LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1930, Page 4

LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

UNSEASONABLE WEATHER. RESTRICTS LAMB EXPORT. Unseasonable weather during the" past few weeks has materially interfered with the fattening of lambs, and in consequence there has been a reduction over the past week in supplies coming to the local freezing works. Thousands of lambs that were expected have failed to materialise m consequence of the conditions referred to. They will probably be available later on, but market conditions at Smithfield seem fairly good at present, and the delay of a few weeks may prove detrimental to selling values. • The supply of pigs, too, has eased off, and it is evident that the drain made by heavy exports last year will result m a lessened output for the current season. The market for New Zealand pigs at Smithfield continues good, due, it is said, ■to the shortage of Home killed. At this time last year New Zealand pork was quoted at 7d to 7%d per lb, and bacon at 7d. To-day the values are lOYad to lid for pork and 9d for baconers. The sheep market is the weakest feature of the Dominion meat trade at the present time. In view of the slump m wool values and the lower rates for mutton for export, dealers all over the Dominion, whose operations last year resulted in most cases in heavy losses, are chary about purchasing stores, except at extremely low rates. Fat stock values have also been affected, and both lambs and sheep are lower than was the case at this time last year. The following indicates the difference in the values of main lines sold at Westfield at this period, compared with those of a year ago:—

January, January, 1929. 1930, •Beef (per cwt) . 43/ 43/ Prime wethers .. 28/ to 34/ 28/6 to 30/ Ewes 20/ to 26/6 21/6 to 23/ Lambs 23/ to 31/ 18/ to 25/ Baconers ...... 51/ to 67/ 76/ to 87/ Porkers 40/ .to 52/ 64/ to .74/ Dairy cattle are still in keen request, despite the fact that New Zealand butter in London is down to 154/ (top price), compared with 186/ a year ago, and cheese at 83/ to 86/, compared with 95/ to 99/ $t this time last year. , , Westfield Sale. At Westfield yesterday, entries of beef cattle were smaller and' last week's advance was easily maintained. Calves were more plentiful, and values eased towards the close of the sale. Sheep and lambs were in normal supply, and sold at about late rates. There was keen competition for pigs, and a good clearance at high prices was effected. The range of prices, together with those ruling last week, was as follows: — * ' This week. Last week. BEEF (per 1001b)— "Extra choice ox 43/ 43/ Choice and prime ox 40/ to 42/ 40/ to 44/ Choice and prime cow & heifer 37/ to 39/ 37/ to 39/

LOAN AND MERCANTILE. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency. Company, Limited, reports:— Ox beef was penned in less than average numbers, values being very firm at late rates. Cow and heifer beef was penned in average numbers and sold readily at last ■week's quotations. Extra choice ox sold to £2 3/ per 1001b; choice and prime, £2 to £2 2/; ordinary and plain, £1 17/ to £1 19/; prime young, cow and heifer beef, £1 17/ to £1 19/; ordinary 1 cow beef, £1 14/ ito £1 16/; extra heavy prime steers, £16 .5/ to £17; heavy prime,.. £14 15/ to £16 2/6; lighter prime, £13 to £14 12/6; light prime, £11 10/ to £12 15/; unfinished and small, £9 to £11 5/; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £11 to £12 12/6; heavy prime, £9 10/ to • £10 15/; lighter, £8 12/6 to £9 7/6; light cows, £7 10/ to £8 10/;. other cows, £6 to £7 7/6. Extra heavy prime steers from Mr. Alex Orr, .Hoteo property, sold to £17, being purchased by Mr.; T. Baster, butcher. Heavy prime heifers from Mr. James Taylor's Glen Innes property, sold to £12 12/6, this price being paid by Mr. T. McKechhie,- butcher. Twelve cows and heifera'from the same vendor averaged £11 6/3. Sheep were penned in large numbers and sold at late rates. Heavy prime wethers made £1 8/6 to £1 10/; medium prime, £1 6/6 to £1 8/; light prime, £1 5/ to £1 6/3; small and unfinished, £1 2/6 to £1 4/9;-extra heavy prime ewes, -£1 1/6 to £1 3/; heavy prime, 19/9 to £1 1/, medium prime, 18/ to 19/6; light prime, 16/6 to . 17/9. Lambs were penned in average numbers and sold at late rates, realising 18/. to £1 Z/. Pigs penned in average numbers met with keen competition. "Values were firm on last week's quotations. ' Choppers sold at £2 10/ to £4 2/; heavy and medium baconers, £3 •16/ to £4 7/; light baconers and heavy porkers, £3 4/to £3 14/; medium porkers and light porkers, £2 12/' to £3 2/; small and unfinished porkers, £2 5/ to £2 10/. Store pigs were penned in small numbers. Values were firm at late quotations. Large stores made £1 16/ to £2 4/; slips, £1 5/ to £l 14/; weaners, 12/ to £1 4/. Calves .were panned in large numbers and were dull of sale. Values eased considerably on last week's quotations. Runners made £4 10/ to £6 10/; heavy vealers, £4 to £5 14/; medium, £3 to £3 18/; light, £2 to £2 18/; smaller, £18/ to £118/; small and fresh-dropped, 7/ to £1 6/; rough calves, 16/ to £1 5/. ■ ■■

