Dry weather affects sale markedly

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 12

Dry weather affects sale markedly

The long period of dry weather had a marked effect on the sale of store sheep and cattle at the Addington market yesterday. The quality of stock was mixed, with many lighter conditioned animals offered, and the demand from buyers was much less than it had been a month ago. A large yarding of cattle came forward, comprising 825 yearlings and 679 adults. The top beef-bred two-year steers made $450 to $5OO with smaller steers selling from $360. Some good rising two-year heifers were included in the sale and made $360 to $4OO. Smaller heifers sold from $2BO. Yearling cattle, were particularly affected by the dry weather with buyers showing a distinct lack of demand. Few top yearling cattle were offered. Small to medium yearling steers sold from $2OO to $230 although the occasional steer reached $3OO. Small to medium heifers sold at $l6O to $lBO and a line of Hereford cross heifers from G. Stoker, of Cave, made up to $354. Sheep had a difficult sale. Buyers showed little interest in the small yarding of 1213. Prices for ewes and lambs dropped about $1 on recent

sales with an average sale price of $7 to $B. Better quality pens with woolly ewes made up to $l2, medium shorn ewes sold at $8 to $9 and light ewes and lambs sold from $6.50. Most better shorn lambs made up to $l5 with medium weight lambs at $lO to $l3 and light lambs from $5. Most of the dry ewes offered were very light conditioned and sold at $3 to $4. An exception was a line of shorn merino ewes which made up to $18.50. Few buyers were interested in the goats offered for sale. The best of a line of 300 inkid two-tooth does from Northbank Partnership, Rakaia, made $7.50. Other sales were made at $5.50 but the bottom of the line failed to attract a bid at auction. Other does and wethers offered made $2 while 13 Cashgora kids and does made $3.75. Sales included. — — Yearlings: G. Stoker (Cave), 25 Hereford cross heifers at $240 to $354; L. Burney (Motukarara), 7 Angus steers at $310; Opuha Land Company (Fairlie), 30 Angus cross steers at $290; S. J. A. Pain (Cheviot), 15 Murray Grey heifers at $l5B to $212; S. J. Pain (Cheviot), 20 steers at $200; J. C. Douglas (Culverden), 11 steers at

$252; T. and Mrs H. O. Abbott (Darfield), 26 bulls at $l7B to $292; Bel-Hamed Farm (Amberley), 19 heifers at $l9O to $206; J. R. Stanbury (Little River), 17 steers at $220, 30 heifers at $176 to $185; P. H. Stapleton-Smith (Diamond Harbour), 12 steers at $192 to $264. Adults: Opuha Land Company (Fairlie), 54 Simmental cross steers at $466 to $4BB, 63 Simmental cross heifers at $350 to $396; I. C. Macintosh and Son (Waipara), 20 Hereford steers at $432; J. T. and G. C. Beaven (Okuku), 10 Hereford steers at $400; O. W. and S. M. Evans (Hawarden), 25 Shorthorn steers at $362 to $444; J. Andrew (Motunau), 19 Hereford cross steers at $340 to $368; B. A. McLaughlin (Amberley), 22 Angus heifers at $2lB to $248; Garrymere Farm (Rangiora), 6 Simmental cross cows at $402; R. S. and E. P. Wilson (Ashburton), 16 steers at $432 to $500; H. G. Grigg (Cheviot), 24 steers at $3BO to $444; R. J. McDury (McQueens Valley), 22 steers at $230 to $3OO, 9 heifers at $2OO to $290; Teviotdale Estate (Amberley), 17 steers at $402, 15 heifers at $270 to $304; G. and Y. M. Hibbard (Amberley), 45 heifers at $234 to $282; J. L. Boswell (Waiau), 8 cows at $262.