Easing in prime lamb prices

Press, 15 July 1987, Page 38

Easing in prime lamb prices

An easing in the price of prime lambs was the main feature of the sale of prime sheep and cattle at the Addington market yesterday. Lamb prices eased about $2 a head as buyers came under pressure from another big yarding of stock. The demand for older sheep, however, remained firm and the beef market aroused a little more interest than last week.

In the pig section, prime pigs had an improved sale. Most weaners sold exceptionally well at $5O to $75. Prime lambs The demand for prime lambs failed to reach the dizzy heights of the last two weeks and prices eased about $2 a head. In spite of the drop in price, the lamb market retained a confident tone. Prices at the start of the sale were more than $2 a head cheaper, but quickly picked up. Competition among butchers and outside buyers was steady, with heavy ram lambs at $36 to $47 drawing most interest. Lambs at the light end of the market suffered most from the price decline and several sales were made at $22 to $24 compared with $25 to $27 for similar quality lambs last week.

The yarding was 2880 compared with 3200 last week. Values were:— Heavy ram lambs, to $4O, with some sales to $47. Medium lambs, $27 to $3l. Light lambs, $22 to $25. Sales included:—

J. J. and J. M. Cromie (Rakaia), 74 at $26.40 to $42.60; Land Corporation (Molesworth farm, Hanmer Springs), 28 at $32.40 to $36; L. B. and P. A. Weber (Springston), 44 at $2l to $25; N. C. Cossar (Summerhill), 21 at $25 to $31.20; Morrish Farming Partnership (Springston), 52 at $23.40 to $3l; D. J. and E. M. Turner (Hawarden), 23 at $24.40 to $2B; G. A. Reed (Oxford), 27 at $27 to $34.60; L. G. Barnett (Lakeside), 40 at $27.20 to $28.20; I. P. Chamberlain and Company (Norwood), 112 at $24.80 to $35.40; H. A. and H. J. Hartley (Okains Bay), 20 at

$2l to $25.80; N. and N. J. Donaldson (Chorlton), 36 at $2O to $29.40; J. A. Pankhurst and Son (Omihi), 31 at $23 to $26.60; Estate J. M. Duncan (Darfield), 30 at $24 to $39; H. H. Wauchop (Whitecliffs), 54 at $3O to $36.20; R. J. and S. J. Truesale (Bumham), 34 at $25.20 to $29.80; E. W. Mosley (Scargill), 90 at $26.40 to $32.20; N. T. and B. M. Inch (Te Pirita), 38 at $25 to $27.40; J. R. and G. Payne (Rakaia), 24 at $2B to $3l; R. J. Boleyn (Stoney Bay), 36 at $23.20 to $26; R. McCaw (Doyleston), 87 at $26 to $34.40; C. O. Parr (Bankside), 29 at $31.20 to $34; K. A. Greenwood (Southbridge), 37 at $2O to $30.80; Cons Hill Partnership (Hawarden), 22 at $30.20 to $33.20; J. S. J. McCaskey (Waipara), 46 at $2B to $35; A. and P. Haylock (Akaroa), 64 at $23 to $35.80; P. and A. Mowat (Kaikoura), 20 to $33.60 to $37.20; J. and D. Thomas (Kaikoura), 42 at $29.60 to $3l; R. B. and S. G. A. Hoban (Culverden), 50 at $29.80 to $46.20; Mt Torlesse Station (Springfield), 20 at $3B to $47; A. J. Watkins (Springston), 78 at $30.40 to $36; M. J. .Summerfield (Homebush), 30 at $25.40 to $2B; W. D. Henderson (Halkett), 69 at $25.60 to $35; G. B. Giller (Rangiora), 50 at $28.60 to $39.40; H. A. Patterson (Lakeside), 44 at $2B to $33.20; W. J. Brooks (Brookside), 36 at $2B to $35; M. Witbrock (Dunsandel), 88 at $27.80 to $32; A. H. Wilkinson (Ashburton), 18 at $38.80 to $4O; R. and K. Foster (Hororata), 26 at $37.80 to $38.20; T. D. Costello Partnership (Hawarden), 182 at $25.80 to $29.40; C. R. Hurley (Sefton), 46 at $22 to $29; K. M. Fowler (Halkett), 77 at $26.80 to $32.60. Prime sheep

The decline in the lamb market had no effect on prices of a small yarding of adult sheep. Old ewes continued to sell well, the better quality heavy ewes making $2O to $24, and ewes with heavier pelts making slightly more.

Medium ewes were keenly sought at $l6 to $l9 and very

few ewes sold for less than $l5. Most good hoggets ranged from $23 to $2B, and a line of annual draft wethers reached $25.60.

The yarding was 1080 compared with 1650 last week. Values were:— Best old ewes, to $22, with woolly ewes to $27. Medium old ewes, $l6 to $lB.

Light old ewes, $l4 to $l6. Best hoggets, to $28.60. Medium hoggets, $22 to $25.

