Shortage of prime lambs, ewes causes price jump

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 32

Shortage of prime lambs, ewes causes price jump

A shortage of prime lambs and ewes at the Addington market yesterday resulted in a substantial jump in the prices of prime stock. Several pens of heavy lambs sold between $2B and $32, and a line of big-framed woolly ram lambs made to $40.20. Old ewes were in very strong demand, with prices rising about $3 a head above last week. The cattle market was also affected by a small supply of stock and prime beef prices regularly reached 215 c a kilogram. Prime lambs Several top individual sales were recorded during a very strong prime lamb sale. A line of 18 big woolly ram lambs from A. J. and F. D. Phillips, of Broadfield, sold at $4O to $40.20, and shorn lambs from D. J. and J. A. Heffer, Greenpark, sold to $32.20. Prices of all types were at least $2 dearer than at last week’s sale. Only very light lambs made less than $l9, while most medium-to-heavy butchers' lambs ranged from $24 to $32. The yarding was almost 900 lambs compared with 1620 last week. Values were:— Heavy lambs, to $32, with some sales to $40.20. Medium lambs, $23 to $27. Light lambs, $l9 to $22. Sales included:— B. Thomas (Halswell), 20 at $21.40 to $26.80; A. J. and F. D. Phillips (Broadfield), 18 at $4O to $40.20; N. A. Reid (Greta Valley), 7 at $26 to $3B; Christchurch Airport Farm (Harewood), 20 at $26.20 to $29.20; and 16 at $26.60; D. J. and J. A. Heffer (Greenpark), 161 shorn at $22.20 to $32.20; L. E. Bedford (Rakaia), 17 at $2930 to $3O; F. R. Cottrell (Tai Tapu), 16 at $25.60 to $2B; T. Weaver (Rangiora), 18 at $28.80 to $3l; B. L. and D. J. McCloy (Yaldhurst), 14 at $27 to $31.80; Broadfield Farm (Broadfield), 76 at $23.20 to $25.20; C. J. Marshfield (Motukarara), 18 at $20.20 to $24.40; J. G. Hassan (Rangiora), 35 at $22.20 to $26.80; M. Bradley (Leeston), 47 at $24.60 to $25.60; Canterbury Timber Products (Rangiora), 45 at $27 to $28.80. Prime sheep Most good-quality, heavy old ewes sold between $l3 and $l6 in a buoyant prime sheep market. Ewe prices were generally $3 ahead of last week, and in some cases slightly more. < Ewes with well-grown fleeces made $l7 to $lB, and full-wooiled sheep sold to about $2l. Most light ewes ranged from $7 to $ll. Hogget prices remained steady at $lB to $23 for most medium to good sheep. Prices held up well in spite of a bigger, offering. The total sheep yarding was 1850, compared, with 1760 last week. Values were:— Best old ewes, to $l6, with heavily-woolled ewes to $2l. Medium old ewes, $ll to $l3. Light old ewes, $6 to $lO. Best hoggets, to $24. Medium hoggets, $l9 to $2l. Light hoggets, $l5 to $lB. Sales included:— Old ewes: Fincham Trust (Hawarden), 35 at $ll.BO to $17.60; J. L. and M. E. Richards (Amberley), 50 at $ll to $13.60; R. L. Grant (Rangiora), 41 at $B.BO to $16.80; J. J. Lochhead (Omlhi), 25 wethers at $16.20; G. A. McVicar (Cashmere), 63 at $11.60 to $l6; W. E. Tilley (Darfield), 84 at $ll to $16.80; D. L. Newman (Tai Tapu), 124 at $lO to $13.80; E. W. Coop and Son (Port Levy), 42 at $9.60 to $l7; M. G._ Gould (Rotherham), 18 at $l2 to $17.80; W. A. D. Wilson (Waikuku), 40 at $lO.BO to $17.20; W. Alan Gray (Teddington), 74 at $11.40 to $17.80; Dalray Farm (Amberley), 35 at $l5 to $l7; Mrs B. G. Rutherford (Amberley), 63 at $l3 to $l7. Hoggets: W. R. McKeegan (Hawarden), 48 at $16.80 to $19.20; H. R. Rutherford (Hawarden), 57 at $16.20 to $19.20; W. E. Tilley (Darfield), 13 four-tooths at $17.60; Purau Farm (Purau), 54 at $20.20 to $23.20; M. G. Gould (Rotherham), 41 at $lB to $23. Prime cattle Another small yarding of 222 head of prime cattle led to strong competition from butchers and meat companies

