LIVE STOCK MARKET

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 224, 22 September 1938, Page 19

LIVE STOCK MARKET

ADVERSE WEATHER.

BAD EFFECT ON STOCS.

BEEF AT HIGH VALUES.

Since last review climatic conditions have largely dominated the stock markets. A spell, fortunately brief, of cold blustering wind and rain, interfered with spring growth that was just commencing, and was severe on young stock. Feed is scarce for the time of the year, and this will largely account for the lack of buoyancy in the market.

Export values have shown customary variations, but within comparatively narrow limits. Tooley Street reports a quiet market for butter and cheese, with quotations slightly lower for both. Last week s deliveries of New Zealand were below the average in each case, but stocks on hand are much lower than they were a year ago. However, the butter market is apparently depressed by heavy stocks from other sources, the estimates being 1.244.362 boxes on hand, as compared with 816,974 a year ago. Recent firmness for lamb at Smithfield has been checked, but prices are fairly steady. The opening of the London wool sales has brought keener competition than

was expected, and prospects for next New Zealand clip have to that extent improved. At this week's Parnell sale ox hides were slightly easier, but cow hides were firmer and sheepskins sold at about late rates. Of conditions in the country our Waikato correspondent writes: —

Adverse weather conditions have again been experienced during the week, in fact Sunday was one of the coldest days this winter. Due, no doubt to the unseasonable weather, the grass is extremely backward and more poor conditioned cows are noticed in the Waikato this year than any -season for a number of years. Most of the dairyfarmers have run out of hay and ensilage supplies, and there is no doubt that production will be seriously affected by the lateness of the season. There is no very material difference to record as far as the markets are concerned. As was anticipated, the improved prices realised for beef and recorded in our last week's report, have been fully maintained and in some instances further increased. A feature of the beef market 1? 16 aD P arent shortage of cow and heifer beef, and at Frankton on Tuesday prices per 1001b for this class must have almost reached a record.

A larger volume of business has been transacted in the store cattle section, but most of the yardings comprise young cattle, there is a strong demand for grown steers suitable to go into the fattening paddock, but now due to the lateness of the season younger cattle are not so k«enly sought after, and prices at most sales have been on the disappointing side. In the dairy section business is confined practically to heifers, and here also the adverse weather conditions are showing their effect on the stock. It is difficult to secure heifers well grown and in good condition. Prices in this section remain much the same as last week. Mutton Cheaper. Fat sheep are again disappointing, and a further large yarding at Frankton on Tuesday resulted in a decided drop in values. Both ewe and wether mutton was effected. The only class that maintained its price was fat hoggets. It looks u though the top has been reached as far as fat sheep are concerned, for this season. Under normal conditions exporters would be able to operate and thereby get rid of a good deal of the surplus. However, there are no indications of any mutton being frozen in the near future Store sheep are also dull of sale, and practically the only business being transacted is with store hoggets. In the pig section, prices, especially for : Heavy baconers, are showing a slight improvement, whilst stores and weaners fluctuate according to the number yarded, bttt at most sales are keenly competed for. MUTTON DOWN AT WEBTFIELD. While beef and veal prices rose to the highest levels for years on the Westfield fat stock market yesterday, mutton and pork declined. There was a heavy yarding iT at j ep ' and P rioe « dropped about 3/ below last week's quotations. A shortage of beef resulted in a rise to 44/ per 1001b, the highest for many years. Calves were also scarce, values advancing sharply, but pigs were easier. Following is the range of prices, together with last week's:— ,

Alfred Buckland and Sons, Ltd,., report:— Beef.—Yesterday at our weekly Westfield fat stock market our total yarding of fat cattle numbered 220 head, as against 241 head last week, comprising 94 steers and 126 cows and heifers. The quality of ox beef penned was first-claas. Competition was again very keen, and values improved by 2/ a 1001b. A small offering of cows and heifers met with spirited bidding and improved on late quotations by 2/ a 1001b. Extra choice ox sold to £2 4/ per 1001b; choice and prime ox, £2 1/ to £2 3/; secondary and plain ox, £1 17/ to £2; prime young cow and heifer beef, £2 to £22/; ordinary cow beef. £1 9/ to £1 14/. Extra heavy prime steers ranged m price from £17 to £18 7/6, the latter price being for steers from Messrs. Blackett I Bros., Te Kowhai. Heavy prime steers, £16 10/ to £16 5/', lighter prima stsera.

