Addington Market Small offering of cattle sells well

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 24

Addington Market Small offering of cattle sells well

Most markets were either firm or dearer at Addington yesterday. The prime cattle section had an even smaller offering than last week, a result possibly of vendors being unsure whether their stock would sell because of the prospect of further industrial troubles in the retail meat trade. However, those who took the risk earned a good premium, for the supply was short of requirements and values lifted sharply, particularly for prime steers and heifers, some sales being made up to $3O in advance of last week. But observers warned that these values would not necessarily hold if a large yarding came to hand next week. A small selection of store cattle met a buoyant market, prices for adult cattle being up about $2O.

Prime lambs had a better sale, and in the prime sheep section ewes were up slightly.

Store lambs met another good sale, but for lambs and older sheep values were similar to late rates.

The prime pig market continued to be strong, light and medium-weight porkers showing a useful gain. In the store pens last week’s easing was recovered. Prime lambs

A moderate sized entry of prime lambs at 1222 head, compared with 1345 last week, met a slightly better sale, values being up about $1 a head under stronger competition. Values were: Best woolly lambs, $19.50 to $22.10. Medium woolly lambs, $lB to $19.20. Best shorn lambs, $18.60 to $20.30. I Medium shorn lambs, $l7 j to $18.30.

Among sales of prime lambs were: D. Robertson (Oxford), 23 shorn at $17.50 to $18.90; D. S. and P. G. Morrison (Sheffield), three woolly at $20.70; A. W. Long (Lincoln), 10 at $2O to $2l; J. H. Oldfield (Tai Tapu), 21 at $18.70 to $19.60; L. R. Smith (Loburn), 10 at $lB.BO to $19.50; A. H. Wilkinson (Ashburton), 96 at $lB.lO to $l9; B. C. McKay (Kaiapoi), seven at $18.30 to $19.10; C. R. Dobby (Greenpark), nine at $18.60 to $l9; Hadstock Park (Ellesmere), 59 at $18.30 to $18.90; R. G. Bar- | rett (Kaituna), 29 at $l9 to $19.10; D. Carter (West Melton), 109 at $16.60 to $18.40; E. J. Smith (Springston), 164 at $17.50 to $l9; S. A. Uren (Waipara), 47 at $16.80 to $18; H. .1. McCartnev (Tai Tapu). 34 at $lB to $19.10;

C. W. Jackson (Jacksons), 27 at $lB.lO to $19.20; D. F. Adams (Southbridge), 22 at $18.70 to $19.30; L. W. R. Langdon (Ashburton), 74 at $19.30 to $19.50; Willow Farm (Dunsandel), 38 at $19.20 to $20.30; G. Sowden (Ashburton), four at $20.60; G. J. Power (Flaxton), 11 at $l9 to $2O; L. R. .Smith (Ahaura), 119 at $l7 to $18.80; G. L. Cooper (Kaituna), 30 at $19.10 to $2l; C. S. Page (Courtenay), 10 at $20.50; D. A. Gebbie (Teddington), 15 at $2O to $22.10; E. S. E. Honeybone (Hawarden), seven at $19.50; Estate of B. A. B. Mclntosh (West Eyreton), 21 at $17.80 to $19.50. Prime sheep Prime ewe values improved slightly and prices for most of the wethers offered held firm on last week’s sale. The quality of the 651 sheep offered (406 last week) improved, most of the sheep being better finished. A number of surplus rams yarded brought from $6 to $2O.

Values were. — Best young wethers, $18.60 to $20.90. Medium young wethers, $16.80 to $18.25. Best older wethers, $16.30 to $18.40. Medium older wethers, $15.10 to $16.10. Best two-tooth ewes, $17.70 to $2O. Medium two-tooth ewes, $16.70 to $17.55. Best older ewes, $17.30 to $lB.BO. Medium older ewes. $15.70 to $16.90.