Sales included:— Old ewes: N. T. and B. M. Inch (Te Pirita), 48 at $2O to $21.20; G. A. Reed (Rangiora), 29 to $15.60 to $23.60; J. M. Woodfield (Horrelville), 53 at $18.20 to $19.80; J. L. and S. J. Doak (Omihi), 61 at $lB.BO to $23; S. F. Redmond (Lincoln), 109 at $19.80 to $24.80; C. H. Upham (Parnassus), 72 at $23.40 to $24.80, and 30 annual draft wethers at $23.60 to $25.60; D. R. Fraser (Hurunui), 23 at $22 to $22.60; D. J. and J. Stewart (Rakaia), 84 at $23.80 to $26.

Hoggets: J. L. and S. J. Doak (Omihi), 46 at $18.40 to $27.60; Davison Holdings (Pigeon Bay), 17 at $23.60 to $2B, and 49 four-tooths at $22 to $25; D. R. Fraser (Hurunui), 30 at $22 to $22.60. Prime cattle Stronger bidding from butchers and processing companies lifted the general tone of the beef market, although it still lacked the strength evident several weeks ago. The market, however, was much more confident than last week, with heavyweight steers and heifers selling quite well. Some of the lighter, poorly finished cattle drew limited interest.

Most good quality beef fetched 205 c to 210 c a kilogram, with odd sales round 215 c.

The yarding was 271 compared with 300 last week. Among leading prices were a Friesian steer from J. Dalgety of West Melton, at $925, and a Simmental cross heifer from F. W. and H. G. Coup, of Glenroy, at $668.

Prime steer and heifer beef to 220 kg sold between 205 c and 210 c a kilogram; from 220 kg to 270 kg, 205 c and 210 c; and over 270 kg, to 215 c.

Values were:— Prime heavy steers, to $925. Prime medium steers, $560 to $650. Prime light steers, $450 to $560. Prime heavy heifers, to $668. Prime medium heifers, $450 to $520. Prime light heifers, $3BO to $440. Prime heavy cows, to $620. Prime medium cows, $4lO to J 46 - . Prime light cows, $270 to $3BO.

Sales included: — Steers: F. D. C. Brown (Coalgate), 5 at $552; D. K. Rutherford (Hawarden), 5 at $590 to $656; T. J. Masefield (Goughs Bay), 2 at $652; J. Dalgety (West Melton), 9 at $706 to $925; I. C. Mackintosh and Son (Waipara), 4 at $530 to $654; J. J. Lochhead (Omihi), 6 at $702 to $770; A. F. S. and W. H. Rutherford (Culverden), 9 at $750 to $800; D. O. Masefield and Son (Goughs Bay), 3 at $658 to $700; L. R. Collett (Ashburton), 6 at $4BO to $542; W. R. McKeage (Hinds), 5 at $7BO to $812; C. J. McLaughlin (Methven), 18 at $494 to $606; I. C. Mackintosh and Son (Waipara), 4 at $548; Glenlachlan Farm (Omihi), 6 at $570 to $596; J. J. Allison (Fernside), 7 at $5BB to $620. Heifers: E. W. and H. B. Coup (Glenroy), 11 at $630 to $668; T. J. Masefield (Goughs Bay), 8 at $460 to $480; A. B. and J. L. Totty (Ashburton), 2 at $450; Mrs A. I. Fox (Scargill), 1 at $526; F. D. C. Brown (Coalgate), 4 at $440; J. Andrews (Motanau), 7 at $422; A. van der Ley (Marshland), 19 at $426 to $504; C. J. McLaughlin (Methven), 5 at $448.

Cows: V. S. Shadbolt (Duvauchelie), 4 at $3BB to $440; A. and P. Haylock (Akaroa), 1 at $476; Knockindale Estate (Pigeon Bay), 7 at $474 to $542; P. J. Gardner (Scargill),

3 at $440 to $520; A. J. and h ' S. Hill (Ashburton), 5 at 1580 to $620; H. O. and S?J Haylock (Greenpark), 4 »♦ $5OB to $610; L. R. (Hawarden), 5 at $282 tds4s6. Bobby calves

A yarding of 72 bobby calves had another good sale, nuxt Friesian bull calves selling between $56 and $122. Mo« Friesian heifers made $42 to $B6, beef cross bulls $6B to $llB, and beef cross heifers $5O to $lOO. Dairy cows £ : An in-milk Friesian heifer which sold at $460 and a second-calver which was passed in were the only dairy cows offered.

Prime pigs The quality of a small yarding of prime pigs was much improved on recent standards and buyers were' able to bid freely on most' pens. Good quality medium to 1 heavy pork sold consistently ' ’ between $l2O and $135 and' top baconers reached $172. , A big yarding of choppers' sold well and a large number 1 L were in suitable condition for? retail buyers. Values were:— ?i ’ Light pork, $lOO to $ll5. ‘ Medium to heavy port,' $l2O to $135. ,< Light to medium bacon,' $l4O to $155. C Heavy bacon, to $172. Light choppers, $l6O to! $2OO. ' 1,. Heavy choppers, $2OO to’ $250. ;

Store pigs , Store pig buyers were' again unable to complete* buying orders as a medium-’ sized yarding of pigs drew! strong competition from local' and outside buyers. Breeding l stock, however, did not meet; with the same strong demand’ as last week and only a, handful of sows - attracted' more than average interest 1 Values were:— Small weaners, $5O to $60..' Good weaners, $65 to $75. < Slips and small stores, $BO ‘ to $9O. Large stores, to $lOO.