DALGETY AND COMPANY. Dalgety and Company, . Limited, reports: —We" penned ox beef in numbers TV-11l up to usual. Taken throughout the quality was first-class, and a steady demand resulted'' in last week « values b«ng strongly sustained. Some of our best sales were as follows:—Bullocks from Mr. 15/ i„ fr SS Mr.: B. Johnstone, £12 7/6 to^ 1 55/, from Mr. L. R. W. Reid, £12 10/ to £13. Cow and heifer beef was yarded in usual numbers, the quality showing an improvement on last weeks offenng. Competi "tion for all sorts was good, and last week s values again ruled. Extra good cows from Mr. W. .Alison realised £10 5/ to .p 1 * K/ "Well-finished' heifers from Mr. J. young cows from the WaikatOir £8 15/ t £10 ,; 15/ '7Extra choice ox sold -to 43/ _per 1001b choice and prime, 39/ t0.41/; plain 22'SJ 347 to JM cow and heifer beef, 39/; •29/ to 31/. Fat sheep were, pen:ned an about, average numbers, with the hardly up to usual. All well-finished line were well competed for and" values 1 can - ibe quoted at about -par on thej previous sale. ' Prime heavy wethers oh account of fee of the late , 4 Mr. Alex.' Bell, Tealieed _28/6 - and were purchased by ocott e, Limited. Prime ewes on account ot the same vendor, realised 20/9. Other reabsed 26/-to 27/; wethers from +™ made '2s/« to 27/9,7 and • W6th « rß » 25/9 to 26/6. Extra heavy prime wethers made 28/6; • heavy prime, 27/;. medium, 25/9- iheivv prime - ewes, 20/9 to i 9/3; Other ewes, 17/ Lambs were yaXl • in lesser numbers than last week;- with . values about the same. Heavy. oriirip . iambs made • 23/3 to '24/3; medium' prime 22/3; light 21/. Calves were penned

in larger numbers and sold at about recent rates at the start the sale, bu declined later. A well-finished runner, sold on account of Mr. J. A. Hill, Ohme wai, was bought by Mr. J. Rowe, Newmarket, for £8 12/6. An extra gooji v eater from the same vendor was sold at £5 15/ to Mr. A. W. Scot-ting, at. Helier's. Runners made to £8 12/6; heavy vealere, £4 5/ to £5 15/; medium, £3^ to £4; light, £2 to £2 15/; small, 10/ to 25/. Pigs sold freely at fully late rates. Heavy baconers made £3 18/ to £4 5/; medium, baconers, £3 12/ to £3 17/; lig ■baconers, .£3 5/. to £3 10/; .heavy porkers £2 15/ to £3 3/; medium and light porkers, £2 4/ to £2 12/.

