ADDINGTON MARKET Fat Ewes Sell Strongly; Cattle Easier

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 20

ADDINGTON MARKET Fat Ewes Sell Strongly; Cattle Easier

There was a variable trend about prices at Addington market yesterday.

Fat ewes sold to as much as 6s above last week’s prices and after a weak start fat wethers improved by up to 4s. There were some very good quality well-woolled fat sheep offered and competition was quite keen. However, in the fat lamb pens, prices appeared to be almost on a par with last week at the outset, but slipped several shillings as the sale progressed to be as much as 6s lower than the previous market’s realisations.

Values for a moderate sized yarding of store sheep were about on a par with late rates. One of the first sales of ewes and lambs was made at 43s all counted.

Fat cattle were yarded in larger numbers and the general quality of the offering was good. Over-all prices tended to be slightly easier, but observers were cautious about whether this might mean that the peak of the cattle market had now been reached: it was from this stage last year that the market really rocketed. One man said that while cattle were now coming forward nicely as a result of the mild conditions, the trouble might come later if there was not more rain soon to stimulate growth in the spring. The mild trend of the weather quickened the market for store cattle and values for cattle showing any breeding jumped by as much as 40s a head and in cases more. Store Sheep Values for a smaller yarding of store sheep were very similar to last week. The sale, which attracted sheep of average to good quality, was followed by a moderate sized gallery. The yarding totalled 2165, compared with 3057 last week and Included 1337 store lambs (932 last week), 125 two-tooth ewes (275), 520 older ewes (1435) and 183 wethers (415). The sale was notable for the first sizeable offering of ewes and lambs this season. The line consisted of 18 woolly five-year-old halfbred ewes with 20 tailed Southdown cross lambs at foot from W. Hinton (Templeton) and they fetched 43s all counted. The lambs varied a little in size, but there were some quite good lambs among them. Values for both ewe and wether hoggets or lambs were very much in line with those paid last week. The selection, which was bigger than last week, included a few good quality pens among a number of pens containing a handful of sheep. Quite a few pens of lambs were to hand from the West Coast.

The best of the woolly ewe lambs sold from 77s fid to 88s for Romneys, with average to good selling to 655, and others at 41s to 49s 6d.

Romneys predominated In the wether lamb offering and the best of those in the wool sold from 60s to 645, with good at 53s to 57s 6d and others down to 445. Early shorn Romney entries brought from about 53s to 56s 6d, and early shorn or woolly fine wools ranged from 48s 6d to 58s. Down cross lambs in the wool sold from about 45s to 51s.

Details of sales of lambs quoted by stock firms are:— K. Lattimore (Ashburton), 257 Romney ewe lambs at 77s 6d to 84s; N. K. Young (Kaikoura), 58 Romney ewe lambs at 655; J. C. Denham (Hawarden), 42 Corriedale ewe lambs at 49s 6d; A. G. Moorhead (Southbridge), 142 Romney wether lambs at 57s 6d to 61s; L. K. and estate G. E. Muirson (Fisherman's Bay), 56 shorn Romney wether lambs at 56s 6d; T. D. McNeill (Weedons), 46 shorn Romney wether lambs at 61s.

Two . good pens of well-grown and well-woolled two-tooth ewes were included in the market. Fifty-seven Romneys mated to

Romney rams and due to begin lambing at the middle of the month brought £5 2s. They were from H. P. Donaldson (Cheviot). There were also 68 Corriedales mated to Southdown rams from T. E. M. Brooks (Brookside), which realised 92s fid. In the older ewe section there was another consignment of woolly halfbreds mated with Southdown rams from the Mackenzie Country and bringing from 67s to 69s they sold at very similar levels to last week when the tops made 71s. The bulk of the offering comprised fine wool ewes and they mainly hold at 60s or better.

Sales of ewes quoted by stock firms included:—

I. H. Wardell (Lake Pukakl), 273 halfbred ewes In lamb to Southdown rams at 67s to 695. There was a small offering of woolly fine wool and Romney two-tooth wethers and these sold from 60s to 64s for the best with others at 53s 6d to 575. Fat Lambs Although the fat lamb market was about firm on late rates at the outset, values slipped throughout the sale and competition became more and more restricted as the market progressed. By the end of the sale values were between 3s and 6s back on last week's prices, many pens being passed because of the lack of competition.

