LIVE STOCK MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 102, 2 May 1935, Page 22

LIVE STOCK MARKET.

BUSINESS IN FULL SWING.

TRADE WITH IN-CALF HEIFERS

Since last review there have been no great changes in the export markets. At Smithfield the consumption of lamb is improving, but prices are still low. Heavy arrivals of Australian are competing with supplies from this Dominion, and help to depress values. There is a fair trade in pigs at late rates, and this is of special importance to the Waikato, which is now a large exporter of pork and bacon.

The wool market is definitely firmer, and advances in values are expected at the London sales next week.

Latest cables from Tooley Street indicate a firmness in butter, and there has been a slight increase in values. Stocks on hand are down, and it would not be surprising it' more substantial advances took place.

Of conditions in the country, our Waikato correspondent writes: —

Business in the stock market, which was disorganised during the holidays, lias commenced again in full swing. At last week's sale a smaller yarding of fat ewes came forward, and this was reflected in this week's sale by butchers being caught with short supplies, and consequently prices showed an increase of at least 2/ per head. Wethers also showed an improvement, but with the number of fat sheep that are held and the lack of export competition, it is not anticipated that any material improvement will be noted in the near future. Store sheep have practically disappeared oil' the market, although a sale of East Coast wethers which was advertised lor one ot the outside districts failed to attract the buyers, ami the owner's reserve was not reached.

In the cattle section beef has shown no alteration. The exceptionally good weather we have been experiencing dining the last week has resulted in an abundance of feed, so that cattle which a month or so ago had no chance of fattening this winter will now probably find their way through the beef pens. There is still a strong demand for store cattle, and. vardings of this class of stock, especially male cattle, are keenly sought after, and competition is never lacking. Business has started once again With mcalf heifers. Although buyers so tar operating are buying with extreme caution, still it is pleasing to see dairy farmers once again in the market, as graziers who have fanned Jersey heifers during the autumn weva beginning to get anxious. There is no doubt that a large number of heifers will be wanted to replace the wastage in the herds, but it is equallv certain that a number of farmers will try a few breeding ewes, and will therefore not be in the market for heifers. In the pig section, vardings are keeping up remarkably well with prices, especially for heavy baconers and porkers, remaining firm.

