HIGHEST THIS YEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 210, 6 September 1939, Page 4

HIGHEST THIS YEAR.

WESTFIELD PRICES.

SHORTAGE OF FAT CATTLE.

STEERS MAKE UP TO £19 10/-

The highest prices of this year were realised for cattle on the Westfield fat stock market to-day. Keen demand for a limited supply forced prices up again, making a rise of 9/ per 1001b or 26 per cent in the price of ox beef over the past month. Values ranged to 43/ per 1001b, and the top price for bullocks was £19 10/.

The reason for tlie extremely high prices is a shortage of fat stock throughout the province resulting from the di-y spell in the autumn, which has aggravated the usual scarcity of meat in the off-season. There is no sign yet that the shortage will be relieved. '

Even when the flush of spring feed comes on it will be some time before store stock put 011 enough condition to be killed.

Quality among the steers was better than usual, as indicated by the number which brought £18 or more. One of the auctioneers reports that the first 90 bullocks he put up to auction realised close on £1400 in the aggregate. Tap price of the day was £19 10/, which was paid for tlie best of a line of eight prime and heavy steers sold on account of the estate of the late Mr. Alexander Bell, Paparooa. A line of seven from Mr. G. Johnstone, Matainata, realised. £17 2/6 to £19. and larger drafts from Messrs. Ben Reed, Waerenga, and X. G. Litchfield, Patumahoe, made up to £18. • The calf market was short of good quality vealeis and runners, and in consequence prices showed a rise 011 last week's high rates.