LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 4

LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

STORE SHEEP IMPROVE. GOOD DEMAND IN SOUTH. CATTLE HARD TO SELL. Despite the continuance of exceedingly low orices for meat on the British market the pastoral industry in the Dominion has shown a definite revival during the last few weeks. The improved outlook for wool is doubtless a chief factor in the changed attitude of buyers. According to the Christchurch "Press" the Waiau ewe fair on Tuesday of last week marked the turning point in values of breeding sheep, as it was the first real indication of the revival in the demand for them. However, there was just a shade of uncertainty as to whether the advance in prices was of a permanent nature; but all doubts were set at rest at the Culverden ewe fair Held on Thursday, when values for the younger sheep recorded an advance of from 3/ to 4/6 a head as compared with the Hawarden fair the previous week. The entry totalled 25,000, and top price, 18/, was secured for a line of 65 two-tooth Corriedales. The highest for four-year ewes was also realised for a line of Corriedales, which brought 11/. Average twotooth Corriedales brought 13/ to 14/6, and halfbreds 12/ to 14/6.

Despite the improvement noted there is a tremendous discrepancy between the latest values and those of a year ago. Two-tooth ewes from the vendor, who secured 18/, realised last year 30/3, while 11/ for four-tooths, compared with 25/6 a' the same fair last year. The following day the annual ram and ewe fair was held at Methven. Here, too, an excellent clearance was effected and a new record of values for fine woolled sheep so far this season was established. The outstanding feature of this sale was a lino of 206 two-tooth Corriedales, which made 19/6, the highest price of the season. To a lesser degree this improvement in the market for store sheep has been apparent at recent sales in this province, and it is to be hoped that purchasers will be justified by an upward trend in the market "or meat as well as for wool. Latest cables from SmithfieV.l indicate some improvement in the demand for mutton, lamb and pork. The weakest feature at the moment appears to be beef cattle. Export values are so low that farmers will naturally hold so long as they have feed to spare in the hope that the market will improve. Some slight compenstion for the poor values of boner beef is provided in the better prices now available for hides. Fat Stock at Westfield. There was an average yarding of fat cattle at AVestfield yesterday. Quality generally was first class, but competition was weak, and vendors had to accept lower rates. A smaller entry of good quality calves saw prices improve. A large entry of sheep changed hands at last week's rates, and fat lambs also maintained late values. Store pigs were rather dull, but fats, both porkers and baconers, found ready sale at late quotations. The range of prices, togetlier with those ruling the previous week, was as follows:— , Tllis week. Last week. BEEF (per 1001b) — Extra choice ox 24/ 26/ Choice and prime ox .. 19/ t0123/ 20/ to 24/ Choice and prime cow & heifer 16/ to 23/ 17/ to 25/ Boner and rough 10/ to 14/ 10/ to 16/ SHEEP (per head)— Prime wethers.. 11/ to 15/ 10/6 to 14/ Unhn. wethers. 7/ to 10/6 7/ to 9/6 Prime ewes ... 5/6 to 8/9 5/6 to 7/9 Unfinished ewes 3/ to 5/ 3/3 to 4/6 Prime lambs . . 8/9 to 16/ 9/ to 16/3 Unfinished lambs 4/ to 7/6 3/6 to 8/6 CALVES (perhead) — Runners 55/ to 70/ .39/ to 71/ ljn<f ''k •••,; 25/ toso/ lg / to4l / PIGS (per head) — Baconers 42/ to 56/ 40/ to 54/ Powers 25/ to 40/ 20/ to 39/ Weaners 4/ to 8/ 5/ toll/ Slips 8/6 to 14/ 12/ to 16/ Large stores .. 14/6 to 21/ 18/ to 23/ DALGETY AND COMPANY.

Dalgety and Company, Limited, report on the weekly Westfield fat stock sale held yesterday as follows:— Beef.—We offered ox beef in more than usual numbers. The quality was firstclass, but late rates were not maintained. Cow and heifer beef also came forward in larger numbers than last week and values were easier. Extra choice ox sold to 24/ per 1001b; choice and prime, 21/ to 23/; just killable, 18/ to 20/; prime young cow and heifer, 21/ to 23/; just killable, 20/. Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £9 15/ to £10; heavy, £8 15/ to £9 12/6; lighter, £7 10/ to £8 12/6; light, £6 5/ to £7 7/6; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £6 2/6 to £6 15/; heavy, £5 to £6; lighter, £4 to £4 17/6; other killable cows, £2 to £3 17/6. Sheep.—Sheep again came forward in large numbers and included a fair number of plain and store lines. Competition for all prime lines was good and values remained firm at late rates. Extra heavy prime wethers made 13/6 to 13/9*; heavy prime, 12/6 to 13/3; medium, 11/6 to 12/3; light and unfinished, 10/6 to 11/3; heavy ewes, 7/9 to 8/9; lighter, 6/9 to 7/6; other ewes, 4/6 to 6/6. Lambs. —Lambs were offered in average numbers and soldSsteadily at full late rates. Heavy prime lamb, 12/6 to 13/; medium, 11/ to 12/3; light, 8/ to 10/9. Calves, —A smaller yarding of calves was offered at to-day's market and prices for light and medium vealers showed a slight improvement on those ruling last week. All other classes were firm at late rates. Runners, £1 18/ to £3 5/; heavy vealers, £1 17/ to £2; medium, £1 11/ to £1 16/; light, £1 4/ to £1 10/; rough, 12/ to £1; small, 5/ to 9/. Pigs.—A heavier offering of pigs was yarded to-day. Prices for good quality pigs were firm to slightly better, while unfinished and inferior quality pigs were dull of sale. Choppers, up to £3 5/; heavy baconers, £2 10/ to £2 15/; medium, £2 4/ to £2 9/; light, £1 15/ to £2 3/; heavy porkers, £1 16/ to £1 19/; medium, £1 12/ to £1 15/; light, £1 8/ to £1 11/; stores, 18/ to £1 3/; slips, 12/ to 14/; weaners, 5/ to 10/.

