Few high prices for heifers

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33655, 3 October 1974, Page 18

Few high prices for heifers

Prices, with a few exceptions, were often at nominal levels when a special sale of yearling heifers was held at the Addington market yesterday.

A small selection of wellgrown pens drew quite good competition, but medium heifers were taken only at a P r 'ce, many of them at less than 540. At these rates, the market was $6 to $8 back on the weekly rates at Addington. The sale drew an entry of 1195 head. Considering the cold wet winter, most of the cattle came forward in quite good order although most had not shed their winter coats. Buying inquiry was mainly to local districts. A few lots were purchased for MidCanterbury and the West Coast. Selling began on a very weak note, but once some of the better-grown heifers came up for sale, competition gained momentum. Manv vendors, however, would not have left the sale having made a profit, after wintering their stock. Values for the medium class of heifer were much on a par with autumn rates for heifer calves. The comment was made that it was just like another calf sale. The best of the Herefords reached 880, and there were occasional sales at more than S7O, but these appeared to be about 16 months of age. Good springcalved heifers sold to about $5O or a little more, with average at $39 to $45, and smaller or harder-conditioned down to $35.

The best of the Angus or Angus-cross heifers sold to $97.50. but these were past the

yearling stage. Generally, the best of this class of heifer sold at $52 to $6O, with good average at $44 to $4B, medium at $3B to $42, and others down to $27.50. The lowest-priced heifers were by no means tail-enders. Rather it was another graphic illustration of the decline in the cattle market.

However, If the Meat Board brings out a guaranteed schedule next season, there must be a sound profit ahead for anyone who bought heifers yesterday. Sales included:—

Overton and Foster (Scargill), 35 Herefords at $7O to $79; G. C. Dunster (Hawarden), 41 Herefords at $63.50 to $80; Mullholland and Sons (Darfield), 27 Herefords at $50.50 to $52.50; Ngaio Downs (Kalkoura), 60 Herefords at $36.50 to $53; Athlone Pastures (Parnassus), 17 Herefords at $66.50; C. M. Souter (Cheviot), 28 Herefords at $53 to $67; Inkson and Hardaker (Omihi), 30 Angus cross at $55.50 to $61.50;- Blythe Downs (Cheviot), 48 Angus-cross at $52 to $97.50; H. A. Fitzsimmons (Cheviot), 50 Angus at $36 to $4l; L. A. Catherwood (Charing Cross), 23 Angus at $5l; D. J. Catherwood (Hororata), 54 Angus at $3B to $45.50.