LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1934, Page 4

LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

BEEF PRICES RISE. SHEEP IN KEEN DtMAND, LAMB EXPORT SCHEDULE HIGHER In the export marke's the chief altera tion since last review has been a slight but definite improvement in butter, which ia now selling up to 72/ per cwt it London. Conditions at Smithfield continue satisfactory, with consumption well maintained at a reasonable level of prices. Production throughout the province if unusually high, the rains last week having given pastures a fresh lease of life. The returns from dairy factories in the province show that increased output, plue the exchange advantage, is enabling many farmers to obtain payments quite equai to last year's, despite the present low price of butterfat. The freezing works are still busy handling fair quantities of lamb, sheep cattle, both ox and boner, and pigs. The general market tone continues good, except for young dairy cattle. Of conditions in the country, om Waikato correspondent writes as follows: — "There appears to be very little slackening in the sheep sections. Large fairs have been held during the week, and these have been well patronised Although the indications are for an easing tendency, good sheep never fail to realise satisfactory prices. In the King Country good fail's have been held, and prices have been well above ruling Waikato values. A very large number of sheep have been handled throughout the Waikato, and from advice to hand it would appear that further supplies will still be available. The further rise in the fat lamb schedule during the week came as an unexpected surprise, and this, together with the hardening in fat ewes, has had the effect of improving the sale of local sheep. Fat lambs are now being bought by exporters on a 7'id schedule, but the majority of grass lambs will not be ready for another few weeks. "In the cattle section a keen inquiry has developed for store cattle. There appears every possibility of a shortage of beef in the very near future, and with the recent rains and the abundance of feed everywhere, farm ere are looking round for cattle to keep the growth in check. At the present moment it looks as though store cattle also might be in short supply, but when the price of any class of stock goes unreasonably- high, it is surprising where the supply comes from. This will no doubt apply to store cattle, and although the prospects of getting any from the East Coast do not at the present time look bright, no doubt if the price increases sufficiently large numbers will find their way on to the market. "In the pig section business has again been brisk, and there is a strong inquiry for all classes of bacon pigs. Porkers, however, appear to be losing their popularity, and the schedule for this class of pig has shown a decline." At Westfieltf. There was another comparatively small yarding of beef cattle at Westfield yesterday, the entry totalling 503 head compared with 472 last week. Competition was again keen, and values improved further by 15/ to £1 per head. Calves also had a better sale. Fat sheep and lambs again met spirited bidding, and values were firm at full late rates. Pigs, both porkers and baconere, had a good sale. The range of prices, together with those ruling the previous week, was as follows: — This Week. Last Week. BEEF (per 1001b)— Extra choice ox . 24/ 22/ Choice and prime ox 20/ to 23/ 17/ to 21/ Choice and prime cow and heifer IS/ to 23/ 17/ to-1/ Boner and rough 12/ to 10/ 10/ to IS/ SHEEP (per head)— Prime wethers . 23/ to 30/ 23/ to 29/3 Uniin. wethers . 17/6 to 23/ IS/ to '-2,9 Prime ewes .... 14/ to 10/0 13/ to-0/0 Unfinished ewes 10/ to 15/6 0/ to 14/0 Prime lambs ... 16/ to-8/6 14/ to 2,»/3 Unfinished lambs 8/6 to 10/ 9/ to 15/ CALVES (per head)— RunDers 40/ to 71/ 35/ to 6S/ Vealers 20/ to 61/ 20/ to u5/ PIGS (per head)— Baconers 40/ to 79/ 40/ to 18/ PorUers 22/ to 40/ .8/ to 4-/ Weaners 5/ to 12/ o/ to 14/ Slips 12/ to 21/ 12/ to -1/ Large stores .... UO/ to 28/ -'->/ to 29/