At Westfield. About 900 head of fat cattle was yarded at Westfield yesterday, and met a keen demand at prices slightly in advance Of those recently ruling. Calves were plentiful, and there was a good demand lor all prime quality, but unfinished sorts were dull of sale. The fat lamb entry was easily disposed of at late rates, and tat sheep realised improved prices. Competition was steady for a very heavy yarding of nigs, and late rates were maintained. The range of prices, together with those ruling the previous week; was as follow:— This Week. Last Wee'.;. BEEF (per 1001b) — Extra choice ox 25/ -1/ Choice and prime ox 21/ to 24/ 21/ t023/ Choice anil prime cow anil heller 20/ to 24/ 20/ to 23/ Boner anil rough 12/ to It)/ 12/ to 10/ SHEEP (per head) — „ , , „_,. Prime wethers . 23/ to 30/0 21/ toi./<. UnflU. wethers . 17/ to 22/0 10/0 to 20/0 Prime ewes .... 10/ to 23/0 10/ to 2,1/ Uniin. ewes .... 11/ to 15/0 10/ to 15/0 Prime lcnbs ... 18/ to 22/ in/ to 24/0 Cntin. lambs ... 0/to 15/0 10/ tolu/J CALVES (per head)— ~.»«, Kunners 85/toO7/0 25/ to SS Vealers 14/ to 50/ 14/ to Do/ PIGS (perhead)— „, , Baconers 48/ to 73/ 48/ to 73/ I'orkers 20/ to 43/ 20/ to-12/ Weauers 4/to 10/ C/ to 10/ Slips 30/ to 13/ 10/ to 14/ Large stores ... 14/ to 22/ 15/ to 21/ DALGETY AND COMPANY. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., report: — Beef.—We yarded 253 head of beef, comprising 40 steers and 207 cows and heifers, against 130 head last week. The quality of the ottering was fully up to standard, and selling under a ready demand _ late rates again ruled for all classes. Extra choice ox sold to 24/ per 1001b; choice and prime, 21/ to 23/; just killable, 17/ to 20/; prime young cow and heifer beef, 20/ to 23/; just killable, 13/ to 10/. Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £10 to £10 5/; heavy prime, £0 to £9 17/0; lighter prime, £S to £8 15/; light prime, £0 17/0 to £7 15/; small and unfinished, £4 to £0 10/. Extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £0 10/ to £7 10/, for heifers from Mr. E. 11. Bradstreet, Ohinewai; heavy prime, £5 to £0 5/; lighter prime, £3 15/ to £4 15/; other killable cows, £ I 10/ to £3 12/0. Sheep—We yarded fully an average number of sheep of excellent quality, which sold under a keen demand at improved rates. Extra heavy prime wethers, 28/ to 28/9; heavy prime. 27/ to 27/9; medium prime, 25/G to 20/9; light and unfinished, 22/ to 25/; heavy prime ewes, 18/ to 19/3; lighter prime, 16/ to 17/9; other ewes, 12/ to 15/9. Lambs.—An average entry of lambs found a ready sale at late rates. Heavy prime lamb. '19/ to 20/9; medium prime, 10/0 to 18/0; light prime, 15/ to 10/. Calves.—Fully an average yarding of calves came forward. Competition for prime calves was good, and values ruled very firm on late rates. Inferior calves were easier of sale. Our offering did not include any heavy prime runners. Medium runners, £2 to £2 18/; heavy vealers, £2 9/ to £2 13/; medium, £1 15/ to £2 1/; light. £1 7/ to £1 12/; small, 14/ to 19/; rough calves, 8/ to 12/; bobby calves, 3/ to 0/. Pigs.—A very heavy yarding of pigs met with steady competition, and sold at values firm on late rates. Heavy baconers, £3 6/ to £3 12/; medium, £2 10/ to £3 2/; light, £2 8/ to £2 13/; heavy porkers, £2 to £2 3/; medium, £1 13/ to £1 17/; light, £1 7/ to £1 11/; small and unfinished, 18/ to £1 4/.

ALFRED BIICKLAND AND SONS. Alfred Auckland and Sons, Ltd., report: —

Beef—We yarded fat cattle to the number of 290 head, as against 220 head last week, comprising 100 steers and 190 cows and heifers. Our yarding of ox beef included several lines of choice cattle, which sold under s?ood competition, with values firm at last week's rates. Cows and heifer* were again yarded in large numbers! with values remaining firm on last week's sale. Extra choice ox sold to £1 4/ per 1001b; choice and prime, £1 1/ to £1 11/: secondary and plain, 17/ to 19/; prime young cow and heifer beef, £L to £1 2/; ordinary cow beef, 12/ to 17/ Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £10 10/ to £11 10/; 7 steers from Mr. H. E. Reed, Waerenga, averaged £10 18/7; 17 from Mr. Geo. ITastie, Papatbetoe, £8 1.1/3; heavy prime. £8 10/ to £9 10/; lighter prime, £7 5/ to £8; light prime. £0 10/ to £7; small and unfinished. £4 10/ to £5 10/. Extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £.1 3/ to £0: heavy prime. £4 10/ to £5; lighter prime. £3 7/0 to £4; other killable cows, £2 to £3 5/.

Sheep.—Our sheep pens were moderately] filled with a fair class of 'mutton, and sold freely at prices on a par with recent' sales (602 sheep were sold). No extra heavy prime wethers yarded. Heavy prime, £1 4/0 to £1 5/0; medium to heavy prime, £1 3/ to £1 4/; light to medium prime, £1 1/ to £1 2/6; unfinished. 17/ to 19/. Extra heavy prime young ewes. £1 1/ to £1 2/; heavy prime. 18/6 to £1: lighter prime, 10/ to 17/9; other killable ewes, 13/6 to 15/; other ewes, 5/ to 11/.

