ADDINGTON MARKET

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21970, 19 December 1936, Page 11

ADDINGTON MARKET

ftW«E3BaMM|W n " ' -->- , *.„ vi.. v

THE LAMB DEMAND HEAVY BEEF SUPPLIES It is a long time since export lambs sold at s)d per lb at Addington. As has been pointed cut, however, the skin value is very high, being equal, from an average early lamb, to 5s or 5s 6d, or lid per lb. This brings the net price back approximately to the values quoted last week at Smithfield. and leaves the exchange and one or two other incidentals to cover the costs' of buying, iactory charges, and freight. These had been set down at a definite level for some years, but there has been no statement since the recent increase m labour costs and decrease in hours and other incidentals to show the exact cost of landing lamb at Smithfield today. However, whatever these costs may be, it is apparent that the fattener to-day is getting the maximum rate. Exporters on Wednesday did not stop at a farthing, or a little more, than the schedule in their quest for supplies, and as butchers had to make provision for the holidays in case of a short entry at next sale, all the elements existed for a keen market. The next sale will be held on ,Tuesday, December 22, and butchers will most likely want most of the entry, but in any case the works will be closing down on the > day following. The main subject of speculation amongst farmers is the rate after the holiday period. The following is a comparison of the prices ruling on Wednesday and at the corresponding sale last year:—

Fat Sheep In a somewhat dragging, or "dawdling," sale at times, the fat wether market continued practically unchanged. The slower sale suggested that there was a weakening tendency towards the finish, but an examination of the prices discounts that idea. With butchers having an eye to the holiday needs .and exporters in the competition for all reasonable weights, the sale for wethers maintained a steady level throughout. There were more ewes forward, now that lambs are being quitted, and a proportion of them were of very ordinary quality. The number brought down values by about Is 6d a head. Ewes for some sales have

Store Sheep There were practically no ewes forward on Wednesday. It is understood that, there is a .good deal of forward buying of ewes, and this may be reducing entries. This week practically the entire yarding comprised wethers, and these included fairly big lines of two-tooths. But for the Marlborough consignment there would have been a very poor representation in the section. Considering their long travel, the northern sheep came forward in very good order. \ Fat Cattle Considering the heavy entry in the fat cattle section the sale was a remarkably good one, but with lamb averaging about 9d per lb and mutton up to s,'[d butchers doubtless realised the economy of buying beef at less than 4d. The equivalent of this price : s 33s 4d per 1001 b, and it was only the best of the beef that exceeded this value on Wednesday. There is the possibility that the relative cheapness of beef may cause an improved summer demand, and so help to absorb the b : g number of cattle which is apparently available. The market is being better supplied with prime medium weights. The ponderous 1000-pounder is not wanted except in the winter months, and there appears to be a growing tendency towards reducing this class and so getting the best return.

Dec. 17, Dec. 16, 1935. 1936. S. S-. s. s. Ex. prime heavy .. Prime heavy Prime medium to 30i 24i to 27 to m 29 to 32 weight Ordinary Light 22J to 24J 20i to 22 to 20 27 to 28J 25J to 26J to 25i

been dear in relation to wethers. WethersEx. prime heavy to 28.J to 32 Prime heavy 23 to 25* 27 to 29 Prime medium weight 20i to 22J 25 to 2GJ Ordinary 181 to 20 23 to 24J Light to 18 to 22} EwesEx. prime heavy to 231 to 27 Prime heavy 19 to 22 221 to 24 Prime medium weight 16 to 18 201 to 22 Ordinary 14J to 15J 18 to 20 Light to 14 to 17J

SteersEx. prime heavy to 133 to 154 Prime heavy 10 to 11J 114 to 132 Prime medium weight 8i to 92 10J to 12 Ordinary 74 to 8i 94 to 104 Light to 7 to 9 Heifers— Ex. prime to 124 to 124 Prime 7 to 8J 84 to 92 Medium 54 to 6J 64 to 72 Light to 5 to 6 Cows — Ex. prime to 10 to 11 Prime 6J to 84 7 to 8i Medium 4J to 6 52 to 62 Light and aged .. to 44 to 51