DROP IN PRICES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1938, Page 24

DROP IN PRICES

_— « : _ | SALE OF LIVESTOCK SHEEP AND CATTLE DOWN Heavy cattle were inclined to ease in the larger yarding at the Westfield stock sale yesterday, although values for prime light weights were firm. Values were inclined to ease in the heavier yarding of sheep, and in spite of steady competition, the decline, in some cases, equalling 2s to 3s a head. Only shorn hoggets came forward, and values were easier. Spring lambs were yarded in much larger numbers, and values were lower all round. Rough sorts, were again in the majority in the calf offering, and prices fell, with values for prime quality firm. Values were fully up to late quotations for the heavier yarding of pigs. . Though the entry of fat cattle at Burnside was not large, prices were easier. This was probably because butchers still had stocks on hand, and there was no outside competition. Quality over all was good, being fully up to recent standards. Cattle were down by 10s a head from the start, and there was a further easing as the sale progressed. There were 175 stores forward and values eased. The largest fat sheep yarding for some time was forward, including .several consignments from South Canterbury, about half being shorn. Supplies were well beyond requirements, and the market eased from the start to the.extent of about 2s a head, passings being fre§uent towards the end of the sale, pring lambs brought recent values. Fat pigs sold under keen competition. Stores were in good supply and were easier. ■ . , , . The fat sheep entry comprised about 4700 head. Except for a few lines the penning consisted almost entirely of shorn sheep and quality generally was good. The sale opened soundly, with a slight advance on rates of a week ago, but over the last two races there was an easing, the supply being in excess of iemand. Prices were:—Extra prime shorn wethers, to 32s Id; prime wethers', 25s 6d to 285.6 d; prime medium, 23s 6d :o 255; light, to 20s 6d; extra prime shorn ewes, to 26s 7d; prime ewes, 20s 3d to 235; prime medium, 18s 6d to 20s; Ight and ordinary, 15s 7d to 18s. The fat cattle entry consisted of about 435 head, the quality again being ibove the average. The sale from the )utset was keen and values were fully in a par with last week, and in some

Heavy cattle were inclined to ease in the larger yarding at the Westfield stock sale yesterday, although values for prime light weights were firm. Values were inclined to ease in the heavier yarding of sheep, and in spite of steady competition, the decline, in some cases, equalling 2s to 3s a head. Only shorn hoggets came forward, and values were easier. Spring lambs were yarded in much larger numbers, and values were lower all round. Rough sorts, were again in the majority in the calf offering, and prices fell, with values for prime quality firm. Values were fully up to late quotations for the heavier yarding of pigs. . Though the entry of fat cattle at Burnside was not large, prices were easier. This was probably because butchers still had stocks on hand, and there was no outside competition. Quality over all was good, being fully up to recent standards. Cattle were down by 10s a head from the start, and there was a further easing as the sale progressed. There were 175 stores forward and values eased. The largest fat sheep yarding for some time was forward, including .several consignments from South Canterbury, about half being shorn. Supplies were well beyond requirements, and the market eased from the start to the.extent of about 2s a head, passings being frequent towards the end of the sale. Spring lambs brought recent values. Fat pigs sold under keen competition. Stores were in good supply and were easier. ■ . , , . The fat sheep entry comprised about 4700 head. Except for a few lines the penning consisted almost entirely of shorn sheep and quality generally was good. The sale opened soundly, with a I slight advance on rates of a week ago, but over the last two races there was an easing, the supply being in excess of demand. Prices were:—Extra prime shorn wethers, to 32s Id; prime wethers', 25s 6d to 285.6 d; prime medium, 23s 6d to 255; light, to 20s 6d; extra prime shorn ewes, to 26s 7d; prime ewes, 20s 6d to 235; prime medium, 18s 6d to 20s; light and ordinary, 15s 7d to 18s. The fat cattle entry consisted of about 435 head, the quality again being above the average. The sale from the outset was keen and values were fully on a par with last week, and in some cases better. Some values were:—

Best beef made about 47s a 1001b, younger prime sorts about 2s more, good heavy 42s 6d to 465, inferior down to 355; extra prime heavy steers to £22 2s 6d, prime heavy £17 15s to £19 15s, prime medium £15 5s to £17 10s; light to £12; extra prime heifers to £15 17s 6d, prime £12 to £14, medium £10 10s co £11 15s; light to £10; extra prime cows to £16 12s 6d, prime £10 5s to £13 ss, medium £8 5s to £9 10s, light £6 to' £8.

The fat pig entry in the porker section was easily the largest for some time and prices from the outset were a shade easier, but over the last two races values eased further by about 3s to ss. The over-supply constituted practically a double market yarding. Choppers came forward in much smaller numbers, the easing of last week being fully recovered. The baconer entry was smaller and the sale was lifeless throughout, values being easier. Prices were: Choppers, £2 13s 6d to £6 Is; porkers, 44s 6d to £3 5s 6d; average price a lb, 73d to B£d. Bacqners, £3 7s 6d to £5 5s 6d: average "price a lb, 7sd to 7|d.