LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1934, Page 4

LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

SHEEP BOOM CONTINUES. STORE LAMBS AT HIGH PRICES. TIG SECTION ALSO BRISK. The position of the export stock markets has continued satisfactory since last report. The present and prospective demand in London for lambs is so good that export dealers have made a further advance in their schedule rates, and are now paying from 6d to 7d. The schedule for pigs has been lowered Vol per lb, but prospects for this class are on tlie whole quite good. In regard to dairy exports, tlie position has improved slightly. There was a sharp rise in butter values at the end of last week, but the advance was not fully maintained, and to-day's cables again indicate a dull market, but with quotations about 4/ per cwt higher than they were a week ago. Of conditions in the country our Waikato correspondent writes:— "There is still keen activity in the sheep section; local farmers have been busy getting their annual drafts of fat lambs away. The exporters have announced a further increase in the schedule, making it up to 7d per lb. "A very noticeable feature this year has been the absence of fat ewes. With the anticipated high price of breeding ewes sheepfarmers have retained every ewe that is capable of breeding another lamb. Also farmers have been watching the fat pens for any lines of suitable s'leep, and it is not uncommon to see a pen of ewes that usually goes to the butchers being knocked down to a local farmer. There have been some large yardings of store lambs; the quality "and condition of same have been excellent, and prices almost 100 per cent better than last year have been realised.

"Some big salts of breeding ewes are scheduled to take place during the coming week, and it will be interesting to see what the public value of this class of 6heep will be. So far practically no ewes of any account have been offered in the local sales, and prices have firmed so quickly in Gisborne that it is hard to value a young sheep to-day.

"In the cattle section beef still remains firm, and no doubt on account of the chilling operations it appears likely to hold throughout the autumn, and the price for winter cattle will probably be in advance of what farmers have received for the previous few years.

"Very little business has been done in store cattle other than boner cows and oddments, but no doubt a yarding of good station-bred cattle would meet with an excellent reception.

"In the pig section brisk business lias been done, and although the pork schedule has shown a decline during the week haconers have, if anything, improved." At Westfleld. There was an entry of 740 head of fat cattle at Westfield compared with C 65 head last week. Quality was well up to standard, and a good clearance was effected at late rates. Prime veal calves were again in short supply, and sold well. Both fat sheep and lambs had a ready sale at full late rates. Porkers were steady, and baconers realised higher prices. The range of prices, together with those ruling the previous week, was as follows:— This week. Last week. BEEF (per 1001b)— Extra choice ox 20/ 20/ Choice and prime ox 16/ to 19/ 17/ to 19/ Choice and prime cow and hedfer 16/ to 10/ 16/ to 19/ Boner and rough 12/ to 10/ 12/ to 16/ SHEEP (per head), Shorn— Prime wethers.. 21/Cto26/0 21/ to 26/ Unfln. wethers. . 18/ to 22/6 18/ to 22/6 Prime ewes ... 13/ to 18/9 13/ to 17/9 Unfln. ewes ... 7/6 to 14/0 7/9 to 14/0 Spring lambs .. 13/6 to 25/6 13/6 to 23/6 CALVES (per head)— Runners 35/ to 78/ 40/ to 76/ Vealers 20/ to 68,' 20/ to 58/ PIGS (per head) — Baconers 40/ to 62/ 41/ to 61/ Porkers 26/ to 41/ 28/ to 42/ Weaners 7/ to 15/ 5/ to 18/ Slips 14/ to 19/ 15/ to 21/ Large stores ... 20/ to 26/ 21/ to 30/ DALGETY AND COMPANY.

