Prices firm for prime cattle

Press, 3 February 1981, Page 25

Prices firm for prime cattle

Addington Market

Although large numbers oft prime cattle were yarded at Addington market yesterday,' ■ prices remained reasonably; firm. The main difference from last week’s sale was the quality of cattle entered. Some of the steers and heifers yarded were showing obvious signs, of the feed shortages which have started to affect farms in several parts of North Canterbury. The small yarding of prime lambs sold well. Prime sheep sold steadily although competition was lacking. Prime lambs Values for the best of the 381 prime lambs offered (1350 last week) improved $l, and more average types easily sold at • last week’s rates. Fortunately the yarding was smaller than usual because the competition was limited to one buyer. Values were:— Lighter lambs: $14.30 to $l6. Medium lambs: $16.30 to $17.70. ’ Heavy lambs: $lB to $2O. - Sales of prime lambs included: N. McVicar (Harewood), 31 at $18.70 to $20.69; D. C. Carter (West Melton), 19 at $l7 to $19.70; R. F. Young (Rangiora), 2 at $17.10 to $l9; C. Winter (Christchurch), 2 at $18.90. Prime sheep Lack of spirited competition meant prime old ewes sold at rates behind last week’s. Only one buyer was trading when most of the 896 prime sheep yarded were offered (2163 last week). Two-tooth wethers sold well and made to $19.80. Ewes, which were selling steadily last week, were back $l. Values were:— Best two-tooth wethers: $18.50 to $19.80. Medium two-tooth wethers: $15.20 to $17.80. Best old ewes: $11.60 to $14.50. Medium old .ewes: $lO.lO to $11.50. Light old ewes: down to $B. Sales of prime sheep included: Two-tooth wethers: Balrabreigh Farm', Ltd, (Culverden), 29 at $lB to $18.60; C. Winter (Spencerville), 48 at $l6 to $18.10; I. E. and M. E. Winskill (Cheviot), 38 at $17.40 to $17.70; R. G: Douglas (Amberley), 74 at $17.30 to $17.90; J. and R. Andrew (Motunau), 31 at $16.90 to $19.80. Ewes: B. Harrington (Irwell), 20 at $lO/ H. J Thompson (Tai Tapu), 40 at $8.50 to $10; Lands and Survey Department (Aharua), 132 mixed age at $ll.lO to $12.70, A. T. Allan (Christchurch), 56 at $9.50 to $10.20; L. W. Craigie (Hororata), 58 at $9.50 Jo $lO.lO. Prime cattle Although quality was a little mixed, most of the prime cattle yarding had a satisfactory sale. The total offered was 622 (535 last week), which was the biggest yarding for some time. Competition was generally not as strong as last week and this made selling some types of cattle, especially heifers, difficult.

Although values may have eased for the odd pen, few cattle sold yesterday at rates below the export schedule. The best price for steers was for the tops of a line of ■lO Angus cross from M. G. Cowens (Cust). These sold for $460. F. H. Hillyer (Leeston) sold an Angus cross heifer at $336 and R. Saunders (Springston) a Friesian cow for $3BO. Mr Hillyer also received between $204 and $226 for a line of yearling Angus cross heifers. Values were:— Prime heavy steers: $423 to $460. Prime medium steers: $374 to $416. Prime light steers: $3OO to $351. Prime heavy heifers: to $336. - . Prime medium heifers: $297 to $312. Prime light heifers: • $233 to $285.

Prime heavy, cows: $314 to $328 witlt.odd sales to $3BO. Prime medium cows: $275 to $299. ’<■ . Prime light cows: $229 to $267-. ...

Sales of prime cattle included.— Steers: W. D. Latham (Little River), 15 at $364 to $418; J. D. Waller (Little! River), 5 at $376 to $442; D. R. Hunt (Pigeon Bay). 10 at $348 to $456; B. A. White (Halswell), 2 at $370 to $420; L. L. Craw and Son (Duvauchelle), 9 at $338 to $398; J. R. Wilson and Son (Hanmer), 27 at $3OB to $384; J. Plaskett (Fernside). 12 at $3BO to $448; H. J. Hamilton (Omihi). 8 at $350 to $356; M. G. Cowans (Cust), 10 at $342 to $460; Eskvale Farm (Amberley), 7| at $372; Living Springs! Trust (Allandale), 12 at $320 to $352; W. J. Winter and; Sons (Kaiapoi), 14 at $360; to $392; S. A. Thompson (Brookside), 8 at $328 to $370; G. D. Stanbury (Little River), 10 at $352 to $362; R. J. Berry (Harihari),, 12 at $334 to $360; R. D. and R. S. Parsons (Parnassus), 13 at $320 to $400; B. A. Witte (Halswell), 8 at $4OO. to $414; R. J. Turpin (Little River), 4 at $350 to $400; Mount Sandford Partnership

(Ethelton), 23 at $360 to $430; C. Winter’ (Spencerville), 10 at $349 to $368. Heifers: Estate J. Milliken (Springfield), 33 at $250 to $270; Te Tini Pastures (Amberley). 11 at $274; J. R. and T. J. Burrows (Culverden). 12 at $262 to $270; F. H. Hillyer (Leeston), 13 at $204 to $336; Newall Partnership (Waiau), 11 at $260; F. D. Bell (Rakaia Gorge); 36 at $247 to $308; R. D. and, R. S. Parsons (Parnassus), 1 at $320; M. D. Chick (Rotherham), 3 at $256 to $300; W. R. Dean and Son (Darfield), 2 at $278; Mount Sandford Partnership (Ethelton), 5 at $278. Cows: J. J. and J. R. Smith (Kaikoura), 10 at $244 to $270; D. J.- Pickens (Ellesmere), 3 at $264; R. Saunders (Springston),' 4 at $270 to $380; Eskvale Farm (Amberley), 4 at $260 to $320; W. R.. Dean and Son (Darfield), 8 at $2BO to $2BB. Vealers The vealer yarding totalled 28 (22 last week) and

these had only an average, sale. Steers fetched mainly between $lBO and $247. heifers $lBB and $240, and bulls ; $193 to $249. Fat pigs < A good quality yarding of fat pigs sold well. Competition was strong throughout and those buying for the trade could have handled more lightweight pigs. Good quality choppers had another excellent sale. Values were:— Light pork: $6B to $75. Medium and heavy pork: $7B to $9O. ■ Light and medium bacon: $9O to $lO5. ■ Heavy bacon: to $ll5. Light choppers: $BO to $95. Heavy choppers: $ll5 to $135. Store pigs Only a small yarding of store pigs was offered and generally the quality was good. Only local buyers competed but values were maintained and all classes of pigs sold well. Values were:— Small weaners: $lB to $22. Good weaners: $24 to $32. Slips and small stores: $35 1 Good stores: $45 to $53.