. They fetched $92. Limited producers wanted to increase their present herd with this group of ewes.

The well-structured 240-pound-frame Dorper-cross ram brought $168 ($0.70 per pound). The trend for this sale was the heavyweight rams produced lower prices compared to lighter rams. The weight ranged from 158 to 205 pounds, ranging in price from $0.82 to $0.66 per pound.

The heavyweight classification was represented by one 140-pound Suffolk-cross lamb which brought $133 ($0.95 per pound).

There was a strong presence of market lambs delivered for this sale. There were more wool lambs on offer but prices were no different than for the hair lambs. Weights ranged from 94 to 107 pounds, with a price ranging from $94.05 to $109.14, showing a range of $0.99 to $1.05 per pound.

The bidding on the feeder lambs was stronger than the market lambs, but still lower from the last sale. The weight of the feeder lambs ranged from 83 to 88 pounds, ranging in price from $97.11 to $101.20 ($1.15 to $1.19 per pound).

The demand for the lightweight lambs remained similar to the last sale and the last sale of 2012, based upon the bidding from the buyers. Once again, there was a good selection of these lighter lambs. Three 72-pound Rideau-cross lambs brought $87.12 ($1.21 per pound). There were two groups of 75-pound lambs.

One Suffolk-cross lamb brought $89.25 ($1.19 per pound), and the other group of 42 mixed lambs brought $92.25 ($1.23 per pound).

Two 53-pound lambs brought $59.36 ($1.12 per pound). Twenty-five 56-pound lambs brought $62.72 ($1.12 per pound).

Goats

Two 98-pound Boer-cross does brought $90 ($0.92 per pound). A group of five Boer-cross does and one La Mancha-cross doe with a weight of 106 pounds brought $88 ($0.83 per pound). The bidding on a group of seven pygmy-cross does was not as strong from the buyers as the producer had wanted and they didn’t change owners.

There were no mature bucks delivered to this sale.

Six 89-pound Boer-cross wethers brought $100 ($1.12 per pound). One 85-pound Boer-cross goat brought $102.50 ($1.21 per pound).

Two 70-pound goats brought $80 ($1.14 per pound).

Three 63-pound Boer-cross bucklings brought $70 ($1.11 per pound). Eight 63-pound goat kids brought $80 ($1.27 per pound). Nine 64-pound goat kids brought $80 ($1.25 per pound).

Five 59-pound Boer-cross goat wethers brought $68 ($1.28 per pound). A group of 41 59-pound Boer-cross goat kids brought $70 ($1.19 per pound). Five 54-pound Boer-cross goat kids brought $68 ($1.26 per pound).

A group of Boer-cross and Alpine-cross goat kids brought $73 ($1.26 per pound).

Ten 45-pound Boer-cross goat kids brought $55 ($1.22 per pound). Three 43-pound Boer-cross goat kids brought $54 ($1.26 per pound).

The Ontario Stockyard Report indicated that all classes of sheep, lambs and goats sold at a steady price. However, the prices had been dropping over the past few sales. The new-crop lambs showed limited demand at this sale, thus lower price bidding from the buyers.

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