BETTER PRICES FOR CATTLE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27917, 14 March 1956, Page 8

BETTER PRICES FOR CATTLE

Best Fat Lambs A Shade Dearer HARDER SALE FOR SOME SHEEP With a smaller entry fat cattle prices showed some improvement at Addington market yesterday. Advances of up to £2 to £3 a head were recorded for the best steers and heifers. Most other classes also showed gains. A big line of Molesworth station Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cross and Hereford steers were offered in the store pens. They sold from £l7 8s 6d to £27 8s 6d. Best lambs met a ready sale at prices slightly better than late rates, but light lambs were either passed or acquired by graziers. Only best quality ewes and wethers were in demand in the fat sheep pens. Old wethers and neglected and plain and unfinished ewes were hard to sell. The entry of fa?lambs 1475, against 1076 last week, and it included some big lines from the West Coast. Far too many light lambs, which were only stores, were yarded.. They held no interest for butchers and a number were passed, and others were bought by graziers. On the other hand some very attractive lambs were to hand and these were readily absorbed by butchers at rates a shade better than those of last week. The absence of competition from freezing works buyers took the edge off the market. which was erratic and did not finish on a very strong note. The market was topped by W. T. Larkin (Rotomanu) with the six tops of his line of 85 which made 87s Id. They were an outstanding pen of Romneys which promised to kill out at about 701 b. Another pen, which filled the eye, contained 12 South Suffolk cross lambs from C. Dymock (Waikuku), 11 of which made 76s Id and the other 7us Id. Best lambs sold from 68s Id to 37s Id. medium 62s Id to 67s 7d, light 50s Id to 61s Id, with others below these selling at last week’s store rates. Sales were as follows: H. Matson and Company sold: on account of Miss M. Boon (Halswell), 16 at 53s Id to 78s Id; Miss A. D. Calder (Lincoln), 5 at 58s 7d; J. H. B. Farr (Oxford), 6 at 62s 7d; C. Dymock (Waikuku), 12 at 75s Id to 76s Id; R. J. Southgate (Cooper’s Creek), 550 at 63s Id to 73s Id; S. Redmond (Halswell), 26 at 58s 7d to 61s Id; W. Williams (Reefton). 159 at 53s Id to 62s 7d; B. J. Dillon (Courtenay), 14 at 64s 7d; I. S. Kay (Duvauchelle). 4 at 59s Id to 69s Id; Mrs N. I. Kay (Duvauchelle), 3 at 59s Id to 69s Id; L. Porter (Springston), 66 at 49s 7d to 65s 7d. New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., sold: on account of J. Jelfs (Woodend), 7 at 63s Id; Mrs R. Grennell (Tuahiwi). 5 at 63s Id to 72s Id; D. and N. Court (Rangiora), 2 at 63s Id to 83s Id: Rainey Bros. (Flaxton), 30 at 66s Id to 69s Id; L. Blake (Rangiora), 28 at 63s Id to 66s Id; I. Constable (Oxford), 9 at 63s Id. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., sold: on account of B T. Inkson (Omihi), 9 at 545; W. R. Coburn (Marsden), 125 at 44s Id ic 65s Id; T. Burns (Harewood), 10 at 61s Id; Rowland Bros. (Kirwee), 18 at 49s Id to 50s Id; G. A. Ferguson (Ikamatua), 17 at 42s Id to 53s Id. Pyne, Gould. Guinness, Ltd., sold: on account of N. Breading (Rakaia). 55 at 55s Id to 62s Id; Miss E. M. Kimber (Springston), 5 at 60s Id to 68s Id; R. A. C. Rhodes (Barry’s Bay), 8 at 69s Id to 79s Id; M. J. Harnett (Kaikoura), 9 at 53s Id to 63s Id; J. G. T. Eaton (Kaikoura). 