Lambs. —Lambs wei-e yarded to the number of 353. Competition was keen, and everything changed hands at very satisfactory prices. Kxtra heavy prime lambs, £1 to £1 2/; heavy prime, 18/ to 10/6; lighter prime, 16/ to 17/6; light prime, 14/ to 15/; small and plain, 9/ to 11/6.

Calves. —We had an average yarding of calves. The quality was hardly up to the usual standard. Prime eorts realised late rates, while values for others eased slightly. Runners made £1 15/ to £3 16/; heavy vealers, £2 9/ to £2 14/; medium. £1 15/ to £2; light, £1 8/ to £1 12/; small, 14/ to 18/; unfinished and bucket-fed, 7/ to 11/; bobby calves, 3/ to 6/. (203 calves were sold.)

Pigs.—There was an extra large supply of pigs. Bidding was steady throughout the sale, and all classes realised late rates. Choppers made £1 5/ to £2 12/; heavy baeoners, £3 7/ to £3 13/; medium, £2 17/ to £3 2/; light, £2 8/ to £2 12/; heavy porkers, £1 18/ to £2 2/; medium, £1 13/ to £1 15/; light, £1 0/ to £1 10/; small and unfinished, 16/ to £1 4/. Stores were in poor request, and prices were lower. Pest trained. 17/ to £1 1/; small, 13/ to 15/; slips, !)/ to 11/; weanere, 4/ to 8/. Baeoners sold at an average pried of 5d to fi'/id per lb, and porkers 4%d to 5(1 per lb. (A total of 910 pigs was sold.)

LOAN AND MERCANTILE. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, reports:— Beef.—Wo had more than an average entry of beef. There was a steady demand, with last week's advanced rates being fully maintained. Extra choice ox sold to £15/ per 1001b; choice and prime, £1 to £L 4/; ordinary and plain, 16/ to 19/; prime young cow and heifer beef, £1 to £1 4/; ordinary cow beef, 14/ to 19/. Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £10 to £11; heavy prime. £!) to £!> 15/; lighter prime, £8 to £8 17/6; light prime, £6 to £7 17/0; unfinished and small, £3 5/ to £5 10/: extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £0 5/ to £7 5/; heavy prime. £5 7/0 to £0 2/6: lighter, £4 7/0 to £5 5/; light cows. £2 15/ to £'4 5/: other cows. £1 5/ to £2 10/. Prime steers from Messrs. Craven Bros., Ituawai, realised up to £11; prime cows from Mr. C. H. Horton, Waerenga, realised up to £7 5/.

Sheep.— An average yarding of sheep met with ;i keener demand, and values improved for all prime mutton 1/ to 2/ per head. Heavy prime wethers, £1 11/ to £1 10/6; medium prime, £1 5/6 to £1 8/6; %ht prime, £1 3/ to £1 5/3; small and unfinished, 18/ to £1 2/9; extra heavy prima ewes, £1 2/ to £1 3/6; heavy prime. £1 to £1 1/0; medium prime, 18/6 to 10/0; light prime, 10/ to 18/3; interiorly fatted ewes, 11/ to 1670.

Lambs.—Lambs sold under steady competition at late rates. Heavy prime, 19/ to £1 1/0: medium prime, 17/0 to 18/9; prime, 10/ to 17/3; unfinished, 12/ to 15/9.

Pigs.—There was an extra heavy yarding of pigs. Competition was steady throughout and values were well up to late rates. Choppers sold from £1 10/ to £3 9/: heavy and medium baconers, £3 8/ to £3 13/; light baeonera and heavy porkers, £2 6/ to £2 10/; medium porkers and light porkers, £1 10/ to £2 2/; small. £13/ to £1 8/. Store pigs sold at late quotations. Large stores. 15/ to £1 2/; slips, 0/ to 14/; weaners, 5/ to 10/. Calves.—Calves were penned in increased numbers, mostly of good quality. Values improved on last week's quotations. Kunners, £2 10/ to £4 17/0 for an extra wellgrown steer: heavy vealers, £2 16/ to 63 8': medium. £2 6/ to £2 14/; light, £1 15/ to £2 4/; smaller, £1 ."./ to £1 13/; small and fresh dropped, 3/ to £1 V; rough calves, 8/ to 10/.