Addington Market Lamb, sheep prices ease a little

Press, 14 June 1978, Page 26

Addington Market Lamb, sheep prices ease a little

Prime stock values did not show much movement at the Addington Market yesterday.

Prime cattle values were little' short of last week’s rates for much of the selling, then levelled off as numbers increased. Lambs were up to a dollar easier for most of the sale, and in i the prime sheep section both wethers and ewes followed an easier trend. Store cattle sold well for this! stage of the year; store lambs were usually easier, but breeding ewes were stronger on recent comparable rates. No dairy cattle were included. PRIME LAMBS Prime lambs had an easier sale for much of the morning, but in the closing stages some added competition gave the market a welcome lift. The yarding was more than 1200, compared with 880 last week, and most lambs were average. For most of the selling the market was up to a dollar a head easier, largely because of limited competition, but when extra buying inquiry became apparent the market made a good recovery to the rates of last week. Values: —. Butchers’ lambs, $15.50 to $16.50, with late sales to $17.50. Medium lambs, $14.20 to $l5. Light lambs, $l3 to $13.80. Lambs, shorn three weeks, $l3 to $15.50. Leading sales of prime lambs included: —. W. L. Gabble (Southbridge), 50 at $12.60 to $l4; L. Parkinson (Reefton), 21 at $13.30 to $15.30; Kaparanga farm (Sprlngston), 11 at $15.40 to $16.40 Mrs A. Lintott (Kaiapoi), 7 at $14.20 to $14.50; E. J. Smith (Springston), 46 at $13.60 to $14.70; H. Eggleston (Oxford), 13 at $l5 to $15.40; G. Nish (Ashburton), 27 at $14.10 to $16.10; A. D. and H. S. Doig (Ashburton), 51 at $15.40 to $16.40; Ward Bros. (Ashburton), 94 at $l4 to $15.50; E. T. Smith (Broadfield), 23 at $14.40 to $15.50; T. M. Banks (Coutts Island), 30 at $14.30 to $14.60; J. A. Lovett (Ashburton), 45 at $l5 to $17.40; A. F. Knowles (Rangiora), 8 at $16.50 to $17.50; H. A. Patterson (Lakeside), 19 at $15.60 to $l7; B. J. D. Minson (Hawarden), 23 at $14.30 to $l7; G. D. Gillanders and Son (Darfield), 60 at $14.20 to $16.70; R. H. Womersley (Cheviot), 16 at $15.70 to $16.50; R. H. Kyle (Templeton), 9 at $l5 to $16.50; B. J. Patterson (Tinwald), 57 at $14.60 to $l6; A. T. Watson and Son (Kaituna), 52 at $14.50 to $l6. PRIME SHEEP Prime sheep values were often short of last week’s rates — again because of rather limited competition. The yarding was 1120, compared with only 760 last week, and quality was often very mixed. Young wethers of good quality were within 50c of last week’s rates, but the ewe market was generally up to a dollar a head easier. Values: — Best young wethers, to $15.50. Medium wethers, $l3 to $l4. Plainer wethers, $11.50 to $12.50. Older wethers, $8 to $lO. Two-tooth ewes, $10.50 to $14.80. Best adult ewes, $9.50 to $10.50, with odd sales to $12.20. Medium ewes, $8.20 to $9. Plain ewes, down to $7. Leading sales of prime sheep included: — Wethers (Two-tooths unless otherwise stated). — N. H. Ensor (Little River), 48 at $12.80 to $14.20; C. S. Page (Whiterock), 22 at $l4 to $14.90; W. G. and S. E. Henderson (Waiau), 18 at $l5 to $15.40; R. W. Lovett (Ashburton), 61 at $l3 to $15.50; W. R. Ensor (Okuku), 53 at $l4 to $l5; B. P. Wright (Amberley), 34 at $13.50 to $14.50; estate J. H. Jarman (Darfield), 9 at $l4 to $15.20; T. M. Roberts (Culverden), 34 at $12.60 to $14.60; B. P. Wright (Amberley), 14 full-mouth at $9.20; Benmore Graziers

| (Springfield), 14 full-mouth at $8 | to $9.20.

