WEEKLY LIVE STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 2963, 27 May 1898, Page 6

WEEKLY LIVE STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT.

Wednesday, May 25. Cattle.— l9o yarded. The larger portion consisted of prime quality medium and light weight steers, the balanoe being made np of cows aod half-finished cattle. The demand at the commencement of the sale was brisk, and last week's prices ruled, but towards the end of the sale opening prices were not obtained. Graziers were in the market for forward-conditioned bullocks for finishing off on turnips, and any of this class realised fair values. Best bullooks, £9 to £10 7a 6d ; medium, £7 10a to £8 10a ; light, £5 5s to £6 ; best cows, £5 15a to £6 15s ; medium £4 5s to £5 5a ; aged and inferior, £2 to £3 103. Fat Sheep. — The yardiDg comprised 2715 sheep, of whioh a large portion were really prime wethers and maiden ewes. The demand . for prime Bheep was confined entirely to the butchers, the prices at present rating being too high for exporters to operate, and as there were more sheep forwarl than were required to satisfy the local trade, values opened with a decline of Gi per head for really prime wethers and 1b per head for medium quality and ewea, but towards the end of the sale, when buyers had supplied the bulk of their requirements, prices were Btill easier, and in some instances Is per head below opening rates had to be accepted. The decline waß most marked in aged ewes, whioh were very dull of sale. Graziera were buyers of all good crossbred wethers half and three parts fat ; and a few pena of really prime wethers and maiden ewes were also taken up at lla to 14s for holding on turnipa. Best crossbred wethers and maiden ewes brought from 13a to 143 6d ; medium do, 11s to 12a 6d ; light and inferior, 8a to 10d ; beat ewes, 9j 6i to 11s; medium do, 7b 6i to 9j ; inferior, 5a tc 6a 6d. Lambs.— Only 629 forward, but quite sufficient for the demand, A few only of the pens of lambs were of prime quality, the balance being only half finished. There was a fair demand for all offered at prices slightly below last week's rates. B9st lambs brought from 8a 6d to 9a 6d, medium, 6a 61 to 7a 6d ; inferior, 5s to 6?. Pigs. — 93 yarded. The demand for goci bacon pigs and porkers was good, and values rulsd much the same as last week. Stores and stickers wara slow of sale. Heavy bacon pigs 41s to 50a, prime do 33s to 40 j, porkers 23 j to 32% stores 19j to 21s, slips 14a 61 to 163, suckers 6s 6i to 10a 6d. Ribbitskina. — Only small catalogues were offered on Monday, but notwithstanding the small supply prices Buffered a decline of from 3d to 4i per Ib. The reason of this decline is simply that during the past few weeks the market baa been in an excited Btate, and pricea have been foroed up far beyond their equivalent value of the ekiue in the London market. Buyers realised this, and reduced their limits accordingly. Cnrrent prices at auction on Monday were as follows : Early winters, 13d to 14£ d autumnß, lOd to 12£ d ; summers, 5d to 7^d ; ■nokerß, ljd to 3£d ; blacks, lOd to 16£ d. Wheat.— The demand during the week haa good been, and for one line of specially prime velvet the highest price this season was paid — viz., 5j 3d, rx store, Dunedin. The market to-day, however is not quite so firm, more especially for secondary qualities, millers confining their operations to the ohoiceat lines. Out of condition wheat is < very difficult to place, and can only be done at prices below the real value. Qaotations : Prime velvet 53 to 5s 2d ; do Tussan, 43 lid to 5s Id ; medium to good miiliag, 4s 8d to 4b lOd ; fowl wheat 4s to 4s 2d. j Oats. — There has been a fair inquiry during the week, and no difficulty has been experienced in placing lines at quotations, where farmers have given authority to sell at reasonable prices. Buyers now decline to make offers and unless agents can offer grain to buyers at market rates business ia retarded. There is a strong inquiry for Sutherlauds, long Tartarian, and other seed | lines at advanced prices. Quotations are : Satberlands, 2s 5d to 2s 7d ; blacks, Tartars, &o 2s 9d to 2* 9d ; extra heavy sparrowbills, 2s 4|d to 2a ad ; ordinary, 2b 3&d to 2s 4d ; medium and inferior, 2a 2d to 2a 3d. Barley. — There ia no change in the market, aDd last week's prices may be taken as to-day's market quotations. Prime malting, 4a lid to 5a Id ; fair to medium, 43 4d to 4a 7d : fßed and milling, 2 i 6 1 to 3a 6d. Potatoes. Arrivals this week have been pn * large ioale,' and prices jk oons^oen^

receded Bomewhat at theend of last week, but have again recovered. Beat Derwente, £6 to £6 7s 8d ; ordinary, £5 5a to £5 10b. Chaff. — The market is well supplied, and vftloea are easier. Quotations are: Prime oaten sheaf, L 3 15a to L 3 17b 6d ; fair to medium L 3 7a 6d to L 3 12s 6d ; Btraw, L 2 to L 2 sa.