5 at 43s Id; J. F. Cracroft Wilson (Cashmere), 9 at 49s Id to 59s Id; Miss M. Lynskey (Springston), 1 at 60s Id. National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold: on account of W. T. Larkin (Rotomanu), 61 at 40s Id to 87s Id; J. F. Dobbin (Rotomanu), 30 at 38s to 575; J. A. Rothery (Rotomanu), 36 at 57s Id to 80s Id; Ryan Bros. (Rotomanu). 11 at 38s Id; A. M. Mcßride (Rotomanu), 27 at 45s Id to 76s Id; W. L. Agnew (Mana-' nui), 45 at 33s Id to 48s Id; H. Mclntosn (Ruatapu), 32 at 37s Id; W. Berwick (Tahutahi), 40 at 33s Id to 41s Id; A. W Russ (Camerons). 86 at 34s to 49s Id; VV. Clark (Southbridge), 25 at 53s Id to 60s Id. FAT SHEEP The entry of fat sheep was 6228. compared with 4062 last week. The saie opened on a par with the closing rates of last week, but deteriorated as it progressed, only the best quality wethers and ewes being in demand. Old wethers were completely neglected. Plain and unfinished ewes, the yarding of which was comparatively heavy, were particularly hard to sell, and in fact many pens were unsaleable. It was noticeable that many two-tooth ewes were included in the entry. Wethers sold up to 88s Id, which was the price paid to J. P. Smith (Springbank) for 10 sheep, and another good sale was that of L. C. Lemon (Killinchy), whose line of 48 made from 82s Id to 86s Id. Tod price for ewes went to H. Raymond Davison (Culverden) with a sale of 7 at 40s Id, and G. Mugford (Ladbrooks) sold 12 at 39s Id. Values were:— Prime heavy young wethers, 75s Id to 88s Id. Prime medium, 64s Id to 72s Id. Prime light, 54s Id to 63s Id. Extra prime butchers’ ewes, to 40s la. Extra prime ewes, 28s Id to 34s Id. Prime medium, 22s Id to 26s Id. Light and unfinished, down to 14s Id. Among sales were the following:— New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association sold: on account of J. Doucy (Domett), 15 ewes at 25s Id; Rainey Bros. (Flaxton), 68 ewes at 27s Id to 30s Id; J. Jelfs (Woodend). 55 ewes at 24s Id to 29s Id; J Everest (Springston), 19 ewes at 34s Id; N. Fisher (Oxford). 9 ewes at 27s Id, 2 young ewes at 43s Id; E. S. Sloss (Waipara). 50 young ewes at 60s Id to 70s Id; L. Blake (Rangiora), 20 wethers at 72s Id to 73s Id; M. Quigley (Geraldine). 64 wethers at 80s Id to 85s Id; Magson Bros. (Ashburton). 40 wethers at 69s Id to 75s Id: A. D. Russell (Amberley). 6 wethers at 75s Id; A. F. Croft

(Omihi), 33 wethers at 60s Id to 61s Id: Walton and Dickson (Cheviot), 8 wethers at 68s Id, 30 young ewes at 43s Id to 4 ? s 4d: Taylor (Oxford), 6 -wethers at 61s Id to 77s Id; B. Hickland (Fernside), 69 ewes at 21s Id to 27s Id; J. C. Bruce (Hororata), 14 wethers at 51s Id to □ss Id; W. Creane (Hawarden), 4 wethers at 61s Id; J. B. Ensor (Okuku), 72 ewes at 26s Id to 30s Id, 11 young ewes at 56s Id.

National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., sold: on account of M. Molloy (Moana), 12 wethers at 42s Id to 50s Id; F. A. A. Small (Governor’s Bay), 3 ewes at 26s Id and 3 young ewes at 46s Id and one wether at 40s Id; A. E. Hubbard (Greenpark), 65 wethers at 63s Id to 71s Id; W. T. Larkin (Rotomanu), 16 ewes at 26s Id; A. M. Mcßride (Rotomanu), 10 young ewes at 42s Id to 64s Id; estate R. Parsons (Springbank), 80 ewes at 25s Id to 28s; S. G. Buxton (Annat), 78 ewes at 19s Id to 30s Id, and 4 wethers at 52s Id to 69s Id; R. Gordon (Temuka), 52 wethers at 73s Id to 75s Id; Parkdale Farm (Halswell), 70 wethers at 60s Id to 74g Id; H. S. Fletcher (Waikari), 5 ewes at 22s Id; L. C. Lemon (Kilhnchy), 48 wethers at 82s Id to 86s Id; G. J. Francis (Halswell), 54 wethers at x « ld ’ J - Cameron (Halswell), 18 ewes at 20s Id; I. Barnes (Halswell), 11 wethers at 57s Id; R. Reid (Darfield), 7 wethers at 72s Id and 13 ewes at 33s Id; R. V. Collier (Annat), 2 ewes at 30s Id; L. W. Tim perley (Kaiapoi), 47 ewes at 30s; C. Andrews (Riccarton), 31 wethers at 645. