IN THE WAIKATO.

Auckland Star, Issue 17, 21 January 1932, Page 4

IN THE WAIKATO.

(from Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Wednesday. This has been a most disappointing week for sheep farmers. First of all, the schedule for fat lambs was reduced by Ad per lb on lambs up to 361b, making a 4Vkl schedule. There is a good deal of uncertainty with regard to prospects in the meat export industry generally, and it would not be surprising to sec a drop in the schedule toi fat ewes. However, wethers appear to be scarce, and not many ol this class ot sheep are being frozen. The sales for store sheep, of which there will be a large number to change hands, commenced during the week, and prices were very disappointing. ihe first consignment of Gisborne sheep, although of good quality, met with a poor reception and. prices were not nearly as good as was anticipated. Most of the sheep farmers expected store lambs to be slightly better than last year, but this has not been the case. At some of the country sales quite satisfactory prices have been realised, but at l'ranktcvn the sales have not been so successful. The final blow was dealt at the wool sale held in Auckland this week, when prices were most disappointing, and if an improvement is not quickly effected, it will mean ruination to a large proportion of sheep farmers. Beef and mutton are also receding slightly in value, and in tho absence of anv export in beef, it is liable to go lower still. Conditions are as follow: — Beef. —Average yardings of beef are coming forward and if anything the price is easier; especially is this noticeable in cow beef, and it is difficult to estimate whcii the bottom has been reached. Best ox beef is worth 17/ to 18/ per 1001b; medium quality, 15/ to 16/; choice young cow and heifer, 16/ to 17/; medium cow, 12/ to 14/; plain cow beef, 8/ to 9/, and boner cows, 5/. Fat Sheep.—Although there was a fair entry of lat sheep at Frankton yesterday, prices showed a slight decline; especially was this noticeable in wethers. Only a few good quality ewes were penned, and these maintained late quotations. Export values for fat ewes work out about 6/ per head, and butchers' requirements are fulfilled at a little above these prices. Wethers for freezing are worth about 12/. but quotations for this class of sheep are not plentiful. Fat lambs also showed a decline in price, this being no doubt due to the drop in the freezing schedule. Prime fat wethers made up to 15/; medium. 13/ to 14/: light sheep, 12/ to 12/6: heavy prime fat ewes, up to 7/6; medium fat ewes, 6/ to 7/: heavy fat lambs, up to 14/; medium fat lambs, 10/ to 12/. Store Cattle.—There is practically no interest in this section and yardings are of little account. Unless a special entry of station-bred cattle comes forward, the usual offering consists of boner cows and oddments. The freezing values for boner cows are now 5/ per 1001b at the works, and at this figure, a cow is only worth from 10/ to 20/. Up to the present very few of this year's calves have come forward. but no doubt from now on more will be yarded. Grown steers, station-bred, in good store condition, are worth from £4 to £4 10/; three-year-old station-bred, from £3 10/ to £4; two-year-old station-bred. £2 5/ to £2 15/; Polled Angus and Hereford empty cows, from 35/ to £2 5/; two-year Hereford empty heifers, 30/ to £2; store cows," from £1 to 30/; 15-month Jersey heifers, from £3 10/ to £4; Jersey heifer calves, from £1 lo 30/. Store Sheep.—Although there is considerable activity in this section, prices arc anything but satisfactory, and there is a difference of opinion upon the prices that will bo ruling at tho coming fairs. During the next few weeks there will be a large influx of sheep from the Gisborne district and the indications seem to be that the prices will be on the low side. It looks as though five-year-old ewes will be worth about 6/ to 7/, and that four-year-old sheep will be about 8/ to 9/. A number of sheep farmers prefer the local ewes and no doubt these will hold a premium over the Gisborne sheep. Store lambs are now coming forward in large numbers, and as was anticipated arc being absorbed by the dairy farmers. However, there appears to be a shortage of store wethers, and very few of this class of sheep arc being offered. Good woolly store lambs arc worth 6/6 to 7/; smaller woolly lambs. 5/ to 6/; good shorn store lambs. 6/ to 6/(V medium. 4/ to 5/; with cull lambs from 2/6 to 4/. At the recent Waingaro fair store wethers were in keen demand and met with spirited competition. Best twotooths made from 9/ to 10/; four-tooths, from 11/ to 12/. Pigs.—Large yardings of all classes continue to conic forward and prices remain on a par with last week's quotations. Heavy baconers made up to 38/; medium, 30/ to 35/: heavy porkers, 25/ to 30/; medium, 21/ to 24/; good stores, 18/ to 22/; slips, 15/ to 18/; weaners, 8/ to 12/. MATAMATA. The Farmers' Auctioneering Company held their usual fortnightly stock sale at Matamata on Wednesday. There were heavy yardings of cattle and sheep, including several lines of store lambs. Competition was good and prices on a par with rates ruling elsewhere in the Waikato. Demand for fat cattle was poor, but although prices were low in all cases, vendors met the market. An extra heavy yarding of pigs, with a big majority of overweight baconers, came forward. Prices for fat pigs showed a decrease on late rates, especially for overweight baconers. Store pigs were in poor demand and prices were again easier. Quotations are:—; Cattle. —Heavy fat cows, £4 5/; medium fat cows, £2 5/ to £3 2/6; light fat cows, 30/ to £2; killable cows. 24/ to 30/; fresh store cows, 18/ to 23/; boners, 8/ to 10/: heavy potting bulls, £2 10/ to £3; light potting bnlls, 22/6 to £2; heifer calves, 15/. Pigs.—Heavy choppers, £1 17/ to £2 6/; light choppers, 10/ to £1 5/; overweight. baconers, 26/ to 30/; heavy baconers, 31/ to 35/; medium baconers, 30/ to 34/: light baconers and heavy porkers, 23/ to 28/: light porkers, 17/ to *21/; stores, 14/ to 17/; slips, 9/6 to 13/; weaners, 2/ to 6/. Sheep.—Fat ewes, 3/9 to 4/10; fat hoggets. 10/9; good store lambs, 4/4 to 5/4; medium store lambs, 3/6 to 4/; cull lambs, 1/6 to '2/8; store ewes, 1/6 to 2/1.