£14 to £15; light prime steers, £12 10/ to £13 10/; small and unfinished steers, £9 to £11 5/; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £13 10/ to £15. One truck of cows and heifers from Mr. R. F. Hall, Walton, made up to £15, the line averaging £13 10,7. Heavy prime cows and heifers, £11 to £12 10/; lighter prime cows and heifers, £9 to £10; other killable cows, £5 10/ to £8.

Sheep.—Sheep were penned to the number of 1174. Bidding for wethers was steady, with little or no alteration on last week's sale. A heavy yarding of ewes again eased by about 3/ a head. Extra heavy prime wethers realised £1 14/ to £1 15/6; heavy prime wethers, £1 12/ to £1 13/; medium to heavy prime wethers, £1 9/6 to £1 11/; light to medium prime wethers, £1 7/6 to £1 8/6; unfinished wethers, 19/ to £1 5/; extra heavy prime young ewes, £1 3/6 to £1 5/6; heavy prime ewes, £11/6 to £1 2/6; lighter prime ewes, 18/6 to £1; other killable ewes, 13/6 to 16/6; other ewes, 2/6 to 10/6.

Lambs.—Our total yarding of lambs numbered 420. Competition was not keen, and values were on a par with last week's reduced prices. Extra heavy prime lambs sold at £1- 4 6 to £ 1 6,6; heavy prime lamlxi, £1 2/ to £1 3/; lighter prime lambs, £1 to £1 1/; light prime lambs. 17/6 to 18,6; small and plain lambs, 10/ to 15/.

Calves. —We had the smallest yarding of calves we have had for some tiiiie. Good quality runners and . vealers were insufficient for butchers' requirements, and values showed a further rise on last week's quotations. Heavy runners made from £7 to £10 for an extra heavy runner from Mr. F, Roberts, Pakuranga, while a wellfinished Shorthorn heifer from Mr. R. Hall, Win, realised £9 5/. Heavy prime vealers brought £6 6/ to £7; medium prime vealeiu. £5 to £5 16/; light prime vealers, £3 18/ to £4 13/; smaller prime vealers, £3 10/ to £3 12/: small, £1 6/ to £2 4/; unfinished and bucket-fed, £1 to £1 16': bobby calves. 4/ to 15/. A total of 320 calves wan sold.

Pigs.—We had a smaller yarding of fat pigs. The demand was not keen, and values for botli baconers and porkers were lower. Choppers made from £2 10/ to £5; heavy prime baconere, £3 19/ to £4 4/; one outstanding baconer realising £4 14/. Medium baconers sold at £3 12/ to £3 16/; light prime baconers, £3 3/ to £3 10/; heavy prime porkers, £2 18/ to £3 •->/; medium porkers, £2 6/ to £2 16/; light porkere, £1 18/ to £24/; email and unfinished, £1 14/ to £1 16/. , A good yarding of etore pigs came forward. Competition was very keen, and values were fully up to recent quotations. Sows in pig. £3 10/ to £6; service boars, 2%gs to 3gs; large-framed stores, £1 12/ to £1 16/; good stores, £1 8/ to £1 11/; best slips, -£1 4/ to £1 6/; other slips, 18/ to £1 2/; best weaners, £1 to £1 3/; smaller weanere, 12/ to 18/ A total of 434 pigs was sold.