Dalgety and Company, Limited, reports

Beef.—We sold 201 head of beef, comprising 73 steers and 131 cows and heifers, against 21t5 head last week. The quality was well up to standard, and the ottering sold under a good demand at values very firm on late rates. Extra choice ox sold to 20/ per 1001b; choice and prime, 17/ to 19/; just killable, 14/ to 10/; prime young cow and heifer beef, 16/ to 19/; just killable, 12/ to 15/. Heavy prime steers, £0 15/ to £7 2/6; lighter prime, £5 10/ to £0 12/0; light prime, £4 12/6 to £5 7/6; small and unfinished, £2 7/6 to £4 10/; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £5 to £0, for cows and heifers on account of Mr. B. L. Orr, Ohinewai; heavy prime cows and heifers, £4 to £4 17/6; lighter prime, £3 to £3 17/6; other tillable cows, £1 15/ to £2 17/6. Sheep.—Sheep came forward in average numbers, and drew steady competition at values fully equal to last week's rates. Maiden four-tooth ewes, 23/ to 24/9; maiden six-tooth ewes, 20/6; extra heavy prime wethers, 25/ to 26/3; heavy prime, 24/ to 24/9; medium prime, 22/ to 23/9; light and unfinished, 21/ to 21/9; heavy prime ewes, 16/6 to 17/3; lighter prime, 14/9 to 16/3; other ewes, 12/6 to 14/6. Lambs.—Lambs were penned in full average numbers, and sold readily at full late rates. Heavy prime lambs, 18/6 to 21/6; medium, 10/9 to 17/9; light, 15/6 to 16/6. Calves. —Calves were penned in less than average numbers, the offering comprising few good- quality calves, values for which were a little better than last week. Plainer sorts sold at late rates. We did not offer any prime runners or heavy vealers. Medium vealers, £2 7/ to £2 15/; light, £1 15/ to £2 3/; small, £1 4/ to £1 10/; rough calves, 10/ to £13/; small and freshdropped, 3/ to 6/. Pigs.—Pigs were yarded in full numbers. The demand for baconers was keen, and values improved. Porkers sold steadily at late rates. Heavy baconers, £2 19/ to £3 1/; medium, £2 12/ to £2 15/; light, £2 5/ to £2 10/; heavy porkers, £1 18/ to £2 1/; medium, £1 15/ to £1 17/; light, £18/ to £1 14/.

ALFfRED BUCKLAND AND SONS. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Ltd., report::—:

Beef.—Our entry of fat cattle totalled 284 head, ae against 244 head at last week's market, comprising 144 steers and 140 cows and heifers. The quality of the ox beef was first-class, and sold under keen competition at full late rates. The major portion -of the cows and heifers were, of ordinary quality, and sold without alteration ,in value- Extra choice ox sold to £1 per 1001b; choice and prime, 17/ to 19/; secondary and plain, 15/ to 16/; prime young cow and heifer beef, 17/ to 10/; ordinary cow beef, 12/ to 16/; canners and boners, 7/ to 0/. Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £8 to £9, for steers from Mr. B. Reed, Waerenga. Heavy prime steers, £7 to £7 17/6; lighter prime, £5 15/ to £8 17/6; light prime, £4 to £5 12/6; small and unfinished, £3 to £3 17/6; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers. £5 to £5 15/; heavy prime, £4 to £4 17/6: lighter prime, £3 to £3 17/6; other killable cows, £1 10/, to £2 17/6. Sheep.—The sheep pens were well filled with a nice class of mutton. Competition was brisk throughout, and values remain very firm. (1702 sheep 601 d.) Extra heavy prime wethers, £1 5/6 to £1 6/9. for wethers from Mr. L. W. Keene, of Paerenga; heavy prime, £1 4/ to £1 5/3; medium to heavy prime, £1 3/ to £1 3/0; light to medium prime, £1 1/6 to £1 2/9; unfinished, 18/6 to £1 1/. Extra heavy prime young ewes, 17/ to 18/9, for ewes from Mr. L. W. Keene, of Paerenga; heavy prime, 15/9 to' 16/9; lighter prime, 14/ to 15/3; other killable ewes, 12/6 to 13/9; other ewes, 9/ to 11/6; young breeding ewes, £1 3/ to £1 4/.

