FAT STOCK MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 6, 8 January 1931, Page 4

FAT STOCK MARKET.

DOWNWARD TENDENCY.

EXPORT PRICE REDUCED

REFLEX ON THE INDUSTRY

The most significant move in the fat stock world this week has been the f.i in the prices of mutton and lamb on the hooks, announced by the Auckland 9*P olt buyers. Lamb has come down to oM a lb, and the farmer is going to get correspondingly less for his killing stock. Some of the farmers have preferred to ship on their own account, but it is debatable whether their net returns will be greater than the prices on the hooks at the Auckland works. , „ Despite the reduced prices, killing figures have not fallen, and there is a good demand from the exporters at the ruling ngure. Some 3000 sheep are killed daily at boutiidown, and 2000 at the other two works. Over 500 pigs are slaughtered each day. In reference to the London market ior New Zealand pig, it is stated by local dealers that the New Zealand raised animal is finding a good market at Smithfield and elsewhere. There is the right proportion of fat and lean, and the caicase is the shape required for bacon. Generally speaking, the quality or the lambs is .good, and is better than that of those brought to market earlier in the season. Recent fine weather lias given the grass more body, and the iambs have benefited. Earlier in the season, before the weather was properly "warm, the animals were inclined to be unfinished. Some sheep are going through with the lambs. In -fact, there are more than there were at this time last year. Reports from the Waikato and from Westfield slipw that values have eased generally, and that the market is weaker. It is possible that things have not yet got into their stride after the holidays, but the outlook at present is not bright. The absence of rain throughout the province, while at first a. good thing, is now making farmers anxious. are drying up, and stock is being sent into the market as early as possible. Beef is getting little attention at present,: buyers being interested in lamb in the main. At Westfield yesterday about 700 fat and boner cows were yarded, and the market was uniformly dull. An extra heavy entry of calves met with a slow sale for this time of the year, few vealers making over 50/. Medium vealers made 31/ to 45/. Fat sheep also showed a decline. Advice from Smithfield, dated January 1, states the' prices for sheep and lambs were generally steady, though if there was any change it was in a downward direction. For lambs the demand was quiet, and there was practically no interest in the old season's variety. Wethers were dull of sale, but the sale of ewes was quietly steady. Baconer pigs were selling at nominal prices. The following is a summary of the prices realised for fat stock for the last two Westfield stock sales, together with the latest quotations for New Zealand meat on the London Market; — Before the This week. holidays. BEEF (per 1001b)— Extra choice ox 28/ 31/ Choice and prime ox 24/ to 26/ 257 to 30/ Choice and prime cow and heifer 18/ to 26/ 22/ to 30/ Boner and rough 12/6 14/ to IS/ SHEEP (per head)— Prime wethers. 14/ to 17/9 14/ to 20/6 Unfln. wethers. 10/ to 12/ 10/ to 14/6 Prime ewes \.. -8/ to 11/ 9/to 11/ Unfinished ewes 5/ to 7/9 5/to 8/6 Prime lambs .. 10/6 to 17/6 13/ to 19/9 Unfinished lambs 6/6 to 9/9 7/to 12/6 CALVES (per head)— Runners 50/ to 110/ 70/ to 100/ Vealers 12/ to 60/ 17/ to 60/ PIGS (per head)—> i Baconers .49/ to 57/ 48/ to 63/ Porkers • 35/ to 48/ 30/ to 47/ Weaners 10/ to 19/ 12/ to 20/ Slips 15/ to 23/ 21/ to 27/ Large stores... 25/ to 30/ 28/ to 33/