Higher merino prices bode well

(From left) John Cook, and David Pattillo, Craig Knight, John Duffy and Allan Brown at the auction of an Armidale Station ram at the Central Otago Stud Merino Breeders sale at the Upper Clutha A and P Show on March 14. The ram was donated as an earthquake fundraiser by award-winning breeder A D Paterson and was purchased for $1200 by Lake Hawea farmer Tom Rowley. Photo by Marjorie Cook.

The top price of $3500 went to Tony Jopp's Moutere Station ram, which was purchased by Tony Clark of Closeburn Station in the Maniototo.

Owners showcased about 15 elite rams in the auction, with the reducing number of entries reflecting the dwindling size of merino flocks, PGG Wrightson auctioneer John Duffy said.

"There was spirited bidding on selected rams. Buyers were particular in what they were looking for," Mr Duffy said.

Central Otago Stud Merino Breeders president John Cook said the lift in prices this year boded well for the future. The industry had taken "quite a battering" in recent years, although prices for the finer merino wools were holding up well.

Wool was starting to regain value, breeders had been judicious in stock selection and setting standards, while farmers were trying to get the best quality ram they could afford, Mr Cook said.