Lambs.—A small yarding, comprising 494 lambs, again 60ld readily at fully last week's prices. Extra heavy prime lambs, £1 3/ to £1 5/6, for a pen from Mr. R. Dalzcll, Waiuku; heavy prime, £1 0/6 to £1 2/; lighter prime, 17/6 to 19/6; light prime, 16/ to 17/; small and plain, 13/6 to 15/; store lambs, 9/ to 11/.

Calves. —Calves were again in short supply. The quality was not up to our usual standard, and prices were hardly as good as last week's. No prime runners were offered. Medium sorts made £1 15/ to £2 12/; medium vealers, £2 8/ to £2 12/; light, £1 13/ to £2; small, £1 1/ to £1 7/; unfinished and bucket-fed, 8/ to 15/; bobby calves. 2/ to 6/. A total of 155 calves was sold.

Pigs.—There was a good offering of fat pigs. Values were slightly lower for porkers, but shewed an increase for all prime pigs of bacon weights. Choppers realised £1 5/ to £2 13/; heavy prime baconers, £2 19/ to £3 2/: medium, £2 13/ to £2 16/; light, £2 5/ to £2 10/; heavy porkers, £2 to £2 2/; medium, £1 .1.5/ to £1 17/; light, £1 11/ to £1 13/; small and unfinished. £1 6/ to £1 10/. Large stores are still wanted, but the demand eased for weaners. Medium stores, £1 3/ to £1 6/; slips, 16/ to i 9/; best weaners, 13/ to 15/; smaller, 8/ to 11/; weedy, 4/ to 7/. A total of 612 pigs was sold.

LOAN AND MERCANTILE. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., report:— Beef.—Beef was penned to tbe number of 101 steers and 152 cows and heifers. There was a steady demand, with values firm at late quotations. Extra choice ox sold to 20/ per 1001b; choice and prime, 16/ to 10/; ordinary and plain, 13/ to 15/; prime young cow and heifer beef, 16/ to 19/; ordinary cow beef, 12/ to 15/; no extra heavy prime steers were penned; heavy prime, £7 to £8; lighter prime, £0 to £6 17/0; light prime,, £5 to £5 17/6; unfinished and small, £3 to £4 15/; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £5 to £5 10/; heavy prime, £4 to £4 17/0; lighter, £3 5/ to £3 17/6; light cows, £2 10/ to £3 2/6; other cows, £1 5/ to £2 7/6. Sheep.—Sheep were yarded in large numbers, 1502 being penned. Competition was steady throughout, with values very firm at late rates for both prime and store sheep. Heavy prime wethers, £1 5/6 to £1 6/6; medium prime, £1 4/ to £] 5/3; light prime, £1 3/ to £1 3/9; small and unfinished, 18/ to £1 2/6. Heavy prime ewes, 16/ to 17/6; medium prime, 14/9 to 15/9; light prime, 13/ to 14/6; iaferiorly fatted, 7/6 to 12/. Lambs. —Lambs were penned in average numbers (610 penned), with values improving on last week's sales. Store lambs sold at late values. Heavy prime, £1 1/6 to £1 3/; medium prime, 19/ to £1 1/3; light prime, 15/9 to 18/; unfinished, best, 13/ to 15/6; others, 10/ to 12/9. Pigs.—Pigs penned to the number of 378. There was a steady demand, with values about the same as last week. Choppers sold from £2 5/ to £2 15/; heavy and medium baconers, £2 10/ to £3; light baconers and heavy porkers, £2 to £2 9/: medium porkers and light porkers, £1 6/ to £1 18/. Store pigs in average numbers also sold at late values. Large stores, £1 to £1 5/; slips, 14/ to 19/; weaners, 8/ to 13/. Calves.—Calves were penned to the number of 175. There was an improved demand, and all good quality calves were better in values:—Runners, £2 to £3 18/; heavy vealers, £3 to £3 8/; medium, £2 5/ to £2 19/; light, £1 12/ to £2 4/; smaller, £1 to £1 10/; small and freshdropped, 3/ to IS/; rough calves, 15/ to £1 "/.