However, in the earlier stages the heavier, woolly, type of lambs sold quite readily, with several pens of well-fleeced sheep bringing more than £5. One pen realised £5 10s Id but this was an exceptional sale. The market for the lighter and medium-weight lambs was never very strong and It was only the better class of lamb that commanded attention. Quite a percentage of the offering of 2667 head, compared with 2199 last week, was made up of lighter and inferior sorts. The larger yarding was one of reasons given for the slackening in prices. A few pens of spring lambs were Included in the entry and these sold up to 73s Id for the best.

Values were:—Woolly and early shorn: best, 96s Id to £5 5s Id (with odd sales at up to £5 10s Id); good, 83s Id to 94s Id: medium, 71s Id to 82s Id; light, 64s Id to 70s Id. Late shorn: best, 71s Id to 80s Id; medium to good, 63s Id to 70s Id: light, up to 62s Id. Spring lambs, good, 66s Id to 73s Id; others, down to 59s Id. Best sales quoted by stock firms included:—R. J. Burton (Ashburton), 34 early shorn at 80s Id to 98s Id; E. G. Evans (Fernside), 34 early shorn at 84s Id to 86s Id; E. A. Mangin and Son (Methven), 70 early shorn at 77s Id to 84s Id; J. A. Pankhurst (Sandy Knolls), 57 early shorn at 83s Id to 85s Id: Miss K. Wheeler (Sefton), 2 woolly at £5 10s Id; J. S. Bowker (Amberley), 17 at 93s Id to 98s Id: J. A. Langdon (Ashburton). 33 late shorn at 73s Id to 79s Id; J. F. Cairns (Ashburton), 24 late shorn at 73s Id; M. R. Dolan (Rakaia), 35 at 84s Id to 93s Id; B. F. and M. D. Rooney (Winchmore), 70 early shorn at 85s Id to 97s Id; Clarkson Brothers (Mount Hutt), 40. early shorn at 90s Id to 91s Id; I. Boulton (Horrelvllle), 9 early shorn at 86s Id: E. A. J. Wilson (Burnham), 25 at 87s Id to 92s Id: D. E. Killey (Ashburton), 10 early shorn at 92s Id; J. Martin (Rakaia), 3 spring lambs at 70s Id; R. J. McCoy (Rakaia), 8 spring lambs at 66s Id to 68s Id: J. E. Christie (Southbridge), 7 spring lambs at 60s Id to 67s Id; F. R. Bebbington (Ashburton), 12 woolly at 91s Id to 92s Id; R. C. Wright (Ashley), 31 early shorn at 96s Id to £5 2s Id; J. Langdon (Ashburton), 21 woolly at £5 0s Id to £5 3s Id; J. Gunn (Darfield), 2 late shorn at 76s Id; estate A. O. Worner (Oxford), 5 woolly at 97s Id, 12 early shorn at 81s Id; M. Quigley (Geraldine), 29 late shorn at 71s Id to 73s Id; L. Pritchard (Rangiora). 27 early shorn at 84s Id to 85s Id; A. Dynes (Seafield), 3 spring lambs at 73s Id; R. J. Wallace (Seafield). 3 spring lambs at 70s Id; J. H. Winter (Swannanoa), 2 spring lambs at 65s Id to 73s Id. Fat Sheep In spite of about 700 more coming forward, the market for most classes of fat sheep was sound. Fat ewes particularly, enjoyed a very brisk demand at values as much as 5s and 6s above ruling rates. Two-tooth wethers appeared easier at the outset of the sale, but firmed as the market progressed and, with the help of outside competition in the closing stages, were ,3s to 4s above last week and in some cases slightly more.

The offering totalled 2518, compared with 1730 last week, and included many lines of good quality ewes and wethefs. Most of the ewes were carrying a fair amount of wool, which helped the demand and woolly wethers were also more keenly sought than their shorn counterparts. Woolly four-tooth wethers sold to £5 Ils Id, while twotooth wethers passed the £5 mark on several occasions. The best of the ewes sold for more than 80s.