and a significant rise in beef prices. Most good-quality steer and heifer beef ranged from 200 c to 215 c a kilogram, with some sales of choice quality beef reaching 220 c. Several excellent-quality cattle were yarded, Including an Angus cross steer .from K. Plaskett, of Fernside, which topped the market at $9OO. A Hereford-cross heifer from B. Murphy, Halswell, sold at $642 and a cow from R. E. and J. Y. Winterburn, Chorlton, made $560. Prime steers and heifers to 220 kg sold between 200 c and 215 c a kilogram; from 220 kg to 270 kg, 200 c and 215 c; and over 270 kg, to 215 c. Values were:— Prime heavy steers, to $9OO. Prime medium steers, $550 to $650. Prime light steers, $440 to $540. • Prime heavy heifers, to $642. Prime medium heifers, $450 to $5OO. Prime light heifers, $4OO to $440. Prime heavy cows, to $560. Prime medium cows, $420 to $460. Prime light cows, $3BO to $4lO. Sales included:— Steers: B. Addie and Company (Kaiapoi), 6 at $464 to $522; K. Plaskett (Fernside), 16 at $782 to $900; J. K. Fincham (Hawarden), 12 at $5OB to $682; J. R. Wilkinson (Cheviot), 4 at $656; L. R. Wilkinson (Cheviot), 2 at $656; M. G. Gould (Rotherham), 11 at $558 to $606; Ben Ohau station (Fairiie), 12 at $5OO to $622; A. R. and H. K. Dalglish (Le Bans Bay), 6 at $6BB to $724; K. J. and A. R. Dalglish (Le Bons Bay), 6 at $730; J. G. Hassan (Springbank), 2 at $698 to $736; K. T. Fairbairn (Doyleston), 1 at $758; I. C. Stanbury (Little River), 12 at $714 to $776; W. Sullivan (Little River), 5 at $670 to $760; J. D. R. White (Little River), 8 at $7lB to $772. Heifers: B. Addie and Company (Kaiapoi), 4 at $448; G. L. and G. E. Orr (West Melton), 7 at $458 to $500; N. A. Dunlop (Bumham), 4 at $4BO to $568; NUklwal Partnership (Culverden), 6 at $494; B. Murphy (Halswell), 1 at $642; Blatchford Farm (Lyttelton), 2 at $492 and $500; Glenalla Farm (Sedgemere), 4 at $448 to $482. Cows: R. E. and J. Y. Winterbum (Duvauchelle), 2 at $544 and $560; Richards Brothers (Belfast), 1 at $408; Blatchford Farm (Lyttelton), 1 at $555; M. S. Dulieu (Greenpark), 4 at $422 to $4BO. Bobby calves Good support from southern districts helped keep bobby calf prices fully firm. Most Friesian bulls made $7O to $llO, Friesian heifers $3O to $6O, beef cross bulls $BO to $l2O, and beef cross heifers $5O to $96. The yarding was about 100. Dairy cows Three big-framed, springing Friesian heifers were a feature of the dairy cow sale, making $4BO (twice) and $450. Other prices included in-calf Friesian heifers at $425 and $360, a Friesian cow and calf at $325, an Ayrshire heifer and calf at $3OO, and a springing Ayrshire heifer at $355. Prime pigs Top baconers were in a steady demand and fetched $lBO during a sound sale of prime pigs. Light and medium porkers, however, suffered from restricted competition. Choppers again sold soundly at up to $290. Values were:— Light to medium pork, $lOO to $ll5. Heavy pork, $llB to $l3O. Light to medium bacon, $145 to $l6O. .Heavy bacon, to $lB4. Light choppers, $l5O to $l9O. Heavy choppers, $220 to $295. Store Pigs The bulk of the pigs in a medium-sized yarding of stores were of good quality, enabling the local buying gallery to bid freely. Prices showed little change from recent sales. Values were:— Small weaners, $3O to $36. Good weaners, $4O to $52. Slips and small stores, $55 to $7O. Large stores, to $BO.