THE ADDINGTON MARKET. STORE SHEEP IN DEMAND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. Continued interest in the store eheep sections at the Addington market to-day saw values tinner for all classes.

Store Sheep.—A representative yardinc included several station lines. Young and good sound-mouthed ewes were in keen demand at an advance of 1/ to 2/. Values were: Good two-tooth Corriedale ewes, 27/ to 28/9; medium two-tooth half bred, 23/6 to 25/4; inferior, to 18/; good four-year-old Corriedale, 20/ to 23/6; eoundmouth halfbred, 16/ to 18/;' sound and failing-mouth, 12/ to 15/; aged, 9/ to 11/6; forward halfbred wethers, 19/ to 20/7; Merino, to 8/6.

Store Lambs. —There was a big yarding of mixed quality, including a number of good station lines. Prices were very firm. Buyers have established a definite basis of values, and are holding to it. Values were: Good rape, to 18/3; medium, 16/ to 17/6; ordinary, 14/ to 15/6; small, 10/ to 13/; good ewe lambs, 17/9 to 19/4.

Fat Lambs. —An entry of 2000 head met with a keen sale. The increased export schedule and keen butchers' competition forced values for prime light-weights up 1/. Values were: Extra prime, to 26/4; prime, 21/ to 23/6; medium, 18/ to 20/6; light, 15/ to 17/6.

Fat Sheep.—The entry consisted of 3600 head. There was a good demand for prime light-weight ewes and wethers, but at unchanged prices. Heavy ewes were 1/ cheaper. Exporters helped to sustain the market. Values were: Extra prime heavy wethers, to 33/7; prime heavy, 26/ to 29/; prime medium-weight, 23/6 to 25/6; ordinary quality, 21/ to 23/; light, 18/ to 20/6; extra prime heavy ewes, to 26/; prime heavy, 22/6 to 25/; prime mediumweight, 18/6 to 22/; ordinary quality, 16/ to 19/; light, 12/6 to 15/6.

Fat Cattle.—There was an entry of 450 head, including a number of lines of good steers. The market was erratic throughout, and weaker. Best beef made from 24/ to 26/ per 1001b; good, 18/ to 20/; heavyrweight, 16/ to 18/6; medium, to 15/6; rough, 9/ to 13/. Values were: Extra prime heavy, to £11 7/6; prime heavy, £8 10/ to £9 17/6; prime medium-weight, £8 to £9 15/; ordinary quality, £5 to £7; light, £3 10/ to £4 15/; extra prime heifers, £7 2/6; prime, £4 to £6; medium, £2 10/ to £3 15/; light, to £2 10/; extra prime cows, to £7 12/6; prime, £3 10/ to £5 5/; medium, £2 5/ to £3 5/; light, to £2.

Fat Pigs.—There was a medium entry. Pork was a little easier. Bacon sold firmly, but little was purchased for export. Values were: Choppers, 30/ to £3 13/6; baconers, 45/6 to 54/6; heavy, 58/6 to £3 5/6; extra, to £3 16/6; average price per lb, 4%d to sVid; porkers, 28/0 to 32/6; heavy, 34/6 to 38/6; average price per lb, 5d to 5%d.

LAMB VALUES FIRM. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PUKEKOHE, Wednesday. Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., held their first lamb and wether fair of the season at Tuakau yesterday. There was a penning of over 4000 lambs, but only three pens of wethers. The demand throughout the sale was good,, while values were about the same as at recent sales. Two and four-tooth wethers were sold at from £1 2/ to £1 4/; fat hoggets, £1 4/; best wether lambs, 15/3 to 16/9; good wether lambs, 12/6 to 15/; smaller, 10/ to 12/3; cull-wether-lambsj 6/3 to 9/. Corriedale woolly ewe lambs sold at from 14/6 to 16/3; good ewe lambs, 14/ to 15/6; smaller, 11/ to 13/9; culls, 7/9 to 10/. Several pens of good Southdown rams sold at from 2% guineas up to 4% guineas.