ALFRED BUCKLAND AND SONS. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Ltd., report:—We penned beef to the number of 368 head, as against 206 head at last Wed- • nesday's market, comprising 228 steers and MO cows and heifers. There V as again , a keen demand, and last week s advance was easily sustained. Extra choice osold to £2 3/ per 1001b; choice and prime, £2 to £2 3/; secondary and plain, ;bi SL'beft M"/*.*l ; cow beef, £1 i°/ to £ 1 13/. >e fJ y . SMSi oKi, and the buyer Mr. E. Wilson Eden Terrace;, heavy prime steers, £1j 15/ to £lb 10/> lighter prime, £14 10/ to £15 12/6; ligi prime, £13 5/ to £14 7/6; small and unfinished, £10 10/ to £13 2/6 heavy prime young cows and heifers made £11 to £12 2/6; heavy prime cows and heifers,' £9 to £10 17/6; lighter prime, £7 10/ to £8 17/6; other billable cows, £5 15/ to £7'7/6. The highest averages for steers were:—l 4 from Mr. B. Reid, Waerenga, £10 3/4; 17 from Mr. W. . Ring, Hinuera, £15 9/1; 8 from Mr. H. Kelland, Waipipi, £15 3/5; 8I from Mr C. E. Sampson, Waerenga,. £14 19/4, M from Mr. Alma Baker, Te Karaka estate, '£14 14/7; 16 from the Waikato, £14 15/. 16 from Messrs. Proctor Bros., Orini, £14 10/6; 8 from Mrs. Prentice, Te Kauwliata, £14 6/10; 8 from Mr. J. R. Hill, Ohinewai, £14 2/6; 30 from Messrs. Dea:th Bros., Waitakaruru, £13 19/5. There was a full yarding of sheep, which met with a steady sale throughout, with little or no alteration in values from last report. Extra heavy prime wethers made £1 8/0 to £1 9/6; heavy prime, £1 7/ to £1 8/3; medium to heavy prime, £16/ to £1 0/J; light to medium prime, £1 5/ to £1 o/J; unfinished wethers, £14/ to £1 4/9|_ e^*^ a heavy prime young ewes, £1 1/ to £1 2/3; heavy prime ewes, 19/ to £1 0/9; lighter prime, 18/ to 18/9; other. tillable ewes, 15/6 to 17/9; other ewes, 10/6 to 15,/ (1179 sheep sold). The 265 lambs which came forward were of good quality and sold freely at ruling values. Extra heavy prime lambs made £1 5/ to £1 6/; heavy prime, £1 4/ to £1 4/9; lighter prime, £1 2/6 to £1 3/9; light prime, £1 1/ to £1 2/3; small and plain, 15/ to £1 0/9. We yarded an increased number of fat and young calves. Except for vealevs of outstanding quality, values were easier. Runners made £5 10/ to £7 1/; Heavy vealers, £3 16/ to £5 4/; medium, £3 10/ to £3 15/; light, £2 10/ to £3 2/; small, £1 15/ to £2 4/; bucket-fed calves, £1 2/ to £1 11/; rough and unfinished, 18/ to £1 3/; fresh-dropped, and small, 6/ to 16/ (total of 230 calves sold). There was also a good yarding of fat pigs, including many lines of prime baconers. Bidding was keen throughout and we report i further rise in values. Baconers sold at equal to 6 1 /£ dto 7d per lb, while porkjrs realised 7d to 7 1 /2 d per lb. Choppers made £2 15/ to £3 15/; heaw pir-.c baconers, £4 1/ to £4 7/; medium, £3 16/ to £3 18/; light, £3 9/ to ro ; }.■./; heavy porkers, £3 2/ to £3 8/; medium, £2 15/ to £2 19/; light, £2 9/ to £2 13/; small and unfinished, £2 2/ to £2 6/; medium stores, £1 14/ to £1 17/; slips, £1 8/ to"£l 12/; good weaners, £1 to £1 4/; smaller, 14/ to 17/ (394 pigs were sold); o ■