Ewes (adult unless otherwise stated). — D. Paterson (Okuku), 45 at $9 to $9.50; E. J. Smith (Prebbleton), 24 at $8.60; C. R. Beauchamp (Springston), 51 at $9.20; Benmore Graziers Hill), 16 at $7 to $10; G. and R. Dickson (Ashburton), 30 twotooths at $l3 to $14.80. Store sheep I Store lambs often had an easier sale, but in the adult sheep section there was a definite lift for good quality breeding ewes. The store lamb yarding, at almost 3500 head, was a big offering for this stage of the year, and the market did not always have the strength of some recent sales. Selling opened with values easily a dollar a head easier. There was some recovery later, but an easier trend was apparent in the closing stages. Top pens of wether lambs again reached or bettered $l2, but fewer sales were in this range. Good average lambs sold in the $9 to $10.50 range, and smaller and plainer lots at $7 to $8.50. Ewe lambs, on the day, had quite a good sale, the best of a line of medium summer-shorn Romneys reaching $13.80. At this level, tile market for the good type of lamb was 30c to 40c stronger. Summer-shorn Romneys, Corriedales, and halfbreds still in full wool made up most of the yarding, supplemented by crossbred iambs from the West Cojst. Breeding ewes met a useful inquiry. particularly where they were sound in the mouth and of good average quality. The yarding of about 1200 head — ewes and wethers included — included several pens of good breeding ewes, and the market was easily $1.50 ahead of rates ruling in May, there being nothing in the last two weeks with which to make a comparison. Corriedales mated to a Downtype ram sold to $14.70, similar ewes mated to a Corriedale $13.70. Sound-mouth Romneys with long pelts, mated to a Down ram $14.20, and later-shorn Romneys to $12.20. Sales of store sheep included: Wether lambs. — G. D. and C. W. Stewart (Amberley), 543 Romney and Romney-Down cross at $6.50 to $9.90; J. Lundy (Rangiora), 70 Perendales at $10; E. E. Spencer (Parnassus), 312 Romneys at $7.80 to $11.50; L. Parkinson (Reefton), 70 Romneys at $9.90 to $12.10; estate E. W. Pawsey (Hawarden), 70 mixed-sex halfbreds at $12.10. Ewe lambs. — E. E. Spencer (Parnassus), 238 Romneys at $9.70 to $10.20. Adult sheep. — K. M. Wells (Oxford), 36 Romney ewes, mated to Down rams, at $14.20; N. H. Ensor (Duvauchelle), 52 fullmouth wethers at $10.30. Prime cattle Prime cattle values opened well, but as the market grew with late arrivals, the market became easier in the latter stages. The yarding was one of the smallest for some weeks — only 387 compared with 503 last sale. Some good quality steers were on hand, and there was a notable reduction in the number of poor and decrepit cows.

For the main part of selling, values were almost up to last week’s good rates, but in the last hour of selling, steers eased $6 to $B, and heifers $4 to $5. Ender competition from those

in the export trade, cows continued to meet a very firm inquiry. Steer beef sold at 66c to 70c a kg, with some sales to 72c; heifers at 64c to 66c, with occasional sales to 68c; young cow beef to 60c, and manufacturing cow beef at 54c to 56c. Values: — Extra-heavy steers, to $260. Prime heavy, $2lO to $225. Medium steers. $l7O to $l9O. Light steers, $l5O to $165. Plainer steers, down to $l4O. Top-weight heifers, to $l9l. Medium heifers, $l3O to $145. Light heifers, $lOO to $l2O. Butchers cows, to $157. Medium cows, $125 to $135. Light cows, $9O to $l2O. Leading sales of prime cattle included: — Steers: — Estate B. Tully (Woodend), 2 at $214 to $260; A. Busch (Hornby), 3 at $214 to $221; Millisle farm (Rakaia), 3 at Sl/u; Forestry farm (Southbrook), 4 at $230; A. T. Watson and Son (Price’s Valley), 5 at $197 to $212: Henshaw Bros. (Culverden), 12 at $175 to $206; J. Thompson (Belfast), 9 at $207 to $221; Mae Holdings (Barrys Bay), 4 at $l7B to $190; M. N. and A. C. Petrie (Sefton), 3 at $lBl to $197; T. Spoor (Hokitika), 3 at $145 to $193; c,. J. Manera (Ross), 10 at $lB9 to $225; R. F. Fear (Swannanoa), 6 at $177 to $190; estate J. G. Murgatroyd and Son (Balmoral), 14 at $l6B to $228; D. R. McNeill (Rangiora), 17 at $172 to $209; A. McLean (Omihi), 9 at $lB2 to $186; R. E. Gibb (Franz Josef), 5 at $173 to $214. Heifers. — Ben Ohai station (South Canterbury), 2 at $132 to $136; K. D. and H. Thacker (Okains Bay), 3 at $154 to $163; R. E. Gibb (Franz Josef), 4 at $134 to $143; I. S. Douglas (Cheviot), 1 at $136; G. D. Gillanders and Son (Darfield), 3 at $178; R. M. and A. C. Petrie (Sefton), 1 at $191; R. Berry (Harihari), 11 at $141; T. Spoor (Hokitika), 1 at $147; P. F. Congdon (Franz Josef), 14 at $l2O to $l3B. Cows. — Kelsie Trust (Springston, 4 at $124 to $157; A. C. Neilson (Christchurch), 2 at $lOB to $126; F. G- Dixon (Fox Glacier), 9 at $llO to $133; Ben Ohai station (Lake Pukaki), 6 at $126 to $136; A. R. Weenink (Hokitika), 3 at $111; I. S. Douglas (Cheviot), 1 at $136; M. S. and J. Blue (Whataroa), 4 at $127 to $139. Store cattle For a one-day sale, there was a large offering of store cattle. The yarding of more than 850 head, included about 700 calves, most of them Herefords. For this time of the year, and on a very wintry day, they drew a good inquiry. Compared with some recent sales, they showed a definite, although not large improvement.