DALGETY AND COMPANY. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report:— Beef.—At our weekly Westfield fat stock market yesterday our offering of beef totalled 118 head, comprising 25 steers and 93 cows and heifers, against 114 head last week. The quality throughout was firstclass and, selling under a very keen demand, values improved 2/ a 1001b on last week's quotations. Extra choice ox sold to 44/ per 1001b; choice and prime ox, 41/ to 43/; just killable, 37/ to 40/; prime young cow and heifer beef, 40/ to 42/; just killable, 29/ to 36/; extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £17 12/6 to £18 15/ for steers from Mr. H. V. Kay, Motutau: heavy prime steers, £16 to £17 10/; lighter prime steers, £14 10/ to £15 17/6; light prime steers, £12 10/ to £14 5/; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £14 to £15 for heifers sold on account of Messrs. Thompson and Ernst, Whakatane; heavy prime cows and heifers, £12 5/ to £13 15/: lighter prime cowa and heifers, £11 to £12; light cows, £9 10/ to £10 15/; other killable cows, £6 to £9. Sixteen bullocks, account H. V Kay Motutau, averaged £17 4/4; nine bullocks, account Ngatuku, Limited, Putaruru, averaged £13 18/1; 18 cows and heifers account Em. Wright, Pukekohe, averaged £13 2/. *

Sheep.—Sheep were again penned in big numbers, and included a big proportion of ewes. Although the demand was steady values for all classes, with the exception of well-finished wethers, were easier, extra heavy prime wethers, woolly, realised 34/ to 36/; heavy prime. 31/ to 33/; medium, 29/ to 30/; shorn, 24/9 to 26/; light andi unfinished, 25/6 to 28/6; heavy prime ewes, £1 2/ to £1 4/9; lighter, 19/ to £1 1/6; shorn, 18/; other ewes, 12/ to 18/. Lambs.—A good yarding of lambs did not attract very keen competition, and values ruled lower than last week. Heavy prime lamb sold at 25/ to 29/; medium, 22/ to 24/6; lighter, 19/ to 21/; small, 12/ to 18/.

Calves—Calves were yarded in small numbers, runners and heavy vealers being insufficient for butchers' requirements. Value, for both these classes improved considerably on last week's quotations. Runners brought £6 to £7 15/: heavy r a L e r';„f s }-H to £6 W'> medium, £4 15/ i 2A n J 2/ '' hpht - £3 18 / t0 £* W; rough, £2 10/ to £3 12/; unfinished and bucketfed, £1 14/ to £2 4/; bobby calves, 6/ to 16/.

P'g*.—Pigs came forward in average numbers. Values for liaconers showed a slight easing, on last week's quotations, while values for pork remained very firm "A ~*? rate «- Heavy baconers sold at £3 17/ to £4 1/; medium, £3 10/ to £3 15/; light, £3 5/ to £3 »/; heavy porkers, £3 to £3 6/; medium, £2 8/ to £2 18/; light, £2 to £2 6/. Store pigs came forward in average numbers and sold at late rates. Good stores, £1 11/ to £1 17/slips £1 4/ to £1 7/; weaners, 14/ to

LOAN AND MERCANTILE.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report:— Beef—At Westfield fat stock market yesterday beef was penned in very small numbers. Competition was keen, with values again advancing 1/ to 2/ per 1001b. Kxtra choice ox sold to £2 4/ per 1001b; choice and prime ox, £1 18/ to £2 3/ordinary and plain ox, £1 12/ to £1 17/; prime young cow and heifer beef, £1 17/ to £2 2/; ordinary cow beef, £1 10/ to £1 16/; extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £18 to £19 2/6; heavy prime steers, £16 to £17 17/6; lighter prime steers, £14 12/6 to £15 17/6; light prime steers, £12 12/6 to £14 10/; plain and small, £10 10/ to £12 10/; heavy prime young cows and tieifers, £11 10/ to £14 2/6; fighter, £9 5/ to £11 5/; light, £7 to £9 5/; aged and plain finished cows, £4 to £6 15/.