COUNTRY SALES.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, Company, Limited, reports:— Sales were held during the past week at Westfield and Warkworth, all classes of cattle selling at. late rates. We quote: Dairy cows and heifers cose to profit, best, £11 10/ to £14 10/; others, £8 to £11 5/; backward springers, £6 10/ to £9 7/6; aged cows and inferior heiiers, £3 10/ to £6 7/6; bulls," £3 10/ to £10 10/, according to weight and quality; boner and empty cows, £4 5/ to £6 17/6; weaner calves, lieifers, £2 to £3 15/; steers, £3 to £4 10/; yearling to 18months heifers, £4 15/ to £6 15/; steers, £4 10/ to £6 12/6; two to 2 J /2-year steers, £6 15/ to £7 17/6; three to 3%-year steers, £8 to £9 15/; 4 to steers, £10 to . £11 5/. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Limited, report:—During the week we held cattle sales at Westfield, Waiuku, Turua, Wellsford and, Tuakau. ■ There- were average yardings at all centres and there continues to be a good inquiry for all classes, few failing to change owners. Best dairy cows made £13 to £15 10/; good cows, £10 10/ to £12 15/; second grade cows, £8 to £10 5/; aged and inferior, £4 10/ to £7 15/; best springing heifers, £10 to £12 15/; others, £6 10/ to £9 15/; empty young cows and heifers, £4 10/ to £65/; store and boner cows, £2 10/ to £6 10/; heavy prime young cows and heifers, £8 to £10 15/; lighter fat cows and heifers, £6 to £7 17/6; fat steers, £11 15/ :o £13 12/6; grown steers in forward condition, £10 10/ to £11 7/6; three to four-year-old steers, £9 to £10 8/; two to three-years-old steers, £8 to £9;. yearlings to two-year-old steers, £5 10/ to £7 15/; best 18-month-old. in-calf dairy heifers, £7 to £8 15/; others, £5 10/ to £6 17/6; weaner heifers, £2 10/ to £4;, weaner steers, £2 10/ to £3 15/; cows with calves, £7 10/ to £10 15/; heavy bulls, £8 to £12 10/; sound young herd bulls, £5 5/ to £10 10/; other bulls, £3 to £6.

THE ADDINGTON MARKET,

SMALLER ENTRIES; BETTER PRICES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) . CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. At the market at Addington there were lighter entries in nearly all departments, which was no doubt due in part to the bad weather, which has continued over the two weeks. As a result .prices generally were very firm; Store Sheep.—There was a smaller entry than last week, consisting chiefly of lambs, which filled eight races. The quality was'good'and prices firmer by up . to 1/. The sale for adult sheep was dragging. Values were: Medium four-tooth half bred wethers, 21/9 to 23/; ordinary six and eight-tooth halfbred wethers, to 18/3; backward six and eight-tooth halfbred wethers, to 16/3; good six and eight-tooth Romney wethers, to 25/6; Merino wethers, to 8/; best wether lambs, 20/ to 22/; good wether lambs, 16/ to 19/; ordinary wether lambs, 13/ to 15/; best mixed sex lambs, to 21/; good mixed sex lambs, 18/ to 20/; medium, mixed sex lambs, 15/6 to 17/6; ordinary mixed sex lambs, to 15/; ordinary four-tooth halfbred ewes, to 25/7; ordinary two-tooth halfbred ewes, to 22/3; ordinary sound:mouth halfbred ewes, 18/. to 21/; backward sound-mouth halfbred ewes, to 17/- medium four and'six-tooth Romney ewes, 26/6 to 28/; goodewe lambs, to 21/; ewes'and lambs (all counted), to 12/3. . •'•■ Fat Lambs.—There was a larger yarding totalling 2030 head, of mixed quality Prices eased to an average of 8d per lb over all. Exporters operated freely at values ranging up to B%d .per lb The range of prices was: Extra,prime lambs, to 29/10; pri&e lambs, 26/ Jo 2£/6; lamb's, 23/ to 25/6; light lambs, 19/ to Sheep.—There was an entry of on|y eight to nine races, as compared .with 14 races last week.. The was, Jiot,good. Ewes were firmer by up; to. V 6» a neaa and wethers . were,„ firm.' at ;.late rates. . Export buyers operated at'.pnces .equal to 6d per lb for wethers-arid fat Values •were: Prime wethers; '30/6 ' to . 33/1;'

medium wethers, 26/ to 30/; light 20/10 to 25/6; prime ewes, 24/6 to ordinary ewes, 20/ to .24/; light ewes, lb/ to 19/; hoggets, to 28/1; 4d per lb for ewes Fat Cattle—There was an entry of 450 head, with a big proportion of yarding cows. Values remained firm at last weeks rates. Best medium-weight prime beet made from 44/ to 47/ per 1001b; S°°d medium-weight prime beef, 41/ to m/D| heavy steer beef, 40/ to 43/; good cow beef, to 40/; secondary, 32/ to 35/; light and rough, to 29/. Fat Pigs.—There was a medium entry, with baconers in bigger supply than at the last sale. Bacon was a little easier, with pork firm. Values were: Choppers, 50/ to £5 18/6; baconers, £3 12/6 to £5 10/6 (average price per lb 6%d to 8d); porkers, 40/ to £3 6/6 (average price per lb, 8d to 9d).