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., sold: on account of G. J. Francis (Halswell), 105 wethers at 67s Id to 85s Id. Pahau Pastures Estate (Culverden), 44 ewes at 27s Id to 35s Id, 45 maiden ewes at 63s Id *° II s 10 wethers at 63s Id to 73s Id. A. M. King (Sheffield), 57 wethers at 66s Id to 75s id; D. Ryan (Darfield), 40 wethers at 56s Id to 63s Id; R. G. CopeLo nd (Ashburton), 20 wethers at 67s Id to bBs id, 8 maiden ewes at 59s Id; Wilkinson Bros. (Cheviot): 11 ewes at 22s Id to ♦ e i d ’,l young ewes at 42s Id, 1 wether at 69s Id; M. Brenderv (Rakaia); 71 ewes at 21s Id to 29s Id; J. G. Eaton (Kaikoura), 12 wethers at 73s Id to 79s Id; Miss E. M. Kember (Springston), 1 wether at 54s Id; Francis (Spreydon), 51 wethers at 68s Id to 74s Id; W. H. Mahnke (SpringsJo n). 6 wethers at 75s Id to 76s Id; R. Bethell (Culverden), 6 ewes at 28s Id; R. D - Catherwood (Swannanoa), 14 wethers at 79s id; D. Hauschild (Springston), 57 ewes at 24s Id to 34s Id; A. P 'fuer (Hororata), 7 ewes at 21s Id to 28s Id; G. “Arrows (Kaikoura), 3 maiden ewes at 60s Id; M. Chilton and Sons (Belfast), 6 ewes at 31s Id; J. Haywood (Robinsons Bay), 11 ewes at 33s Id to 34s Id; H. C. aiaey (Hawarden). 6 young ewes at 32s Id to 42s Id; J. Schroeder (Kaikoura), 4 wethers at 79s Id; H. R. Roxburgh Waiau) 12 maiden ewes at 49s Id to 69s Id; estate E. Frizzell (Swannanoa), 9 wethers at 65s Id to 70s Id; G. E Croft (Oxford), 24 ewes at 27s Id to 31s Id. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., sold:, on account of Ron Thompson (Rutherford, Oxford): 82 ewes at 22s Id to 26s Id; H Raymond Davison (Culverden). 35 ewes ? -l d to 40s ld> 10 young ewes at 50s Id to o6sld; B. T. Inkson (Omihi), 57 twon2ot^ e * we^ at ® ls ld to 64s ld > 23 ewes at 26s Id to 335; J. O. Ferguson (Annat). 106 owes at 17s Id to 27s Id; L. A. Ferguson (Annat) 20 wethers at 70s Id to 75s Id; E nP a -^ er (Darfield), 30 ewes at 25s id to 30s Id: J. M. Pearce (Lowcliffe), 52 wethers at 51s Id to 68s Id; M. Douglas (AmJperiey), 11 wethers at 58s Id, 21 ewes at 22s Id to 27s Id; J. S. Thompson (Kirwee), 30 wethers at 58s Id to 72s Id; F. L. Holmes (Oxford), 31 ewes at 23s Id; T. C. Gough (Greendale), 28 ewes at 20s Id to ♦ Jp\.P oole y (Whitecliffs), 20 ewes a t Jr d ’v 4 ? wethers at 61s Id to 68s Id; AJ- W. Inkson (Waikari), 7 ewes at 29s I « d ’ 2 young owes at 56s Id; estate G. Van oo h £ Ho ? n Ha y>. 7 ewes at 37s Id; estate a V. Ta y. lor (Woodend),,6 ewes at 27s Id; A. C Witty (Templeton), 17 wethers at

H. Matson and Company sold: on acE - Hin (Mtthven), 11 wethers at 72s Id; estate T. W. Brooks (Brook?L de) - x. 31 ewes at ?Os ld to 31s Id and 10 wethers at 85s Id; J. Leslie (Ashbur--12 wethers at 67s Id; F. McGiffert (Sefton), 16 wethers at 70s Id to 77s Id; e ! ta J-, H - Rid Se (Rakaia). 28 wethers at 57s Id to 59s Id; J. H. B. Farr (Oxford), 30 ewes at 24s Id; McTeigue Bros. (Halswell), 38 ewes at 31s Id; N. W. Skurr (Oxford), 31 ewes at 26s Id; P. H. Pratt•ey (Mt. Grey Downs), 6 wethers at 51s Air v; Ware (Greenpark), 10 ewes at 29s Id; R. W. Reed 'Oxford), 5 ewes at 34s id and 4 wethers at 81s ld; E. Black (Papanui). 