Some Angus-Hereford cross calves from Cheviot topped the section at $B2. The best of the high country Hereford calves sold to $5B, and quite a number of pens fetched about $45 or a little better.

If yesterday’s sale can be taken as a guide, it appears that calves will continue to trickle into the yards for some weeks to come.

Buying inquiry came largely from the Christchurch district and North Canterbury, and there was again regular competition from West Coast buyers. There was little of note in the entry of older cattle. Medium 20-month-old steers sold at $95 to $ll5, and the best of the heifers of similar age to $B7.

Taken all over, it was a satisfactory sale, buyers no doubt being motivated by what appears will be a very good market in

the spring months. Sales of store cattle Included:

Calves, t- Stewart and Rae (Hanmer Springs), 219 Hereford steers at $29 to $5B, 146 heifers at $2l to $35; S. Costello (Cheviot), 33 Angus-cross steers at $5B to $B2, 23 heifers at $4O to $5O; Marble Point station (Hanmer Springs). 43 Hereford steers at $33 to $45, 39 heifers at $27 to $3O: W. S. Gardner (Waiau), 38 Angus steers at $47 to $56, 22 heifers at $4l; J, R. Reed (Culverden), 40 Angus and Anguscross steers at $4l to $46. Older cattle. — A. F. and M. J. Croft (Omihi), 66 20-month-old Angus heifers at $6O to $B5; J. Mallinson (Geraldine), 30 Angus heifers at $B4 to $B7; Forestry farm (Southbrook), 15 18-month-old Angus-cross steers at $104; D. W. Syme (Kimberley), 11 20month Hereford steers at $ll4. Vealers Although the veal yarding, at 166 head, was by no means large, the market was generally $4 to $5 short of last week’s rates. The best of the 18 and 20-month-old heifers bettered $100; good average heifers ranged from $B5 to $95, with lighter weights down to $7O. A few calves sold at $5O to $64. On estimated hook weight, average veal sold at 58c to 62c a kg. Fat pigs A larger yarding of fat pigs had a weaker sale. The yarding consisted mainly of light and medium baconers, and quite a number were overfat. Compared with last week, the market was $2 a head easier. There was not the same demand for the lighterweight porkers. A larger yarding of choppers sold much in line with the improved rates of last week. Sales at more than $45 were frequent, land top pens sold to $66. Values; — Light porkers, $35 to $4O, Medium and heavy porkers, $4l to $45. Light baconers, $46 to $52. Heavy baconers. $53 to $5B, with odd sales to $63. Choppers light to $37. Choppers, good, $45 to $66. Store pigs Store pigs sold much in line with last week’s weaker sale. Weaners and slips made up the bulk of the entry, and quality generally was very good. There was little or no outside interest. Breeding stock met nominal inquiry, values being in line with those of a fattening proposition. The sows were generally in very light condition. Small weaners, $8 to $ll. Good weaners, $ll to $l4. Slips, $l5 to $lB. Small and medium stores, $l9 to $25. Large store, $26 to $28.50.