LONDON MARKET RATES.

Following are the latest quotations for New Zealand meat on the London market:— .■ _ , , Wethers and Maidens. —Canterbury quality and North Island selected crossbred ewes, 481b to 561b, 7%d per lb: 571b to 641b, 6%d; 651b to 721b, 6%d Ewes, 481b to 641b, sYsd per lb; 651b to 721b, 4%d Lambs—Selected North Island brands, 361b and under, 10% d. Pigs—First quality, 601b to 1001b, lid; 1011b to 1201b, 10% d.

4 . ■ ■ . - ... ■ FINANCE, COMIERC LIVE STOCK MARKETS. ™ UNSEASONABLE WEATHER. RESTRICTS LAMB EXPORT. Unseasonable weather during the" past * few weeks lias materially interfered with p the fattening of lambs, and in consequence b there has been a reduction over the past b week in supplies coming to the local freezing works. Thousands of lambs that were p expected have failed to materialise m consequence of the conditions referred to. They will probably be available later on, but market conditions at Smithfield seem P fairly good at present, and the delay of a few weeks may prove detrimental to L selling values. . * ■ The supply of pigs, too, has eased on, and it is evident that the drain made by heavy exports last year will result ma lessened output for the current season. jThe market for New Zealand pigs at c Smithfield continues good, due, it is said, to the shortage of Home killed. At this d time last year New Zealand pork was quoted at 7d to 7 J /4d per lb, and bacon } at 7d. To-day the values are lOYad to j lid for pork and 9d for baconers. The sheep market is the weakest feature of the Dominion meat trade at the j. present time. In view of the slump m _ wool values and the lower rates for mutton j for export, dealers all over the Domin- . ion, whose operations last year resulted ! in most cases in heavy losses, are chary j about purchasing stores, except at ex- i tremely low rates. ] Fat stock values have also been affected, and both lambs and sheep are lower than ( was the case at this time last year. j The following indicates the difference 1 . in the values of main lines sold at West- j field at this period, compared with those - of a year ago:— January, January, 1929. 1930, •Beef (per cwt) . 43/ 43/ Prime wethers .. 28/ to 34/ 28/6 to 30/ j Ewes 20/ to 26/6 21/6 to 23/ . Lambs 23/ to 31/ 18/ to 25/ Baconers 51/ to 67/ 76/ to 87/ Porkers 40/ to 52/ 64/ to .74/ Dairy cattle are still in keen request, 5 despite the fact that New Zealand butter i in London is down to 154/ (top price), 1 compared with 186/ a year ago, and cheese ] at 83/ to 86/, compared with 95/ to 99/ ; at this time last year. , , . J / Westfleld Sale. j At Westfield yesterday, entries of beef j cattle were smaller and' last week's j advance was easily maintained. Calves ■ were more plentiful, ' and values eased towards the close of the sale. Sheep and lambs were in normal supply, and sold at ' about late rates. There was keen competi- j taon for pigs, and a good clearance at high prices was effected. The range of prices, together with those ruling last week, was as follows: — This week. Last week. , BEEF (per 1001b)— "Extra choice ox 43/ 43/ Choice and prime ox 40/ to 42/ 40/ to 44/ Ch.oice and prime cow & heifer 37/ to 39/ 37/ to 39/ SHEEP (per head) — Prime wethers . 28/6 to 30/ 28/ to 29/ TJnfin. wethers . 22/6 to 24/9 22/6 to 24/9 Prime ewes .. 21/6 to 23/ 22/3 to 23/ Lambs .18/ to 25/ '24/ to 25/6 • CALVES (per head)— Runners ...... 90/ to 130/ 100/ to 145/, , Vealers 80/ to 114/ 90/ to 106/: • riGS (per head)— Baconers 76/ to 87/ 74/ to 86/ - Porkers: ...,.,. 64/ to74/ 62/ to 74/ Weaners ...... 12/ to 24/ 12/. to 22/ Slips 25/ to 34/ 28/ to 38/ Large stores . 36/ to 44/ 40/ to 45/