Values were:— Prime heavy woolly two-tooth wethers, 96s to £5 4s Id.

Prime good woolly two-tooth wethers, 85s Id to 95s Id.

Prime medium woolly twotooth wethers, 75s Id to 84s Id. Prime light woolly two-tooth wethers, up to 73s Id. Best late shorn two-tooth wethers, up to 76s Id. Best woolly four-tooth wethers, 94s Id to £5 Ils Id. Good woolly four-tooth wethers, 78s Id to 90s Id. Other ■ woolly four-tooth wethers, down to 60s Id. Best older Woolly wethers, 84s Id to 92s Id.

Other older woolly wethers, up to 76s Id. Best shorn four-tooth wethers, up-to 73s Id. Best woolly butchers' ewes, 80s Id to 87s Id.

Medium woolly butchers ewes, 69s Id to 79s Id.

Light ewes, down to 43s Id. Included among jthe leading sales quoted by stock firms were the following: Wethers: M. V. Poff (Methven), 18 two-tooths at 91s Id to £5 Os Id: Gudex Bros. (Whiterock), 11 two-tooths at 91s Id to 98s Id, 12 four-tooths at 82s Id to 88s Id: J. B. DouglasClifford (Stonyhurst), 49 earlyshorn two-tooths at 90s Id to 95s Id: K. Wells (Oxford), 10 two-tooths at 90s Id; D. L. Ensor (Glenrock), • 70 station wethers at 88s Id to 90s Id; Double Hill Station (Methven). 92 station wethers at 88s Id to 90s Id: Woodstock Station (Oxford). 55 station wethers at 87s Id to 92s Id: D. A. Adams (Southbridge). 10 two-tooths at 98s Id, 6 fourtooths at 94s Id; G. A. Ridgen (Greendale), 10 four-tooths at £5 Os Id to £5 3s Id; J. S. Bowker (Amberley), 4 two-

tooths at 98s Id: Wilson Brothers (Halkett), 21 early-shorn two-tooths at 91s Id to 95s Id; D. J. and J. Stewart (Rakaia). 9 two-tooths at £5 4s Id, 17 four-tooths at 94s id to 98s Id: E. A. J. Wilson (Burnham), 5 four-tooths at £5 6s Id: J. H. Love (Omihi), 4 two-tooths at £5 4s Id, 8 four-tooths at £5 Ils Id: W. Martin (Rakaia), 13 twotooths at 93s Id to 94s Id.

Ewes: D. G. Edge (Oxford), 64 at 7gs Id to 85s Id; C. W. Powell (Irwell), 16 at 74s Id; D. and N. J. Cromle (Rakaia). 8 at 82s Id; Rakaia Island Run, Ltd. (Southbridge), 46 at 76s Id to 78s Id; Hunter Estate, Ltd. (Brookside), 6 at 77s Id; A. Ravenwood (Kaiapoi), 15 at 77s Id;- J. Ashworth (Leithfield), 22 at 81s Id to 82s Id; L. W. Timperley (Riccarton), 43 at 79s Id to 80s Id; G. J. Marshall (Ashburton), 15 at 79s Id; R. W. Skurr (Sheffield), 28 at 79s Id; A. A. C. McPherson and Son (Lakeside). 27 at 77s Id to 81s Id; D. J. and J. Stewart (Rakaia), 38 at 79s Id to 83s Id:' R. E. Tarbotton (Ashburton), 6 at 81s Id; I. Boulton (Horrelville), 10 at 76s Id to 77s Id; A. W. C. McPherson (Southbridge), 11 at 79s Id; T. I. Perry (Rakaia), 17 at 78s Id to 83s Id; T. W. Tyson (Springston), 9 at 79s Id: W. Martin (Rakaia), 6 at 78s Id; R. J. McCoy (Rakaia), 45 at 74s Id to 81s Id: M. Ryan (Springston), 13 at 79s Id; D. E. Rankin (Ashburton), 8 at 80s Id; R. F. Lochhead (Broadfields), 47 at 82s Id to 84s Id: J. D. Gallagher (Rakahuri), 3 at 77s Id; A. Vincent (Harewood), *27 at 73s Id to 77s Id; G. W. Reid (WOodend), 14 at 77s Id. Fat Cattle There was an easing tendency in the fat cattle pens where there was an increased offering of 389 head compared with 297 last week. Once again quality was good and In fact was not far short of last week’s selection of show cattle. For once, also, the supply was sufficient for the requirements of the trade.