LOAN AND MERCANTILE. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, reports on the 1 weekly Westfield fat stock sale held ' yesterday, as follows: — " Beef.—Beef was penned in large num- ; bers. There was no improvement in the 1 demand and values receded on late quota--1 tions. Extra choice ox sold to £14/ per 1 1001b; choice and prime ox, £1 to £13/; ordinary and plain ox, 17/ to 19/6 prime young cow and heifer beef, £1 to £13/; ordinary cow beef, 14/ to 19/; heavy prime steers, £8 to £8 17/6; lighter prime steers, £7 to £7 17/6; light prime steers, £6 to £6 17/6; unfinished and small, £5 to £5 15/; heavy prime young cows and heifers, £6 to £7 2/6; lighter, £5 to £o 15/; light cows, £4 to £4 17/6; other cows, £2 10/ to £3 15/. Sheep.—Sheep were yarded in average numbers, there was a steady demand, with values verv firm at late rates. Prime wethers, 10/6 to 14/6; unfinished, 7/ to 9/9; prime ewes, 6/ to 7/9; inferior ewes, 2/6 to 5/9. . , Lambs. —Lambs were penned in large numbers, including many unfinished. Prime lambs sold at late values at from 9/ to 115/9. Unfinished lambs were easier in value, selling at from 3/ to 8/6. Pigs.—Pigs were penned in average numbers. Competition was keen and values ; I were firm at late quotations. Choppers 1 I sold from £2 to £2 16/; heavy and j medium baconers, £2 8/ to £2 16/; light baconers and heavy porkers, £2 to £2 6/; (medium and light porkers, £1 10/ to £1 118/; small and unfinished porkers, £1 to | £1 8/. Store pigs were easier in value. Large stores, 15/ to £1; slips, 8/ to 11'; wean erg, 4/ to 8/. Calves.—Calves were penned in less ..than average numbers. Values firmed on last week's quotations. There was a good demand' for light vealers. Runners, £2' 10/ to £3 7/; heavy vealers, £2 10/ to

£3 9/ for an extra choice vealf.r; meJium, £1 18/ to £2 8/; light, £1 10/ to £1 16/; smaller, £1 to £1 8/; small and fresh dropped, 5/ to 16/; rough calves, 10/ to £1 5/.

ALFRED BUCKLAND AND SONS. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Ltd., report on the weekly Westfield fat stock sale held yesterday as follows: — Beef.—Our supply of fat cattle numbered 385 head, as against 378 head at last week's market, comprising 240 steers and 145 cows and heifers. The quality generally was first-class. There was not a keen demand and values receded for all classes, heavy cattle suffering most. Extra choice ox sold to £14/ per 1001b; choice and prime, £1 to £1 3/; secondary and plain, 17/6 to 19/; prime young cow and heifer, £1 to £1 3/; ordinary cow, 10/ to 19/. Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £9 to £9 10/; heavy, £8 to £8 17/6; lighter, £7 to £7 17/6; light, £5 10/ to £6 17/6; small and unfinished, £3 10/ to £5 5/; extra heavy prime young oows and heifers, £6 to £6 17/6; heavy prime cows and heifers, £4 10/ to £5 17/6; lighter, £3 to £4 7/6; other killable cows, £2 to £2 17/6. Sheep.—There was a heavy xarding of sheep and a good demand. The advance recorded last week was easily sustained (2049 sheep sold). Extra heavy prime wethers, 14/ to 15/; heavy prime, 12/6 to 13/'9; medium to heavy, 11/ to 12/3: light to medium, 10/ to 10/9; unfiriishe i. 7/ to 9/6; extra heavy prime young ewes, 7/3 to 8/9; heavy prime, 6/ to 7/; lighter, 5/ to V 9; others, 3/3 to 5/9. Lambs—Lambs were penned to the number of 1218 and sold steadily througaout. Extra heavy prime lambs, 14/ to 16/; heavy, 12/6 to 13/9; lighter, 10/6 to 12/3; light, 8/6 to 10/; small and plain, 4/ to 7/6. c Calves.—We had a smaller entry oE calves. There was a shortage of good quality vealers, and thoee offered drew good competition ai.d sold at improved rates. Runners made £2 15/ to ho 10/, heavy vealers, £2 5/.to £2 10/; £1 14/ to £2 2/; small and light, £12/ to £1 11/; rough calves, 8/ to lb/, fresh dropped, 2/ to 8/ (158 calves weie S °Pigs —An average number of fat pigs were penned. All classes met with steady ■bidding and sold readily at fully late quotations. Choppers made £2 s'to £3 10/, accordmg; to. weight. heavy 1 baconers, W to '' ' t £2 pigs were sold).