Sales of prime sheep included:—

Wethers (two-tooth unless otherwise stated). — Mrs D. D. Croft (Lakeside), 27 at $18.90 to $19.80; .1. J. Harnett (Rangiora), 47 at $lB.BO to $19.50; N. Somerville (Cheviot), 16 at $18.60 to $20.80; Berridale Farm (Amberley), 20 at $18.70 to $19.90, D. G. Allan, Ltd (Parnassus), eight at $16.90 tc $l7; Mrs J. G. Wells (Oxford) 17 at $17.10, four fourtooths at $16.50 to $l7, four six-tooths at $16.10; R. L. Dronfield (Rakaia), seven at $16.80; J. A. Paton (Oaro), 56 full-mouth at $l3 to $14.40. Ewes (two-tooth unless otherwise stated). — Willow Farm (Dunsandel), 49 old at $9.90 to $17.50: Mrs S. D. McMillan (Hawarden), 13 at $lB to $l9, two four-tooth at $16.50; D. G. Allan (Parnassus), 16 at $17.50, 12 older at $14.80 to $16.70 one four-tooth at $13.40; G. R. Smith (Hororata), three at $2O, six six-tooths at $l6; G. M. Ridgen (Greendale), two six-tooths at $l7; Estate W. G Gerard (Hororata), 14 sixtooths at $l5 to $17.10, 25 six-tooths at $16.50 to $17.80; A. A. Adams (Inchbonnie), 12 six-tooths at $15.60 to $l6; B. C. Harris (Waipara) 23 six-tooths at $14.20 to $16.60; A. D. McNabb (Cheviot), 34 older ewes at $13.10 to $l7.

Store sheep Once again quite a good ga'lery followed the store sheep sale, for which the offering included 2504 lambs compared with 2698 a week ago, and 1274 older sheep compared with 518 last week. For the lambs the sale was quite a good one but

values were about on a par with late rates. In the main wether lambs brought from about $l2 to $l5, and some of the woollies ranged to about $16.60. Sales of store lambs included; — Wether lambs. — E. E. Spencer (Parnassus), 450 Romneys at $13.50 to $15.10; B. and T. Grofski (Ohoka), 82 Romneys at $13.70 to $14.10; Falks Farm (Greymouth), 55 Romney cross at $12.20 to $13.90; Lands and Survey Department (Nelson Creek), 120 Perendales at $13.50 to $14.60; Estate B. A. B. Mclntosh (West Evreton), 105 at $14.50 to $l5! Ewe lambs. — Guardian Farm (Westport), 110 at $10.30 to $12.20. The adult section of the sale included a fairly mixed selection with quite a few pens of small numbers of sheep, but prices stayed at about recent levels. Some mated shorn fine wool two-tooth ewes sold to $20.20, and older ewes brought to $21.40 for woolly Border cross ewes mated to a Poll Dorset ram. For the best of the older mated ewes in the wool, values ranged from about $l9 to $21.40, others making from about $15.80 to $l7, and mated shorn ewes brought from about $10.20 to $15.60. Woolly one-shear wethers brought from about $14.40 to $16.10.

Sales of older sheep included.—D. A. Cunningham (Cass Bay), 102 Romney five year ewes at $19.80; W. R. Tilson (Glenroy), 38 Border Leicester cross ewes at $21.40; W. D. Kennedy and Son (Loburn), 189 mixed-age ewes, at $l7. Prime cattle

The prime cattle sale was over about a quarter of an hour before midday, indicating the smallness of the

yarding, which totalled 274 head compared with 305 last week. The size ot the selection could have been a reflection of two factors. On the one hand farmers may have been uncertain whether there would be a sale for their cattle in view of possible further industrial action in the retail meat trade. On the other hand entries may be getting down to smaller levels simply because with the onset of winter fewer prime cattle are now available. Whatever the cause, those vendors who took the risk were well rewarded, for the supply was below requirements and there was a big lift in the market. But because of the unusual circumstances of the sale the advance might well have been an unreal one and may not be maintained when conditions return to normal. Prime steers and heifers showed the biggest advance on last week, but cows wfere also up. In some instances the rise was thought to be as much as $2O to $3O a head. Values were: Prime heavy steers, $3BO to $460. Prime medium steers. $3OO to $370. Prime light steers, $230 to $290. Prime heavy heifers, $2BO to $3ll. Prime medium heifers, $240 to $2BO. Light heifers, down to $214. Prime heavy cows, $2BO to $3ll. Prime medium cows, $230 to $260. Light cows, $2OO to $230. Sales of prime cattle included;— Steers.—Miss D. P. Greenwood (Amberley), five at $360 to $428; Teviotdale Es-