Opinions varied a little on the exact state of the market. Some put the sale as very close to late rates while others held the view that there was an allround easing of from 20s to 30s on all classes, except perhaps in the case of the odd top quality animal which brought a high price. Over-all the market could be described as from par to cheaper. Prime heavy-weight steer beef realised from £7 10s to £8 5s per 1001 b, prime medium-weight steer beef £8 to £8 15s, and plain and light steer beef £8 15s to £7 12s 6d; prime heavy-weight heifer beef £7 7s fid to £B, prime medium-weight heifer beef £7 17s fid to £8 10s, and plain and light heifer beef £6 17s 6d to £7 7s 6d; prime butchers’ cow beef £5 7s fid to £6 5s and secondary cow beef £4 12s 6d to £5 ss. Values were:— Prime heavy steers, £64 7s 6d to £7O 2s 6d. Prime medium steers, £52 17s 6d to £62 17s 6d. Prime light steers, £4l 17s fid to £5O 12s fid. Plain and light steers, £32 17s fid to £4O 7s 6d. Prime heavy heifers, £43 2s 6d to £4B 7s 6d. Prime medium heifers, £33 17s 6d to £4O 2s 6d. Plain and light heifers, £2l 2s fid to £3l 7s 6d. Prime heavy cows, £34 2s 6d to £4O 17s 6d. Prime medium Cows, £29 12s 6d to £33 17s 6d. Plain and light cows, £2l 7s 6d to £2B 7s fid. Leading sales quoted by stock firms Included:— Steers: Bradley's Estate (Charteris Bay), 8 at £65 12s 6d to £67 2s 6d; R. T. Masefield (Goughs Bay). 2 at £7O 2s fid; F. H. Shipley (Harewood), 7 at £64 17s fid to £66 2s 6d; L. G. Witte (Teddington), 5 at £64 7s 6d to £66 17s 6d; W. D. Walker (Dunsandel), 5 two-year-olds at £5l 2s 6d; K. A. Rhodes (Flea Bay), 1 at £6B 17s 6d; I. McRae (Ellesmere), 2 at £6B 2s 6d. Heifers: E. G. Bird (Pendarves), 2 at £4O 2s 6d; R. D. Andrew (Motunau), 9 at £3B 17s 6d to £4l 17s fid; D. C. Reid (Ohoka), 1 at £45 17s 6d; D. Leslie (Halswell), 1 at £4O 2s 6d; J. R. Wilson (Hanmer), 1 at £44 2s 6d; K. A. Rhodes (Flea Bay), 6 at £47 2s 6d to £4B 7s 6d; A. T. M. Thacker (Okains Bay), 11 at £44 17s 6d to £45 2s 6d.

