BURNSIDE STOCK SALES

Evening Star, Issue 18533, 16 January 1924, Page 8

BURNSIDE STOCK SALES

SHEEP, CATTLE, AND PIGS EASIER

Each department was well supplied with stock at tho Burnside sales to-day. The supply, in some instances, was in excess of requirements, and prices, in consequence, were considerably easier. The various freezing works having commenced operations, export buyers were in evidence, and secured aTe pens of sheep and lambs. Their presence, in a large measure, helped to keep the lamb market fairly steady. Tho sheep entry included a good sprinkling of well-finished ewes and wethers. The demand was fairly brisk at the opening sales, but gradually eased, aud values at the close showed a drop of about 2s for prime and about Is par head for medium weight sheep. The quality of the lambs offered was not up to the usual standard. Competition was fairly brisk, and pices svere a shade easier. Tho entry of fat cattle was mnch in excess of requirements, and prices were back fully £1 per head, as compared with last week’s rates. Although there was a fair demand for pigs, the market was considerably easier, prices showing a drop of fully 10s per head for prime quality animals.

Sheep.—A large yarding, numbering about 2,100 head. The sale was an erratic one, prices fluctuating at different periods. Extra prime heavy s weighs wethers sold up to 435; prime, 34s to 375; medium, 29s to 31s; light and unfinished sorts, to 275. Extra prime heavy ■weight erves sold up to 36s 6d; prime, 26s to 30s; medium, 21s to 24s 6d; light and aged, 17s to 20s. To-day’s values for prime mutton are on a basis of 6jd per lb. Lambs.—A large yarding, numbering about 1,100 head. The entry included a number of pens of unfinished animals. Extra prime shorn lambs realised up to 38s 3d; prime, 27s to 325; medium, to 265.

Fat Cattle. —A large entry, numbering 300 head. The quality was an improvement on that of the previous sale. At the time of going to press extra prime heavy weight bullocks realised up to £l6 2s 6d, prime heifers to £9 7s 6d, and best cows to £5 10s.

Store Cattle.—A full yarding, about 300 head, including calves, being offered. The entry included three pens of four and five-year-old bullocks from the Gore district. These were well grown and in good condition, and sold up to £7 11s per head. A large number of three-quarter fat cows were purchased for canning purposes at cheap rates. Young cattle, as usual, were hard to quit. Dairy Cattle.—About 25 head were offered . Competition was fairly brisk, but prices were a shade easier. Best cows sold up to £9, three-year-old heifers to £7 10s, and aged cows £3 to £4. Pigs.—A full yarding, all classes being represented. Competition was not very brisk, and lower prices had to be accepted in order to effect sales. Prime baconers were sold on a basis of about 6-? d, and prime porkers on a basis of about Slid per lb.