Sheep.—A large yarding of sheep met a I steady demand, but, the market being over- j supplied, values again eased 2/ to 3/ a head. Heavy prime wethers, woolly, made £1 13/ to £1 15/; shorn, £1 5/ to £1 6/9; medium prime wethers, woolly, £1 10/ to £1 12/9; shorn, £1 3/ to £1 4/9; light prime wethers, woolly, £1 5/ to £1 9/9; shorn, £1 1/ to £1 2/9; small and unfinished wethers, woolly, £1 to £1 4/9; shorn, 17/6 to £1 0/9; heavy prime ewes, woolly,. £1 4/ to £1 6/; medium prime ewes, woolly, £1 to £1 3/9; light prime ewes, woolly, 16/ to 19/9; just killable, woolly, 11/ to 15/; inferior ewes, 2/6 to 10/; prime shorn ewes, 15/ to 18/. Hoggets in large numbers were also easier in price. Extra heavy prime sold to £1 5/ to £1 10/; heavy prime, £1 3/6 to £1 4/9; medium prime, £1 1/ to £1 3/3; light prime, 18/ to £1 0/9; unfinished, best, 15/ to 17/6; others, 10/ to 14/9.

Pigs.—We had a small yarding of pigs. Porkers sold at late rates, but baconers were dull of sale, and values were hardly up to last week's quotations. Choppers sold from £1 10/ to £3 14/; heavy and medium baconers, from £3 10/ to £4; light t coners and heavy porkers, from £2 16/ to £3 8/; medium porkers and light porkers, from £8 to £2 14/; small, £1 10/ to £1 18/. Store sold at late rates. Large stores, £1 12/ to £1 16/; slips, £1 5' to £1 10/; weaners, 10/ to £1 8/.

Calves.—Our entry of calves was a large one. There was a keen sale, and values showed a sharp rise, especially quality vealers and * few calves at the end of the late sale, which sold at last week's rates. Runners sold at £6 10/ to £8 17/6; heavy vealers, £6 10/ to £7 16/: medium, £5 t« £6 5/; light,.£4 to £4 15/; smaller, £3 5/ to £3 15/; small, £2 10/ to £3 3,'; rough calves, £1 to £2 5/; fresh-dropped to thra*-weeks-old, 7/ to £2 S/.

This Week. Last Week. BEEF (per 1001b) — Extra choice ox 44/ 42/ Choice and prime o* ......... 38/ to 43/ 37/ to 41/ Choice and prime cow and heifer 37/ to 42/ 35/ to 41/ Boner and rough 29/ to 36/ 27/ to 34/ SHEEP (per head) — Prime wethers: Shorn 21/ to 26/9 22/6 to 27/3 Unshorn 33/ to 35/ 35/ to 38/ Unfinished wethers : Shorn 17/6 to 20/9 20/ to 22/ Unshorn .... 20/ to 24/9 27/6 to 30/6 Prime ewes: Shorn ...... 15/ to 18/ 17/ to 21/ Unshorn 20/ to 25/6 25/ to 28/3 Unfinished ewes : Shorn — 8/ to 16/ Unshorn .... 2/6 to 19/9 2/ to 20/ Hoggats: Shorn — 12/ to 22/ Unshorn .... 10/ to 30/ 16/6 to 18/6 Spring lambs . . — 23/6 to 34/6 Prime lambs . 10/ to 36/6 22/ to 26/ Unfln. lambs .. 8/ to 16/ »/ to 14/ CALVES (per head) — Runners 120/ to 200/ 70/ to 173/ Vealers 78/ to 156/ 110/ to 142/ PIGS (per head)— Bac»n«N 63/ to 84/ 67/ to 95/ Porkers 34/ to 66/ 38/ to 67/ Weanera 12/ to 28/ 12/ to 23/ Slips 18/ to 30/ 23/ to 30/ Large atorea . 28/ to 36/ 28/ to 40/ ALFRED BUCKLAND AND SONS.