Addington market Calf prices settle down

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 19

Addington market Calf prices settle down

Calf prices dropped to a more realistic level at the Addington market yesterday in a belated response to a decline in prime beef prices. - During the last month, the North Canterbury calf market has remained buoyant in spite of an easing in beef prices. Calf prices had been boosted by fanners eager to diversify into cattle. Prices yesterday, however, were $2O to $3O per head lower than recent Addington rates. As well as a significant easing in real values, part of yesterday’s price adjustment was due to the lower over-all quality of the yarding, compared with markets earlier this month. Much of the yarding comprised young, tussockbred calves and very few exceptionally heavy calves were offered. Most station steer calves sold between $2lO and $260 and a pen of big Simmentals from P. D. Hastings, Irwell, reached $338. Occasional pens of heavy steers sold at $270 to $3OO and small calves were $l4O to $lBO. Most heifers sold between $l5O and $l9O, with top heifers reaching $240 and small calves $l2O to $l4O. Several pens of calves failed to reach their vendors’ reserves at auction, but most were quickly sold later. The yarding contained 1930 calves, compared with about 2500 last week. Adult cattle were in re-

stricted demand also. Twenty month-old steers sold at $276 to $360. Sales included: Calves: A. J. Duncan (Sheffield), .22 Angus-Shorthorn cross steers at $236 to $250; J. U. McCracken (Oxford), 20 Angus and Angus cross steers at $242 to $260, and 24 heifers at $l9O to $222; D. P. and P. J. Graham (Tai Tapu), 29 Maine Anjou cross steers at $lBO to $228, 39 heifers at .$144 to $200; Ayrdale Estate (Springfield), 73 Angus cross and Angus steers at $212 to $246, 62 heifers at $lB4 to $208; M. H. and J. G. Wells (Oxford), 26 Shorthorn cross steers at $lB2 to $240; Renegat Partnership (Long Bay), 46 Murray Grey cross steers at $lB6 to $212, 31 heifers at $152 to $176; Stoney Hill Run (Waikouaiti), 73 Hereford, Angus cross and Angus steers at $lB6 to $240, 37 heifers at $l5O to $176; Glandyfi Partnership (Greta Valley), 12 Simmental cross steers at $284, 13 heifers at $240; Coop Brothers (Weka Pass), 18 Friesian cross heifers at $l3O to $170; Coleridge Downs (Rakaia Gorge), 62 Hereford heifers at $ll4 to $128; P. D. Hastings (Irwell) 8 Simmental steers at $338; Berriedale .Farm (Amberley), 30 Hereford steers at $248 to $270; G. V. Maginnes (Kaituna), 16 Hereford steers at $250 to $294, 16 heifers at $194 to $212; C. H. and B. C. Gallagher (Mt Somers), 43 Limousin Angus cross steers at $230, 22 heifers at $l5O to

$186; Castle Hill station (Porters Pass), 27 HerefordAngus cross steers at $215 to $262, 31 heifers at $176 to $192; R. E. and J. Y. Winterburn (Chorlton), 53 Shorthorn cross heifers at $lBO to $220; Palmdale Farm (Omihi), 17 Hereford-Angus cross heifers at $210; Flock Hill station (Porters Pass), 14 HerefordAngus cross steers at $236, 19 heifers at $176; Haldon Station (Fairlie), 45 Simmental steers at $2OO to $2BO, 56 Hereford steers at $l5O to

$2OO, 36 heifers at $l2B to $l4O, 42 Simmental heifers at $l4O to $170; G. I_ and L. S. Gates (Waikari), 8 Murray Grey steers at $2OO, 10 heifers at $l6O to $lB2. Adults: Glens of Tekoa (Culverden), 12 18-month Hereford and Angus cross steers at $282, 36 heifers at $212 to $258; R. Vincent (Oxford), 17 18-month heifers at $2lO to $214; M. G. Craw (Okains Bay), 7 20-month Angus cross steers at $350, 8 heifers at $290.