ADDINGTON MARKET

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 11

ADDINGTON MARKET

A BRIGHTER SALE FEW BREEDING EWES OFFERED The natural deduction from Monday s depressing wool sale was that values fqr stock would show an easing c ■- Wednesday. Such did not prove to be the case. It is true that the price of wool has not a great deal to do with the price of stock about to be killed, except in respect of the price of the skin, but the tendency in practically all departments of the sheep sale was towards a firming. This tendency, however, probably had its origin in the meat aspect alone. There are not many fat lambs about now for the works, the butchers taking most of those of any weight that come into the yards, and exporters have consequently to keep operations moving by turning to the sheep pennings. This they did to good effect on Wednesday, and bought at the full limit of the export schedule. The schedule seems to possess more elasticity this season—as a matter of fact, company buyers have been working without a printed schedule. The scarcity of wethers did not allow them much scope in this section on Wednesday, but they figured amongst purchases at up to 27s a head. Most of the ewes that fell to them ranged from 16s to 17s 6d, but there were occasional cases of 19s being paid. The yarding on Wednesday showed an improvement in quality, and with the drier feed this improvement may be expected for the next few weeks. The following is a comparison of the prices ruling on Wednesday and at the corresponding sale, last year:— Feb. 3. Feb. 2„ 1037. 1938. Wethers— s. s. s. s.

Fat Lambs The slightly larger fat lamb penning met with a brighter sale. There was little actual improvement in the price per lb for the lighter export lambs, but they were competed for at the full limit of the schedule, and the heavy weights were taken in cases at a good 8d per lb by butchers.

Store Sheep Wether lambs again flooded the market, more than 80 per cent, of the total store sheep entry being of this class. A bigger proportion than usual comprised fair to good rape lambs, and lor the latter there was an advance of up to Is a head. The hardening probably was a reflection of the improved market in the fat pens, and in addition there is now a Tot of rape feed about which grajiers are anxious to turn to medium lamba-were firm at ‘ week’s rates, to a shade better in cases, and the inferior sorts for carrying over showed no change. The clearance of the big entry must be considered quite satisfactory to vendors; That good ewes will create some interest -was demonstrated by the fact that a line of Chatham Islands Romney two-tooths sold at 30s. At the same time last year they might have brought 38s. The few other pens sold draggingly, and at prices which showed a corresponding decline on those of 12 months ago. Offerings of ewes are remarkably few for a February sale. As a rule at this time small pens come in from the farms fairly freely. - , Good rape .. 22i to 25 to 191 Medium rape .. 20 to 221 161 to 17J Backward .. to 18 to 15a Ewes— Ex. good 4-year to 31 Ord. four-year . to 28 to 21J S. and f.m. ibd to 21 to 17 Good 2-tooth .. to 30 Fat Cattle Excess supplies for some weeks, and the consequent easing prices, apparently caused a number of cattle fatteners to stay out of the market this week. Their abstention was overdone as the entry comprised only 368 head’, compared with recent averages Of about 500. A good proportion of the entry comprised handy, well-bred medium weights, which suit all classes Of butchers. Some of the lines made on the verge of 40s per 1001 b, an unusual price for February. It would appear that the market, even at this period of the season, will comfortably absorb a good 400 head weekly. The high mutton prices are doubtless a factor in the market for beef.

The new pig pavilion at the Addington saleyards was used for the first time on Wednesday. Mr Geo. Witty, a director, briefly addressed farmers and others in attendance and hoped that the yards would prove a convenience and facilitate the sale of this imoortant part of the market. Mr George Hanham, on behalf of the auctioneers, returned thanks to the Saleyards Company for providing such up-to-date facilities. The pens will provide accommodation for a largely increased number of pigs. The pigs will now enter the market from the Lowe street entrance, which will remove the congestion caused in front of the yards by the unloading operations previously. The vacated part of the yards is being altered into sheep pens.

Ex. prime heavy to 343 to 361 Prime heavy 28£ to 31 I 321 to 34} Prime mcd.-wght. 26 to 281 291 to 32 Ordinary 231 to 25} 26 to 29 Light to 23 to 25} Ewes— Ex. prime heavy to 27J to 26J Prime heavy 23} to 25 24 to 25} Prime tned.-wght. 21 to 22} 22 to 233 Ordinary 18 to 201 to 171 18} to 21} Light to 18

Lambs— Ex. prime to 34J to 29J Prime ... 29 to 31 231 to 25 Medium-weight 261 to 281 21 to 23 Light 241 to 26 to 201

Steers — Ex. prime heavy £ to £ 144 £ £ to 181 Prime heavy 12 to 134 14J to I63 Prime med.-wght. 103 to 123 134 to 144 Ordinary 9 fo m 104 to 13 Light to 84 to 93 Heifers — Ex. prime to 113 to 113 Prime 81 to gl 10 to 11 Medium 51 to 73 73 to 93 Light to 53 6 to 7 Cows — Ex. prime to 113 to 114 Prime 64 to 8 73 to 93 Medium 5 to 61 53 to 74 Light to 43 to 54