ALFRED BUCKLAND AND SONS. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Limited, * report:— Beef.—Our supply of beef numbered 265, as against 196 head at last Wednesday's sale, comprising 119 steers and 146 cows and heifers. Competition was extra keen, i with a further advance in values. Extra * choice ox sold to £14/ per 1001b; choice and prime, £1 to £1 3/; secondary and plain, 17/ to £1; prime young cow and heifer beef, 18/ to £1 1/; ordinary cowbeef, 12/ to 17/; boners and canners, 7/ to 10/. Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £9 15/ to £10 10/, for steers from Mr. B. Reed, of Waerenga. Thirteen steers from Mr. B. Reed averaged £9 10/11. Heavy prime, £3 10/ to £9 12/6; lighter prime, £7 to £8 7/6; light prime, £5 15/ to £6 17/6; small and unfinished, £4 10/ to £5 12/6. Extra heavy prime 'oung cows and heifers, £5 10/ to £6; heavy prime, £4 10/ to £5 7/6; lighter prime, £3 10/ to £4 7/6; other tillable cows, £1 10/ to £3 7/8. . Sheep.—Sheep came forward in in--creased numbers and met with a ready | sale, all classes selling freely at recent ) advanced values (17P2 sheep sold). Extra j heavy prime wethers, £1 9/ to _£1 10/, for wethers from "South Head," Kaipara; heavy prime, £1 7/ to £1 8/9; medium to \ heavy prime, £1 5/6 to £1 6/9; light to medium prime, £14/ to £1 5/3; un- ) finished, 17/6 to £13/; 155 wethers from ) "South Head" averaged £1 9/6. Extra heavy prime young ewes, 18/ to 19/9; > heavy prime, 16/6 to 17/9; lighter prime, 15/ to 16/3; other ki liable ewes, 12/6 to > 14/9; other ewes, 10/ to 12/3. Lambs.—The 547 lambs penned sold at ) slightly higher rates. Extra heavy prime lambs, £1 3/ to £1 4/6: heavy prime, | £1 1/ to £1 2/9; lighter prime, 19/ to £1 ' 0/9; light prime, 17/ to 18/9; small and plain, 12/6 to 16/. Calves.—Our offering of calves was smaller than last week's, good quality sorts being scarce. The demand was keen '.and prices improved. Runners made £2 . 2/ to £3 11/; heavy vealers, £2 15/ to £3 1/; medium, £2 5/ to £2 10/: light, £1 15/ to £2; small, £1 2/ to £1 9/; unfinished and bucket-fed, 12/ to 19/; bobby calves, 3/ to 7/ (a total of 159 calve# was sold). ... Pics. —Pigs were also penned in less numbers. Bidding was again spirited for all prime baconers, while porkers also sold readily at last sale's rates. Choppers realised £2 to £3 11/, according to weight; extra prime baconers, £3 12/ to £3 19'; medium, £3 to £3 5/; light, £2 10/ to £2 14/; heavy porkers. £1 18/ to £2; medium. £1 12/ to £1 14/; light. £1 8/ to £1 11/; small and unfinished. £1 4/ to £1 7/. No large stores were offered. Medium made up to £1; slips, 12/ to 14/; good weaners. 8/ to 10/; weedy, 3/ to 6/ (a total of 314 pigs was sold). LOAN AND MERCANTILE. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, Company, Limited, report: — Beef. —We penned beef to the number of 118 head, a small yarding. Competition was again keen, .with values again improving 15/ to £1 per head. Extra choice ox sold to £14/ per 1001b; choice and prime, £1 to £1 3/; ordinary and plain, 16/ to 19/; prime young cow and heifer beef. 19/ to £1 3/: ordinary cow beef. 14/ to 18/. Heavy prime steers. £7 10/ to £8 5/; lighter prime, £6 17/6 to £7 7/6; light prime, £6 to £6 15/; unfinished and small, £4 5/ to £5 17/6: extra heavy prime young cows and heifers. £6 to £6 10/; heavy prime, £5 to £5 17/6: lighter. £4 to £4 7/6: light, £2 12/6 to £3 17/6; other cows, £1 10/ to £2 10/.

Slieep.—Sheep were yarded in smaller 1 numbers than usual (730 penned) and sold readily, values being very firm at late rates. Heavy prime wethers, £1 7/0 to £L S/6; medium prime, £1 6/ to £1 7/3; light prime, £1 3/ to £1 5/9; small and unfinished, IS/ to £1 2/6. Heavy prime ewes, 18/ to 19/3; medium prime, 1(5/ to 17/9; light prime, 14/ to 15/9; inferiorly tatted ewes, 4/ upward. Lambs.—Lambs were penned to the I number of 094. Here again there was a ready demand, with values slightly better on last week's sales. Extra heavy prime, £1 6/li to £ 1 8/6; heavy prime, £13/ to £ l 5/0; medium prime, £1 to £1 2/9; light prime, 10/ to 17/9; unfinished, best, 12/ to 15/; others, 8/6 to 11/9. Pigs.—Pigs were penned to the number of 288. There was no alteration, values being on a par with last week's quotations. Choppers sold from £2 to £3 1/; heavy and medium bat-oners, £3 S/ to £3 12/; light but-oneis and heavy porkers, £2 !to £2 16/; medium porkers and light porkers, £1 10/ to £1 10/; small, £1 5/ to £ 1 9/. Store pigs were easier in values. Large stoics, £1 2/ to £1 8/'; slips. 15/ to £l 1/; weaners, 5/ to 12/. Calves.—l7o calves were penned. Values were firm on last week's quotations. Runnel's, £2 to £3 6/; heavy vealers. £2 10/ to £2 18/; medium, £1 18/ to £2 8/; light, £1 10/ to £1 16/; smaller, £1 to £1 8/; small and fresh-dropped. 3/ to 18/; rough calves, 5/ to 10/. DALGETY AND COMPANY. