Addington market Tiny yard ing of prime stock

Press, 2 April 1985, Page 30

Addington market Tiny yard ing of prime stock

The shutdown yesterday of New Zealand’s meat works because of striking tradesmen resulted in very small numbers of prime stock yarded at the Addington market yesterday. The market contained sufficient prime sheep and beef cattle to fill the demand from local butchers, and prices were generally on a par with last week’s sale. The short working week because of Easter compounded the problems caused by the lack of killing space resulting from the strike. One regular observer at Addington said it was the smallest yarding of prime stock there for many years. Prime lambs A yarding of 370 prime lambs sold very well considering the lack of buying power. Last week the yarding was 1422. Light works lambs eased slightly in price and goodquality butchers’ lambs generally made between $2B and $33. Good shorn stock sold to $2B. Values were: Heavy lambs, to $33. Medium lambs, $23 to $26.20. Light lambs, $l9 to $22. Sales included: C. A. Jamieson (Halswell), 9 at $26.20 to $29; R. J. Chapman (Waikari), 19 shorn at $25.40 to $27; R. C. Reid (Ohoka), 37 at $22 to $29; D. W. Wright (Duvauchelle), 38 shorn at $25.80 to $28.20; M. Lowe (Rakaia), 20 at $25.60 to $2B; Eyrebank Farm (West Eyreton), 31 shorn at $22.40 to $25.20; Glenlachan Farm (Governor’s Bay), 30 at $21.40 to $25.60; O. E. Bothwell (Ladbrooks), 7 at $27.20 to $29.20. Prime sheep Only 330 prime hoggets and old ewes were offered compared with 1350 last week. Old ewes were in strong demand from local butchers and prices improved slightly on last week’s level. Good-quality shorn ewes exceeded $l6. Overfat hoggets were heavily discounted, but good cutting sheep sold steadily. Hoggets with reasonable pelts made to $3O. Values were: Best shorn old ewes, to $16.60, with woolly ewes to $lB. Medium old ewes, $l2 to $l4. Best hoggets, to $3O. Medium hoggets, $23.60 to $25.60. Sales included: Old ewes: J. and M. Bell (Teddington), 10 at $16.40 to $18.20; J. H. Dugdale (Ohoka), 13 at $16.40 to $16.60; O. M. Prattley (Cust), 10 at $l6 to

A. F. McArthur (Whitecliffs), 21 at $l4 to $15.20; Mrs M. Chappell (Yaldhurst), 13 at $13.60 to $14.80; Eyrebank Farm (West Eyreton), 29 at $15.20 to $lB. Hoggets: Eyrebank Farm (West Eyreton), 27 at $25.20 to $29. Prime cattle Buyer interest remained keen in the beef market and prices were very satisfactory for vendors in view of another drop in the beef export schedule. The yarding of only 75 head (250 last week) helped most prices remain on a par with last week’s market. A Hereford-Angus-cross steer topped the market at $862 for J. Plaskett, Fernside. The steer was one of 15 from Mr Plaskett which made between $7lO and $862. Prime steers and heifers to 220 kg sold between 225 c and 235 c a kilogram; from 220 kg to 270 kg, 225 c and 235 c; and over 270 kg, to 240 c. Values were: Prime heavy steers, to $862. Prime medium steers, $570 to $690. Prime light steers, $476 to $560. Prime heavy heifers, to $648. Prime medium heifers, $4BO to $572. Prime light heifers, $4OO to $470. Prime medium cows, $474 to $550. Prime light cows, $4OO to $460. Sales included: Steers: W. A. and F. R. Partridge (Killinchy), 4 at $704 to $750; R. G. Phillips (Takamatua), 8 at $730 to $852; Birch Hill station (Oxford), 4 at $630; J. Plaskett (Fernside), 15 at $7lO to $862; J. and M. Bell (Teddington), 1 at $772. Heifers: T. J. Masefield (Goughs Bay), 7 at $5OO to $618; P. D. Hastings (Irwell), 3 at $440; D. O. Masefield and Sons (Goughs Bay), 9 at $558 to $648; Mrs F. Dalgety (West Melton), 1 at $6OO. Cows: T. J. Masefield (Goughs Bay), 5 at $430 to $504; D. O. Masefield and Sons (Goughs Bay), 4 at $4BB to $514; Mrs F. Dalgety (West Melton), 1 at $566. Bobby calves A lack of buying power contributed to an easing in bobby calf prices. Most Friesian bull calves sold from $72 to $9B, Friesian heifers were $35 to $5O, Hereford-cross bulls $B2 to $lO2, and Hereford-cross heifers $45 to $62. The yarding was 30. Pigs No fat pigs were offered and there was only a small number of store and breeding pigs. Prices showed little change from last week’s market.