IN THE WAIKATO. SLUMP IN CATTLE PRICES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Wednesday. The advance in markSVrttsts clip'e w^ssr,s§s have had their rams out for the oe petition, ine rise j number being tained, and with the g , ifc i oo ks consumed by count , f ur ther increase S A « BKSSBg&ftg On°til"?nm b e Uy of'^heTerfcJ be cleared - though "they will not meet with a very good reception. Quotations are as f ° Beef—Some exceptionally good fat biilSi hSdlyJeached KSrSSSS? £

Sheep —The market for fat sheep was again steady, although hardly as good 1S the previous week. From now on fat sheep will be in short supply, and no doubt this will have a reflection in the fc' -th«r S Best fat wethers made UP to 12/6; medium, 10/ to 11/, P rin ?® heavy fat ewes, 6/6 to 7/3; medium, 5/ to 6/- best fat lambs, up to 13/; medium, 10/ to' 12/; small, 8/ to 9/* . , Store Cattle.—The first consignment of cattle from the Gisborne district were yarded at Frankton this week. They arrived in good order, and were of good qualitv, and although the vendors met the market the prices realised looked paiticularly tempting. A better inquiry has set in for calf heifers, and Jersey weaner heifers are also in demand. Store cows appear to be neglected. 2Vz to 3^ -year-old steers have been making from £3 10/ £ to £4; 18-month steers, from £2 10/ to i.4, good steer calves, £1 to 25/; best weaner heifer calves, £2 to £2 15/, medium, 35/ to £2; store cows, 30/ to £ 2; two-year-old Jersey heifers, £6 10/ to £7 10/; medium, £5 to £6. Store Sheep.—The demand for store sheep still kolds good, and it is wonderful the number of breeding ewes from outside districts that have been consumed in the Waikato this season. There is also a better inquiry for wethers, and no doubt the-price for this class of sheep will have a hardening tendency. The store lamb business is about over, and very tew an being yarded, although the price shows an improvement from whajt it was a week or two ago. Best two-tooth ewes have been making from 13/ to 14/; medium, 10/ to 12'; small, 9/ to 10/; four and six-year-old ewes, 9/ to 10/ four and five-year-old ewes, 7/ to 8/; five-year-old, 6/ to 7/; aged ewes, 4/ to 5/; best woolly lambs, up to 6/; good shorn store lambs, 4/6 to 5/6; medium lambs, 3/ to 4/. Pigs.—Large entries of fat pigs are coming forward, and prices are much the same as previous quotations. Heavy baconers have been making from £2 5/ to £2 12/; heavy porkers, from 35/ to £2; stores, from 25/ to 30/; slips, 10/ to 15/; weaners, 5/ to 10/.

MATAMATA. The Farmers' Auctioneering Company i held their usual fortnightly etock sale at Matamata on Wednesday, when there was a good yarding of cattle, a medium yard- • ing of sheep, and a full yarding of fat 1 and store pigs, a total of 548 coming forward, all being cleared under keen competition from a full bench of buyers. Values were on a par with late rates. Cattle: Prime fat cows. £5 17/6; heavy fat cows, £3 1/ to £3 7/; light fat cows, £2 9/ to £3 1/; store cows, £1 to 30/; potting bulls. £2 10/ to £2 19/; yearling Holstein heifers, 15/; Jersey heifers, £1 to 25/. Pigs: Heavy baconers, £2 3/ to £2 10/* medium baconers,* £2 2/ to £2 6/; light baconers, 38/ to £2 l/; heavy porkers. 27/ to 33/; stores, 18/ to 25/; slins, 10/ to 16/; weaners, 7/6 to 11/; heavy choppers, £2 5/ to £2 11/; light choppers, £1 5/ to £1 17/. Sheep: Fat lr nbs, 10/6: fat forward lambs, 5/ to 7/3; ewe lambs, 6/11; wether lambe. 6/10; store lambs, 3/ to 5/; Southdown rams, 1 to 1%, guineas. HAWKE'S BAY VALUES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HASTINGS, this day. i At the weekly sale at Stortford Lodge y; - 1 jrday there was a good yarding of beef, mostly cattle. No store cattle were yarded. There was a small yarding of sheep. Fats and stores sold at late rates. Following is the range of prices. Fat bullocks, prime, £7 to £8; light, £5 10/ to £6 10/; fat cows, prime, £6 to £6 14'- medium, £4 to £5 5/; fat heifers, light, £4 to £5; fat wethers, B'6 to 12/; fat ewes, prime. 7/6 to 10/6; fat lambs, good, 9/ to 12/; medium, 7/ to 9/6; four and six-tootli* wethers, 5/ to 71; forward lam' >, to 7/.