5 ewes at 30s Id; R. G. Rainey (Woodend), 6 wethers at 72s Id; C. Dy,?lock (Waikuku), 6 ewes at 34s Id to 35s Id 9 young ewes at 42s Id to 53s Id. and 1 wether at 72s Id; H. May and Company (Balcairn), 3 ewes at 27s Id and 26 wethers at 67s ld to 74s Id; W. R. Lilley (Hawarden), 11 wethers at 70s Id to 77s Id; A. J. Mollinson (Oratika), 17 wethers at 60s Id to 64s Id; G. Leslie (Ashburton), 47 wethers at 65s Id to 72s Id- A Sparks (Halswell), 24 wethers at 79s Id to 81s Id; G. J. Francis (Hals Well 21 wethers at 63s Id to 70s Id; M. J. Wellwood (Hamilton avenue), 29 wethers at 55s Id to 62s Id; W. Sutherland (Tai Tapu), 7 wethers at 51s Id to ld. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency sold: on account of D. Michael (Kilhnchy), 17 ewes at 23s Id to 31s Id; E- Upston (Dunsandel), 16 ewes at 19s Id to 30s; G. Moore and Son (Linco!!!), 53 ewes at 19; Id to 29s Id; Misses M. S and A. Welsh (Tai Tapu), 100 ewes at 21s Id to 31s Id; G. Mugford (Ladbrooks), 17 ewes at 36s Id to 39s Id, 32 hoggets at 55s ld to 63s Id, and 13 wethers at 58s Id to 69s Id; C. Page and Sor (Courtenay), 5 young ewes at 44s Id; I W. Plaskett, 29 ewes at 15s Id to 28s Id J. A. Jamieson (Cust), 46 ewes at 14s If to 19s Id; L. Sandrey (Mount Somers), ; young ewes at 33s Id to 44s Id. and r wethers at 64s Id; J. P. Smith (Spring bank), 80 wethers at 67s Id to 88s Id. FAT CATTLE A smaller entry helped to revive prices for beef. The offering totalled 345 head, compared with 430 head a week ago. Quality, apart from one or two lines, was very mediocre. All classes of cattle from top quality steer beef down to boner cow's, sold at improved rates. Best class steer beef appreciated up to £2 to £3 a head, with medium and lower quality up 30s. The pick of the heifers were also up by £2 m 1 a kead - .and medium quality, though not showing so pronounced an upward movement, were also better by 20s to 30s. All classes of cows, including the manufacturing sorts, shared in a price rise of around 20s to 30s a head Steers sold up to £44 2s 6d for one from H. Banks (Coutts Island). The same price W'as also paid to another vendor. A line of 20 steers from F. Coop (Ataahua), which sold up to £4"’ 17s 6d. averaged £4l 17s a head. Heifers realised up to £3l 2s 6d for a single beast from Spreydon Lodge (Halswell). R. C. Mason and Son (Okain’s Bay) sold a cow at £29 7s 6d and H. Reid (Bennetts) sold another cow at £29 0s 6d. Best steer beef sold at £5 5s to £5 10s per 1001 b, and medium up to 955; best heifer beef at £5 5s to £5 7s 6d and medium at 90s to 955; best cow beef at 80s to 85s and boner cow at 72s 6d to 755. Values were:— Extra prime steers, to £44 2s 6d. Prime, £33 10s to £4O 10s. Prime medium-weight, £27 to £32. Ordinary and light, down to £l6. Extra prime heifers, to £3l 2s 6d. Prime, £26 to £3O. Medium, £lB 10s to £24 10s. Ordinary and plain, down to £l4. Extra prime cows, to £29 7s 6d. Prime, £22 to £26 10s. Medium, £l7 to £2l. Ordinary and plain, down to £l3. Representative sales were:— National Mortgage and Agency sold: on account of A. J. Scott (Coalgate), 2 cows at £25 12s 6d to £27 17s 6d; R. B. Allison (Fernside), 3 cows at £l7 17s 6d to £lB 2s 6d, 2 steers at £2l 17s 6d to £26 7s 6d; G. T. Smith (Waiau), 8 cows at £l3 7s 6d to £l6 7s 6d; R. Gordon (Temuka), 6 steers at £37 2s 6d to £44 2s 6d; Lands and Survey Department (Molesworth), 9 steers at £25 7s 6d to £33 17s 6d; estate James Reid, Ltd. (Darfield), 1 steer at £2O 17s 6d; G. C. Jacobs (Ikamatua), 1 cow at £lB 17s 6d, W. R. Early (Sockburn), 1 cow at £l3 2s 6d; S. M. Wright (Ashley), 1 cow at £lB 12s 6d.

