LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 234, 3 October 1935, Page 4

LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

IN THE WAIKATO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Wednesday. Conditions are as follow:-— Beef.—The improved demand for oxbeef lias attracted good entries into Fraiikton and at the sale this week the top price bullock made £10 2/. It is over twelve months since £10 or better has been paid for a fat steer at Frankton, while medium-weight steers sold from £12 to £14. In the cow. and heifer section only small entries are coming forward, including little prime beef, and up to £10 7/6 was paid for a Shorthorn cow. Other medium-weight fat cows made £7 to £8, while second quality cow beef showed a marked improvement and realised from £4 15/ to £6 5/ for cattle that a few weeks ago would have made at least £2 ' to £3 less.

Fat Sheep.—There is no doubt that the butchers strongly favour shorn sheep to woollies. This was particularly noticeable in the wether section, and while a big proportion of the entry at Frankton on Tuesday comprised shorn sheep, woollies will become less popular at each sale from now-on.

Extra prime woolly wethers made up to 30/; fat woolly wethers, 24/0 to 26/; heavy prime shorn wethers, 25/0 to '27/3; medium shorn wethers, 23/ to 24/; extra heavy fat woolly ewes, up to 24/; medium fat woolly ewes, 20/ to 22/; fat shorn ewes, 18/ to 19/0; lighter, 10/ to 17/; fit woolly hoggets, 25/0; fat shorn hoggets, 19/ to 20/; spring lambs, up to 20/'.

Store Cattle. —With the anticipated improvement in feed, there is no doubt • that yearling Jersey heifers will be in much more demand. During the week one or two special entries of this class of stock are being advertised and it will be interesting to note what improvement the recent rain will have. So far no stationbred cattle are being offered, but there is no doubt that a good inquiry for all classes of animals suitable for fattening exists. Boner and store cows, which have been coming forwaid in slightly larger numbers, are, if anything, showing an improvement in values.

Store Sheep.—This section is particularly quiet, as far as local sales are concerned. Siilcs are still being made for January delivery of breeding ewes ill the Gisborne and East Coast districts at 22/0 for five-year-olds and 20/ to 27/ for two tooths.

Dairy Cattle. —Dairy sales are everywhere becoming ■ smaller, although the demand is improving and increased prices are given. It is seldom now that a total clearance is not effected. Best dairy heifers make from £7 to £8; later calvers, £5 10/ to £0 10/; smaller, £4 to £5. Practically no cows are being offered, with the exception perhaps of a few culls, for which competition is not brisk.

i Pigs.—So far the yardings in the pig ' section have been disappointing, as a big i proportion of the fat pigs that come for- • ward are unfinished, due, no doubt, to ■ the shortage of milk. Bacon "and pork ! buyers are operating, but owing to the ; limited quantity being offered they cannot buy as freely as when the yardings improve. Heavy baeouers made up to _£2 18/; medium, £2 5/ to £2 10/; heavy porkers, 38/ to £2 5/; lighter, 30/ to 35/; large stores, 18/ to 22/; slips, 14/ to 17/; weaners, 5/ to 15/.