Cows: R. T. Masefield (Goughs Bay), 4 at £39 7s 6d: G. Wright (Annat), 1 at £3B 12s 8d: H. Donnell (New Brighton), 1 at £36 7s 6d; Kay Bros. (Duvauchelle), 1 at £34 17s 6d; D. B. Stevenson (Hanmer), 1 at £35 17s fid; B. Jarman (Darfield), 1 at £33 7s 6d; K. A. Rhodes (Flea Bay), 2 at £34 17s 6d to £4O 17s 6d; R. Moore (Ashburton), 1 at £36 2s fid. Store Cattle There was a much brighter tone about the store cattle market, apparently attributable to the continuing mild type of winter weather. The sale was followed by a good gallery and for all well bred cattle there was a ready demand at rates which looked to be 40s to as much as 60s better than late rates. Calves, in-calf cows and two-year-old steers all shared in the general advance. The offering totalled 168 head, compared with 141 last week, but it was still made up of mainly secondary quality cattle. Two-year-old steers sold to £35 8s 6d, in-calf cows ranged from £25 8s 6d to £2B 3s 6d, steer calves realised from £l6 8s 6d to £23 3s 6d, and heifer calves from £l3 18s 6d to £l9 18s 6d. On the other hand boner cows tended to be a little cheaper.. The best of these sold from £l7 18s 6d to £2O 18s 6d, average £l5 18s 6d to £l7 13s 6d, and lighter boners down to £lO 8s 6d. Quotable sales included: Fairweather and Cresswell (Kaikoura), 24 Aberdeen Angus cows in-calf to Aberdeen Angus bull at £25 8s 6d to £2B 3s 6d; M. Dolan (Rakaia), 8 two-year-old Aberdeen Angus Hereford cross steers at £35 8s 6d; N. A. Vowles (Hanmer), 17 Aberdeen Angus steer calves at £23 8s 6d, 12 heifer calves at £l9 18s fid. Bulk Of the eight bulls offered, compared with only five last week, seven were sold. Although one or two large cattle came forward, the quality, with the exception of the odd Aberdeen Angus, was only fair and in some cases Inferior. A large Friesian topped the market at £66 7s 6d, while a good sized black bull realised £57 7s fid. Other medium to large bulls made from £37 Ss fid to £5O 17s 6d. with the smaller and lighter sorts selling at £2B 13s fid to £33 17s fid. Dairy Cattle There was more life about the dairy cattle market which attracted a larger entry. The offering at 37 head. Including about 25 cows and 12 heifers, was the largest for some time. Quality was generally quite good. From the outset there seemed to be better competition and the sale could be described as being a highly satisfactory one. Best second, third and fourth cal vers (all Friesians) made from £37 to £44, and up to £49 for one advertised cow, medium cows ranged from £3O to £36 and aged and inferior sold from £22 to £32. The pick of the Friesian heifers sold from £4O to £44, with medium sorts at £32 to £39 and small and backward down to £25. Vealers The veal entry at about 140 head compared with 70 to 75 last week comprised mainly

secondary quality cattle and a few small calves. For the odd pen of better quality cattle values were about on a par, but other sorts were possibly cheaper by 10s to 15s a. head. Best vealers realised from £29 2s fid to £32 7s fid, with an odd sale to £34 I7s fid, medium vealers £24 7s fid to £27 2s fid, and smaller vealers £l9 2s fid to £22 12s 6d; best calves £lB 7s 6d to £22 2s fid. medium calves £l4 2s fid to £l7 7s 6d, smaller calves £7 2s 6d to £ll 7s 6d, and bobbies from 255. Fat Pigs There was a fairy entry in the pork section of the fat pig market, with quality again somewhat mixed. Best quality porkers met a good demand, with values firm on last week’s good rates, but second quality, unfinished, short and overfat pigs were harder to sell, with values easier than those of previous markets. The type sought after must have length and be finished, but not too fat. There was a very small bacon entry, and prices remained on a par. The chopper entry was small, but consisted of some good quality pigs, and values were fully firm. Values were:— Light porkers, £6 Os 6d to £7 Is 6d. Medium porkers, £7 12s fid to £8 15s fid. Heavy porkers, £8 19s fid to £9 13s fid. Light baconers, £lO 5s 6d to £ll 2s fid. Medium and heavy baconers. £ll Ils fid to £l3 18s 6d (with a few top pens making to £l4 6s 6d). Unfinished choppers, £2 3s 6d to £5 3s 6d. Best choppers, £ll 13s 6d to £l4 13s fid (with one exceptional pig making £l4 18s fid). Store Pigs There was a large entry of store pigs and quality overall was quite good. Good quality white weaners again sold well, with values on a par with last week's good sale. There were a fair number of small and medium stores, and although these sold well, values were 2s to 3s a head cheaper than last week. Only a few pens of big stores were yarded, and these met a fair demand. An advertised line of Large White pigs made 90s to £5 17s. There were quite a few sows with litters vardetf, and six sows with litters of nine each made from £24 to £27 Values were: Weaners, 66s- to 85s. Small stores, 88s to 98s. Medium and large stores, £5 to £8 3s.