H. Matson and Company sold: on account of S. Hoskins (Doyleston), 7 steers at £32 12s 6d to £39 2s 6d and 2 cows at £l4 17s 6d and £22 12s 6d; Glenmore Farm Company (Halswell), 5 steers at £29 12s 6d to £34 2s 6d; estate Q. A. Wright (Annat), 4 cows at £lO 17s 6d to £l9 17s 6d; W. Boon (Halswell), 5 cows at £l3 12s 6d to £lB 17s 6d, 1 heifer at £2l 2s 6d; N. Skurr (Oxford), 1 cow at £27 12s 6d: H. Reid (Bennetts). 1 cow at £29 2s 6d; Spreydon Lodge (Halswell), 2 heifers at £27 2s 6d to £3l 2s 6d, 1 cow at £2O 17s 6d; S. Henderson (Burwood), 1 heifer at £24 12s 6d: L. Wheeler (Burwood). 1 cow at £lB 7s 6d; G. R. McGiffert (Sefton), 2 cows at £l7 17s 6d to £2l 12s 6d; G. Smith (Ashley Bank). 2 cows at £l6 12s 6d to £l7 2s 6d. 1 heifer at £l4 2s 6d; R. Dunkley (Ashbujton), 11 heifers at £l7 17s 6d to £24 17s 6d; A. W. Hinton (Weedons 1. 1 cow at £l9 7s 6d; Stockdale Brothers, 1 cow at £lB 12s 6d, 2 heifers at £l3 7s 6d; A. T. Begg (Beach road), 2 steers at £lB 17s 6d. 3 heifers at £l7 17s 6d to £23 2s 6d; J. Johnson (Woodend), 2 steers at £l9 17s 6d, 1 heifer at £l5 12s 6d; K. E. A. Shadbolt (Duvauchelle). 1 cow at £l7 17s 6d: S. Weaver (Killinchy), 1 cow at £23 17s 6d: estate F. J. McCormick (Lakeside), 3 cows at £l2 2s 6d to £lB 2s 6d; R. G. Rainey (Woodend), 1 cow at«'£2l 2s 6d:

L. Tullett (Marshland), 1 cow at £22 7s 6d; Mrs E. E. McMillan (Kaiapoi), 1 cow at £2l 2s 6d. Dalgety and Company sold: on account of T. E. Nolan (Wataroa), 10 heifers at £l5 17s 6d to £25 7s 6d; K. P. Ivey (West Melton), 1 cow at £27 17s 6d; Estate H. Lissaman (Seddon), 9 steers at £26 17s 6d to £37 2s 6d; Watson and Topp (Waipara), 3 cows at £l4 17s 6d to £23 2s 6d; D. L. Prouse (Springbank), 1 cow at £l5 7s 6d and 1 heifer at £lB 12s 6d; Estate E. S. Taylor (Woodend), I steer at £37 17s. 6d. New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Ltd., sold: on account G. H. Eaves (Hawarden), 7 steers at £2O 12s 6d to £23 17s 6d. 1 heifer at £lB 2s 6d; F. G. Collin (Greendale), 1 cow at £l9 12s 6d. 1 heifer at £l3 2s 6d; Estate J. R. D. Johns (Belfast), 4 cows at £l9 12s 6d to £23 12s 6d; A. J. Blakely (Glasneyin), 4 steers at £2O 17s 6d, 7 heifers at £2O 2s 6d to £23 17s 6d, 6 cows at £l3 7s 6d to £l9 12s 6a; J. f. Lochhead (Oifiihi), 8 cows at £l9 17s 6d to £26 7s 6d, 2 heifers at £l9 17s 6d: R. F. Whitham (Waipara), 2 steers at £39 12s 6d, 1 heifer at £27 17s 6d; R. Lindsay (Waipara). 1 steer at £32 2s 6d; J. W. Watson (Rangiora), 1 cow at £23 7s 6d; E. Inch (Rangiora), 1 cow at £lO 12s 'id; W. S. Fairbairn (Woolston), 2 cows at £l6 17s 6d to £25 12s 6d; L. P. Manion (Weedons). 1 heifer at £22 2s 6d; N. Meldrum (Oxford), 1 cow at £l5 17s 6d; L. P. Manion (Weedons), 1 cow at £25 17s 6d; Don C. Milne (Fernside). 2 cows at £l7 2s 6d; R. C. Mason ana Son (Okains Bay). 1 cow at £29 7s 6d. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., sold: on account of C. J. Hende (Hari Hari), 8 steers at £29 2s 6d to £42 2s 6d; F. Dennehy (Wataroa), 8 steers at £22 12s 6d to £29h 12s 6d: H. Banks (Coutts Island,, 6 steers at £4l 2s 6d to £44 2s 6d; N. Breading (Te Perita), 1 cow at £l4 12s 6d. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency sold: on account of F. Coop (Ataahua), 20 steers at £39 17s 6d to £42 17s 6d; J. P Smith (Springbank), 4 steers at £l9 17$ 6d, 1 cow at £2l 7s 6d; M. Woodfield (Horrelville), 1 steer at £22 17s 6d; K. Daly (Mina), 1 cow at £2l 17s 6d. STORE CATTLE The main interest in the store cattle pens was on a line of 128 three and fouryear Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cross and Hereford steers from the Lands and Survey Department (Molesworth). These attractive-locking cattle were among the first of the sizeable lines of cattle to come forward at the autumn store sales at Addington. They made the store entry the best one for some considerable time. In comparison with last year’s values they sold cheaply, but rates for all cattie are now lower and the sustained dry spell has set a further damper on the market. This has resulted in a new level of values being set. Seventy-one of the Molesworth Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cross steers realised from £lB 6s to £27 8s 6d. Four of the seven pens of blacks were in the £lB 6s to £l9 18s 6d price range. The 57 Herefords realised from £l7 8s 6d to £l9 3s. At the end of March last year Molesworth cattle sold as follows:—Hereford cross steers at £35 Is. Aberdeen Angus and Aberdeen Angus-Hereford cross at £32 18s 6d to £36 8s 6d. DAIRY CATTLE The dairy cattle yarding totalled about 55 head, the bulk of which were heifers of secondary quality. For these heifers the market was lifeless, with frequent passings, and sales could only be made at reduced prices. The few well-grown Friesian heifers met a better sale than the poorer sorts, but they were also below last week’s rates. The cows on offer were good, serviceable sorts, but prices for these were hardly up to those ruling at the last sale. Best second, third, and fourth calvers realised from £2l to £2B. with one sale at £35; medium £l4 to £l9, and rough and inferior down to £9 or £lO. The best of the heifers ranged from £24 to £2B, with an odd sale of extra good quality at up to £35; medium £lB to £23, and rough and inferior down to £lO. VEALERS There was again a large offering of veal and as a result prices receded to the levels of about two weeks ago. During the sale they dropped back by about £2 a head. The sale opened on an easier tone, and there was a further weakening as the sale went along, so that at the end sales were hard to make. The best of the calves met a fairly good sale, but anything that was rough and unsuitable for butchers’ requirements was saleable only at low rates. Values were:— —Good large runners, £lB to £2l; smaller good runners, £l6 to £l7 18s 6d; heavy, good vealers, £l3 to £l5 Is; medium-sized good vealers, £9 18s 6d to £l2 18s 6d; and small, good vealers, £7 18s 6d to £9 18s 6d; large, rough runners. £l4 to £l6 Is; medium-sized rough runners. £lO 18s 6d to £l3 18s 6d; and lighter rough runners, £8 to £lO 18s 6d; and small calves, 50s to £5 18s 6d. FAT PIGS The porker entry was the smallest for several weeks, and the quality was the best for some considerable time. Included in the entry were two trucks from outside districts. Baconers were forwarded in medium numbers and the sale for both pork and bacon was exceptionally good. Choppers again came forward in large numbers, and values showed little change. Values were:— Light porkers, £5 14s 6d to £6 14s 6d. Medium porkers, £6 19s 6d to £7 14s 6d. Heavy porkers, £8 2s 6d to £8 17s 6d. Choppers, £6 8s 6d to £l4 Is. Light baconers, £9 9s 6d to £lO 4s 6d. Medium baconers, £lO 10s 6d to £ll 17s 6d. Heavy baconers, £l2 4s 6d to £l4 3s 6d. STORE PIGS The entry in the store pig section was much smaller than last week, and again consisted mainly of medium and good quality weaners. A few more pens of medium and large stores were yarded. The attendance of buyers was much smaller and although competition was fairly good, values showed little change on recent rates. Values were:— Small weaners, 10s to 20s. Best weaners, 25s to 40s. Slips, 42s to 50s. Small and medium stores, 52s to 70s. Large stores, 85s to 105 s.

