Lower beef quality brings price drop

Press, 11 February 1981, Page 13

Lower beef quality brings price drop

Prime beef values decreased by up to $2O at Addington market yesterday. Indifferent quality and lacklustre competition were the two main reasons the market faltered. Prime lamb were not generally top quality apd sold accordingly. The best of the old ewes were easy to quit and two-tooth wethers remained firm. Prime Lambs The quality of the 1350 prime lambs yarded (381 last week) was poor overall and values slipped back on recent sales. Although one sale was made at $20.80 few lambs exceeded $lB. Many lambs offered were overfat and not of butchers’ quality.. Values were:— Light lambs: $l4 to $15.70. Medium lambs: $15.90 to Heavy lambs: $17.50 to $lB.lO with odd sales to $20.80.f; .... Sales of prime lambs included. — Newton Bros (Little River), 40 at $l7 to $17.50; R. P. and Estate L. M. Wright (Little River), 21 at $17.40 to $18; Treevale Farm : (Darfield), 32 at $16.60 to $l9; E. J. Croy (Ashburton), .28 at $l6 to $17.50; C. D. B'. Douglas (Amberley), 38 at $15.80 to $18; C. A. Ridgen (Greendale), 35 at $15.90 to $17.70; E. Graham, (Harihari), 30 at $16.60 to $18.70; Hunter Estate (Irwell), 32 at $15.60 to $l7; D. W. Sutherland (Tai Tapu), 30 shorn at $l5 to $17.80; J. L. Walker (Dunsandel), 27 at $15.90 to $17.30; M. C. Ryan (West Melton), 15 at $16.50 to $20.80; P. J and P. Tully (Rakaia), 43 at $15.30 to $l7; D. J. Petrie (Swannanoa), 38 at $15.50 to $17.10; C. A. Maw and Son (Rakaia), 54 at $l5 to $17.50: Enfield Park (Darfield), 20 at $15.60 to $16.50. . Prime Sheep A lot of the prime ewes yarded were overfat and failed to sell well. The market for good cutting ewes still held firm however. The two-tooths in the yarding of 2090 (896 last week) sold up to $lB but most were between $l6 and $17.30. These sold readily. Values were:— Best two-tooth wethers: $17.10 to $lB. Medium two-tooth wethers: $15.20 to $16.80. Best old ewes: $11.50 to $14.30 with odd sales to $l5 70. -- . Medium old ewes: $9.30 to $11.30. ' Light old ewes: down to $5. Sales of prime sheep included.— (wethers unless otherwise stated): Two-tooths: D. A. Reese (Hawarden), 26 at $l4 to $17.50; H. R. and E. M. Burt (Scargill), 34 at $14.60 to $17.30; Glynn Wye Station (Lewis-Pass), 46 at $15.40 to $16.30; M. W. Witbrock (Dunsandel), 21 at $l6 to $16.80; - ! J. B. Coombes (Brooklands), 21 at $l6 to $16.20; W. R, Tilson (Hororata), 16 at $15.50 to $15.70, 19 two-tooth ewes at $l4 to $15.50; A. F. and M. J, Croft (Omihi), 64 at $15.50 to $l7. Ewes: J. j.. Lochhead (Omihi), 73 at $8.50 to $9.50; Molby Bros (Rangiora), 142 at $7.10 to $10.60; R. Campbell (Halkett),-83 at $9.90 to $10.10; Estate H. A. Beaven (Rotherham), 64 at $lO to $10.10; R. L. Grant (Rangi-