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report: Beef.—We yarded 120 head of beef, comprising 50 ox and 70 cows and heifers, against 172 head last week. The ottering was fully up to standard, and sold under a keen demand at values improved 2/ per 11001b. We yarded no extra heavy bullocks. An entry of 40 prime medium-weight steers sold on account Messrs. Holdsworth Bros., Whakatane, averaged £7 6/. Extra choice ox sold to 24/ per 1001b; choice and prime, 21/ to 23/; just killable, 19/ to 20/; prime young cow and heifer beef. 20/ to 22/; just killable, 14/ to 19/. Heavy prime steers, £8 to £8 5/, for steers from llr. W. McLaughlin, Puhinui; lighter prime, _£7 to £7 17/6; light prime, £6 to_£o 17/6; small and unfinished, £5 to £5 17/6; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £0 to £6 7/6, for heifers sold account of Mr. B. L. Orr, Ohinewai; heavy prime, _£5 to £5 17/6; lighter prime, £4 to £4 17/6; other killable cows, £2 to £3 17/6. Sheep.—Sheep were penned in average numbers, and sold under steady competition at values firm at late rates. Extra heavy prime wethers, 27/6 to 28/9; heavy prime, 25/ to 27/; medium prime, 23/ to 24/9; light and unfinished, 19/6 to 22/9; heavy prime ewes, 18/3 to 19/6; lighter prime, 16/ to 18/; other ewes, 12/ to 15/6. Lambs. —Lambs came forward in average numbers and sold steadily at improved rates. Royal Show exhibit iat lambs sold on account of estate of J. H. Earle, realised 24/. Heavy prime lambs, 22/9 to 24/; medium, 20/6 to 22/6; light, 18/6 to 20/. . Calves. —Calves were yarded in average numbers. The demand was keen and values for all classes improved on last week's quotations. Medium runners, £2 to £2 15/; heavy vealers. £2 15/ to £3; medium, £2 4/ to £2 11/; light, £1 15/ to £2 ; small, £1 2/ to £1 10/; rough calves, 10/ to £1 6/; small and freshdropped, 3/ to 0/. Pigs.—Pigs were yarded in well up to average numbers. Competition for baconers was keen and good quality sold firmly at late rates, l'orkers were firm at late rates. Choppers, £1 15/ to £2 8/; heavy baconers, £3 11/ to £3 18/; medium, £3 to £3 4/; light. £2 9/ to £2 14/; heavy porkers, £1 18/ to £2; medium, £1 12/ to £1 14/; light, £1 2/ to £1 7/ THE ADDINGTON MARKET. ALL SECTIONS FIRM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. There was a firm sale" in all main sections at the Addingtou market to-day. Store Sheep—There was a smaller yarding. the quality being very mixed and unattractive, old ewes predominating. Firstgrade North Island two-tooth Romneys sold from 30/ to 32/3. Good two-tooth Romnev ewes, 30/ to 32/3; medium lour and six-tooth crossbred, to 24/6; medium two-tooth lialfbred, 28/ to 29/6; ordinary, to 27/; backward, 21/ to 23/; ordinary, f6ur and six-tooth halfbrcd. 23/ to 26/7; plain, 19/ to 22/; plain three-quarter'ored, 16/ to 20/; good sound-mouth lialfbred, 21/ to 23/4; medium, 18/ to 20/; good crossbred, to 39/6; medium, 15/ to 17/; sound and failing mouth, 11/0 to 14/6; aged and inferior, 9/ to 11/; forward young halfbred wethers, 20/ to other, 16/ to 19./; sound-mouth Merino, 7/4 to 9/3. Store Lambs.—The entry was heavy, but the quality was not so good as at recent sales. There was a steady auction and free demand at late rates. Good ewe, 18/9 to 20/3; ordinary, to 10/3; good vape, 18/ to 19/9; medium, 16/ to 17/6; backward store, 12/ to 15/. Fat Lambs—The entry was large and the quality much inferior to last week. A keen sale resulted, values remaining at late rates. Extra prime heavy lambs, to 29/1; prime heavy, 23/6 to 25/6; medium, 20/6 to 23/; light aud plain, 17/ to 20/. Fat Sheep.—There was an entry of 3200, but the quality was poor. The strong demand of butchers caused a rise of 1/ to 1/6 a head. Extra prime heavy wctheis, to 30/7; prime heavy, 25/ to 27/6; prime medium-weight, 23/ to 24/6; ordinary, to 22/6; light, 17/ to 19/6. Extra prime heavy ewes, to 28/7; prime heavy, 22/6 to 24/6; prime medium-weight, 18/ to 22/; ordinary, 15/ to 17/6; light, 12/ to 11/'>■. Fat Cattle.—A yarding of 430 of fair quality met with a good demand. Prices were firm. Best beef made 24/ to 27/6 per 1001b; good, 21/ to 23/; heavy-weight, 17/6 to 20/; medium, 16/ to 19/; rough, down to 12/. Fat Pigs.—The entry was smaller and the demand good, particularly for porkers. Choppers, 50/ to £4 11/; baconers, 48,6 to 54/6; heavy, 58/6 to £3 5/6; extra, £3 15/6; average per lb, 4 x hd to s'/id. Por«ccrg, 28/6 to 34/6; heavy, 36/6 to 42/6; average per lb, s'/2d to 6d.