tate (Amberley), nine at $315 to $409; D. J. Blakely Trust (Purau), 11 at $2BO to $320; B. Murphy (Halswell), four at $384; W. Barker (Cass Bay), one at $281; P. D. H. Bush (Parnassus), three at $245; V. J. and M. A. Smith (Spotswood), one at $320; A. B. Partridge (Little River), seven at $390 to $450; Aorangi Estate (Ataahua). five at $2BO to $369; W. O. and M. R. Inch (Rakaia). five at $276; Callum Hogg (Timaru), five at $3OO to $404; J. M. and C. N. Le Cren (Cheviot). 15 at $289 to $330: K. G. Gillanders (Kaituna). five at $251 to $281; Estate’ of M. A. Hazlett (Rakaia), two at $261 to $3Bl. Heifers.—A, D. Lochhead (Lakeside), eight at $237 to $258; G. A. Pearce (Coutts Island), six at $225 to $250; Miss D. P. Greenwood (Amberley), three at $311; Mrs R. Dick (West Melton), two at $300; P. D. H. Bush (Parnassus), two at $235; C. W. Jackson (Jacksons), five at $214 to $290; S. A. Uren (Waipara), three at $238 to $246; R. R. Anderson (Cheviot), one at $250; V. J. and M. A. Smith (Spotswood), four at $287; I. M. Foster (Reefton), two at $231; Callum Hogg (Timaru), one at $266; G. C. Smith (Te Pirita), 11 at $266 to $286; O. T. and J. J Brownlee (Rakaia), 18 at $234 to $260. Cows.—Mrs R. Dick (West Melton), one at $311; G. S. Tobeck (Greenpark), two at $240; P. D. IL Bush (Parnassus), 19 at $2lO to $258; A. F. McArthur and Sons (Whitecliffs), five at $230; R. R. Anderson (Cheviot), one at $275; V. J.and M. A. Smith (Spotswood), one at $231; I. M. Foster (Reefton), six at $176 to $284; E. W. Mosley (Scargill), nine at $2OO to $246; Mrs A. G. Jamieson (Kaituna), 12 at $202 to $296; G. S. Tobeck (Greenpark), one at $239. Store cattle

The store cattle sale was again very small, the offering totalling only 183 head compared with 242 last week. However it was a very strong sale, indicating that farmers, at least, have confidence in the future of the beef market. Calves were estimated to be up $lO to $l2 a head on last sale, with older cattle appreciating about $2O. The fact that the end of the financial year is now in sight for some purchasers might also have been a factor in the strength of the inquiry. Quotable lines of steer calves brought from about $lOl to $145, 20-month.s heifers $144 to $175, and two and three-year-old steers $225 to $293. Sales of store cattle included;— Calves. — C. A. Nurse (Hawarden), 35 Hereford steers at $lO4 to $132; W. H. and J. M. Nurse (Hawarden), 43 Hereford steers at $lOl to $145. Adult cattle. —J. A. Elder (Amberley), 29 two and th r e e-year Hereford-and Angus-cross steers at $225 to $293, 28 20-month Hereford and Angus-cross heifers at $144 to $175.

Dairy cattle The dairy cattle entry was down to II from 16 last week. The sale was a little less animated than has been the case recently and there were some passings at auction. However, a recently calved Friesian cow brought up to $422, and other cows

‘made down to $254. Freisian heifers sold from $256 up to $3BO. A heifer with a calf sold for $390 — it had just calved — and another heifer with a calf realised $360. Vealere

The veal entry at about 40 head was of similar size to last week’s. Quality varied from reasonably good to average and prices were about on a par to slightly better, the sale perhaps reflecting the general shortage of cattle in the market.

Prices ranged from about $l3O to $248. the top figure being paid for a Hereford steer. Some good heifers brought to $220 good average making from about $lBO to $2OO and looking to be up on late rates at that level. Average cattle still made from about $l6O to $l7O. Fat pigs

A small yarding of fat pigs, consisted mainly of heavy baconers. The market was again firm for these types, and light and me-dium-weight porkers improved up to $5. There was another large yarding of choppers, with a bigger percentage suitable for the retail trade. These again sold well, sales up to $l2B being recorded.

Values were.— Light porkers, $5B to $63. Medium and heavy porkers, $64 to $75. Light and medium baconers, $76 to $B5.

Heavy baconers, $B5 to $lOO, with odd sales to $111.50. Light choppers, $75 to $lOO. Good choppers, $lO5 to $l2O, with odd sales to $l2B. Chopper boars to $6O. STORE PIGS— The store pig section attracted a larger market than in recent weeks. It consisted mainly of small and large stores, very few weaners and slips having been entered.

Under strong outside interest from other districts, the market recovered the $2 to $3 lost last week and was fully firm throughout. In the breeding section good quality in-pig sows showed a worth-while rise, a third-litter sow selling for $2BO, and fourth-litter sow for $235, and a fourth-litter sow with 10 piglets, for $305. Values were.— Small weaners, $25 to $3O. Good weaners, $3l to $35. Slips and small stores, $36 to $42.

Large stores, $42.50 to $47, with odd sales of unfinished pork to $51.50.