ora)', 40 at $9.60 to $10.60; R. A. Annan (Kaikoura), 73 at $5.10 to $11.10; J. M. Hughes (Cust), 23 at $9.90 to $11; N. M. Watson (Weedons), 56 at $9.70. Prime Cattle Most of the heavier prime cattle yarded were between $5 and $l2 behind last week’s rates. For lighter sorts the drop was up to $2O. A large proportion of the 698 cattle yarded (622 last week) were showing signs of the dry weather and some even were on the borderline between being regarded as prime or store cattle. Buying enthusiasm was stilted, perhaps because of the large yarding, and auctioneers had to work hard to sell many pens. However, the highest price paid for a steer for some time, $558 went to a Chian-ina-Friesian cross steer from D. W. Horn (Oxford), The top heifer price was $472 for a Friesian from B. L. Haylock (Greenpark) and the best cow price $4OO for a Friesian from H. O. and S. J. Haylock (Greenpark). Steers and heifers to 220 kg sold between 128 c and 132 c per kilogram; between 220 and 270 kg, 125 c and 129 c; over 270 kg, for 126 c. Values were:— Prime heavy steers: $413 to $450 with odd sales to $558. Prime medium steers: $364 to $396. Prime light steers: $290 to $341. Prime heavy heifers: $290 to $326 with odd sales ,to $472. Prime medium heifers: $287 to $302. Prime light heifers: $223 to $275. Prime heavy cows: $304 to $320 with odd sales to $4OO. Prime medium cows: $265 to $289. Prime light cows: $219 to $257. Sales of prime cattle included.— Steers: I. C. Stanbury (Little River), 12 at $374 to $3BO, Kinloch Farm (Lttle River), 8 at $356 to $358; J. D. Waller (Little River). 5 at $320 to $374; L. R. Wilkinson Trust (Spotswood), 11 at $340 tj $374; R. W. Long (Hanmer Springs), 13 at $358 to $370; S. Blakely (Culverden), 4 at $304 to $418; A. E. Birdling (Birdlings Flat), 16 at , $336 to $376; D/ W. Horn (Oxford), 1 at- $558; J.- R. and Estate H. W. Branch (Ashburton), 1 at $430; Westburn Trust (Springbank), 4 at $328 to $380; B. Adair (Rangiora), 1 at $426; A. C. Hassall (Hawarden), 2 at $278 to $398; J. P. Chamberlain (Norwood), 6 at $330; J. S. Dalgety (West Melton), 8 at $314 to $360; W. J. Winter and Sons (Ohoka), 4 at $374 to $376; W. S. Gardner (Waiau, 13 at $316 to $372; R. G. Phillips (Christchurch), 10 at $386 to $406; W. O, and M. R, Inch (Te Pirita), 13 at $354 to $390; I. D. Waddy (Ward), 3 at $312 to $406; D. R. Shipley (Harewood), 23 at $3OB to $338; Estate G. van Asch (Cashmere), 4 at $372; A. B. Partridge (Halswell), 10 at $4OO to $442; Decanter Bay Farm (Little Akaloa), 7 at $341 to $354. Heifers: D. O. Masefield (Goughs Bay), 10 at $2lO to $256; Kintail Downs (Weka Pass), 6 at $230 to $278; P.

C. Rhodes (Tai Tapu), 12 at $312; B. L. Haylock (Greenpark), 1 at $472; D. A. Dalron (Methven), 6 at $240 to $272; G. A. Beale (East Eyreton), 3 at $298 to $312; L. G. and G. E. Rennie (Irwell), 4 at $288; T. G, Maxwell (Scargill), 5 at $262; R. Irwin (Christchurch), 1 at $307; D. Beattie (Redwood), 3 at $278 to $340; J.- R, and Estate H. W. Branch (Ashburton), 10 at $250 to $370; K. and B. Stokes (Waikuku), 6 at $264 to $308; Waingaro Farm (Parnassus), 1 at $296; Estate G. van Asch (Cashmere) 3 at $290. Cows: Burnt Hollow, Ltd, (Teddington), 4 at $298 to $324; Waingaro Farm (Parnassus), 6 at $284; W. O. and M. R. Inch (Te Pirita), 13 at $290; Gebbie Bros (Teddington), 1 at $306; D. J. Pickens (Springston), 2 at $268 to $306; P. H. Woods (Ashburton), 4 at $248 to $286; S. G. Anderson (Ohoka), 1 at $284; B. A. McLachlan (Amberley), 10 at $260 to $288; W. H. and R. Croft (Amberley), 16 at $3lO to $360; NewjJl Partnership (Waiau), 12 at $260 to $290; D. A. Dalron (Methven), 1 at $302; Richards Bros (Tai Tapu), 1 at $326; H. O and S. J. Haylock (Greenpark), 5 at $378 to $400; W. M. Gilbert (Springston). 1 at $320. Vealers In line with the prime attle market the sale of .vealers was not enthusiastic. In all 68 were yarded (28 last week). Heifers mainly ranged from 208 to $242, steers from $199 ; to $256 and bulls between $172 to $234. Dairy cattle ' The six dairy cows yarded (none last week) had an average sale. The best price was for a Friesian cow, which fetched $3lO. Others ranged from $240 to $275. Fat pigs Another small yarding of fat pigs sold very well. Demand from retail buyers was strong for all- types of pig. Choppers lacked the buoyancy of recent weeks and were harder to sell. Store buyers were active when lighter choppers were offered) Values were:— Light pork: $6B to $77. Medium and heavy pork: $BO to $92, Light and medium bacon: $95 to $lO5. Heavy bacon; to $125. I Light choppers: $75 to Heavy choppers: $lO5 jfo. $130; - ■■ : Store pigs A very large yarding of store pigs soil at rates similar to last week. Buyers were more selective and lighter pigs were harder to sell. More large stores were offered than has' been the case during recent weeks and. these met a ready demand throughout the sale. Values were: Small weaners: $l5 to $2O. Good weaners: $23 to $3O. Slips and small stores: $33 to $42. Good stores: $4O to $53. Unfinished pork: $6O to $64.'