WAIKATO MARKET REPORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 11 December 1923, Page 8

WAIKATO MARKET REPORTS.

The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Co., Ltd., report:—

Bee/.—The decline in beef ntill continues, and at the present rate freezing level will soon be reached. Although not definitely quoted this is expected to be about 20/ per 1001b. Present yard quotations for prime ox are from 22/ to 24/; cow, 16/ to 19/.

Mutton.—Mutton Is still declining although the markets are far from being oversupplied. The freezing value of wethers will prevent them falling much below the present level. Ewes if sound in mouth should meet with competition from breeders, and in this event will probably not descend to freezing values.

Lamb.—Considerable reticence has been observed by the freezing companies this season in the pursuit of their operations. -What object they had in view can only be surmised, but certain it is that no sense of alarm wns spread to those whom it might have been supposed to affect, viz., the lamb misers. Secrecy is, however, now disappearing and lambs seem to have some value after all. BJd is now being offered. figure would have been insufficient to induce business on this side of the water.

Store Cattle.—There has been much stronger inquiry of late for all classes of store cattle, and competition is everywhere met with. The demand for grown steers is not easy to satisfy, and many regret not having taken the opportunity to purchase when lines were thrown on the market. Young steers also are being sought for and not easy to obtain. Empty cowe have been selling remarkably well, viewed in comparison witu the present value of beef and the uncertainty of the outlook. Empty heifers have regained a little of their buoyancy and many good' values have resulted.

Store Sheep.—The inquiry for wethers is not too strong, but breeding ewes ore being quietly sought after, and give every indication of realising fair values. Store lambs are being quoted for forward delivery, bat apparently too high to be tempting. Pips.—The pig market has been subject to considerable fluctuation lately aud is still unsteady. Operations will no doubt be curtailed Bomewhut until Christinas has passed. Weight sheets ex yard sales work out about 6}d per lb for fats. Store pigs maintain their position well and good competition is ever present. We quote as follows :— Bullocks, heavy prime £8 10/ to £3 1 0/, medium £7 10/ to £8 0/ ; cows, heavy young £5 to £5 10/, medium £3 15/ to £4 10/, forwnrd £2 10/ to £3; steers, 4-yenr, forward, £4 10/ to £5 ; stores, £4 to £4 10/ ; cowb, stores, £1 5/ to £3; steers, 3-year. best, £'i 10/ to £4 ; empty heifers, 2-year best Shorthorn £3 to £4, 2-year medium Shorthorn £2 10/ to £3 ; steers, 2-year best Shorthorn £3 5/ to £3 13/, 2-year medium Shorthorn £2 15/ to £3 2/6: yearling heifers, best Shorthorn £2 10/ to £3 10/, Holstein £3 5/ to £4, Jersey £4 10/ to £C 15/, steers, best £2 10/ to £3, medium £2 to £2 7/6; wethers, prime heavy shorn 30/ to 32/, prime medium shorn 27/ to 28/6; ewes, prime heavy shorn 25/ to 27/ ; ewes with lambs at foot, £2 to £2 10/; store wethers, 4-tooth, shorn, 25/ to 28/; store hoggets, good, shorn, £1 3/ to £1 5/ ; store hoggets, medium, shorn, £1 1/ to £1 2/6. Pigs, baconers, heavy £3 10/ to £4 5/, light £3 to £3 7/6; porkers, heavy, £2 5/ to £2 15/ ; good slips, £1 5/ to £1 "10/ ; small slips, 1.8/ to £1 3/; weaners, 10/ to 16/. Horses: Heavy draughts. £40 to £.10; medium draughts, £30 to £35: light draughts, £18 to £22; harness horses, £10 to £15 ; hacks, £5 to £10.