ASHBURTON OPEN EWE FAIR

Because of the dry conditions in MidCanterbury there was not much demand for sheep offered at the Ashburton open ewe fair held at Tinwald yesterday. There was a good attendance at the fair, but there were not many buyers, and several pens were passed in at auction. Although there were some good sales, prices for the general run of sheep were down on recent rates. There was a yarding of about 11,000 sheep, with a smaller percentage of dealers’ sheep than usual. Top price was £5 for 84 two-tooth Romneys. Medium two-tooths sold from 60s to 755, and good up to 85s. The best sale of four-year-old sneep reported was 52s 6d for a pen of 72. Medium quality sold from 38s to 435, and good up to 52s 6d. One station line of 395 four-year Corriedales (pre-lamb shorn) sold at* 40s 6d to 41s, and another of 268 at 41s, while a pen of 115 brought 50s. TEMUKA “The Press” Special Service TIMARU. March 13. Values appreciated fully £2 a head in the offering of 80 head of fat cattle at the Temuka stock sale today. Two races of fat sheep met a quiet inquiry from butchers and exporters, with values easing 2s to 3s a head. Quality was not outstanding in the 400 fat lambs offered, but each lot changed hands. The offering of store sheep was the largest this year, and comprised a mixed penning of lambs, wethers and ewes. Taken overall the demand was a sluggish one and, with the exception of an odd pen, values barely held their own. Values were:— Fat cattle: fat steers, good £33 to £3B 12s 6d; medium £27 to £32 17s 6d; light £2O 12s 6d to £26 17s 6d. Fat heifers: medium £lB to £24 12s 6d. Fat cowsgood £2l 17s 6d to £25 2s 6d; medium £l7 to £2O 17s 6d; light £lO to £l6. Store cattle: bulls £9 to £23 10s; three-year-old steers to £23 10s: Fat sheep and lambs: fat weathers, good 79s to 87s Id; medium 70s to 78s; light 60s Id to 69s lOd. Fat ewes: good 34s to 40s; medium 27s to 335; light 20s to 26s Fat lambs 51s to 63s Id. Store sheep: two-tooth ewes, best 75s to 88s; medium 70s to 745; small 50s to 655. Four and five-year-old ewes 30s to 455. Wether lambs, best 33s to 375; others 12s to 325. METHVEN EWE FAIR About 7370 ewe lambs were yarded for the second day of the Methven ewe fair on Monday. Most of the entry was of Romneys, with a fe'». halfbreds and Romnev cross lambs. Top price was 68s, secured by Mr B. Cotterell, of Mount Hutt, for a line of 251 well-bred good-conditioned Romney ewe lambs. Last year's top price was 925. The price range with that for 1955 in parenthesis, was:—Extra good,'6ss to 68s (80s to 925); good, 54s to 63s (65s to 78s); others, 37s to 50s (48s to 635). Among the sales were:— Romney ewe lambs: B. Cotterell, 251 at

68s; H. R. Huddleston, 84 to 525, 57 at 50s; B. H. Pridie. 120 at 665, 82 at 535; B. M. Murdoch. 101 at 565, 95 at 48s; L. H. Broom. 77 at 60s, 197 at 55s 6d. 1000 at 435; Logan Brothers. 140 at 595; Lands and Survey Dept. (“Rosehill”). 96 at 60s. 127 at 61s, 68 at 425; G. R. Fittock, 101 at 48s, T. I. Perry. 173 at 655; G. W. Grant, 80 at 395: G. I. Lili, 77 at 625; G. H. Taylor, 102 at 82s; C. E. Totty, 159 at 55b. Halfbred.—S. O. Snnons. 45 at