BURNSIDE STOCK SALES

Evening Star, Issue 21965, 27 February 1935, Page 12

BURNSIDE STOCK SALES

LAMB VALUES REMAIN STEADY There was no alteration on last week’s prices in the fat lamb values at Burnside to-day. Fat cattle showed a decrease in value at the start, but afterwards late rates were touched; while bacon pigs were dearer than usual, and porkers remained on an even keel. The fat sheep sale had only started when the ‘ Star ’ went to press, but the best sheep were meeting with ready buyers, who gave prices equal to those gained last week. A much larger entry than last week came forward in the fat cattle pens, there being 315 head. There was a general improvement in the quality, the majority of the bullocks being mediumweights, with a few heavy-weights included. Cows were in a greater supply than usual, and a big number of these were first grade, while others were specially good. The same applied to the quality of the heifers. Butchers’ supplies were running short as a result of their being unable to fulfil their requirements at the last sale, and had there been a small yarding to-day high rates would have ruled. However, the values were steady. From the opening, prices were back fully 15s a head compared with last week, and there was no alteration until the last two races were reached, when rates rose to the level ruling a week ago. The top price was £ll 2s 6d, which was obtained for different drafts from Mataura, Tapanui, and Taieri.

The following prices were reached during the sale:—Otago Farmers’ Cooperative Association: Heavy Bullocks, £8 17s (id to £9 17s fid; medium, £fi 17s fid to £7 17s fid; light, £5 7s fid to £5 17s fid; heavy heifers, £6 7s fid; medium, £5 7s fid; light, £3 7s fid to £4 7s fid; heavy cows. £5 12s fid to £5 17s fid; medium, £4 2s fid to £4 17s fid; light, £2 17s fid to £3 17s fid. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company: Heavy bullocks, £8 17s fid to £9 7s fid; medium, £6 17s fid to £7 17s fid; light, £5 12s fid; heavy heifers, £6 12s fid; medium, £5 12s fid; light, £3 7s fid to £4 12s fid; heavy cows, £5 2s fid to £6 7s fid; medium, £4 2s fid to £4 17s fid; light, £3 17s fid. National Mortgage and Agency Company: Heavy bullocks, £8 17s fid to £9 17s fid; medium, £7 2s fid to £7 17s fid; light, £5 17s fid to £6 12s fid; heavy heifers, £6 17s fid; medium, £5 7s fid to £5 17s fid; light, £4 17s fid; heavy cows, £5 2s fid to £5 17s fid; medium, £4 2s fid to £4 17s fid; light, £3 12s fid. Stronach, Morris and Co.: Heavy bullocks, £8 17s fid to £9 7b fid; medium, £7 2s fid to £7 17s fid; light, £5 17s fid to £6 12s fid; medium heifers, £3 7s fid to £5 17s fid; light, £4 17s fid; heavy cows, £5 7s fid; medium, £4 2s fid to £4 17s fid; light, £3 2s fid to £3 17s fid. Donald Reid and Co.: Extra heavy bullocks, £lO 17s fid; heavy, £8 17s fid to £9 7s fid; medium, £7 2s fid to £7 17s fid; light. £5 17s 6d to £6 17s fid; heavy heifers, £6 17s fid; medium, £5 2s fid to £5 17s fid; light, £4 17s fid; medium cows, £4 2s fid to £4 7s fid; light, £2 17s fid to £3 12s fid. Wright, Stephenson, and Co.: Extra heavy bullocksi £lO 12a fid to £ll 2s fid; heavy, £8 17s fid to £9 12s fid; medium, £7 2s fid to £8 2s fid; light, £5 17s fid to £6 17s fid; light heifers, £4 17s fid; heavy cows, £5 17s fid to £7 2s fid; medium, £4 2s fid to £4 7s fid; light, £5 17s fid. Dalgety and Co,; Extra heavy bullocks, £lO 12s fid to £ll 7s fid; heavy, £8 17s fid to £9 17s fid; medium, £7 7s fid to £7 17s fid ; light. £6 17s fid; extra heavy heifers, £9 2s 6d; heavy, £6 T7s fid; medium, £5 7s fid; light, £4 17s fid; heavy cows, £5 7s fid to £5 1/s fid; medium, £4 2s fid to £4 lis fid; light, £2 17s fid to £3 17s fid. Tho average quality in the sheep penning of some 2,200 could bo classed as poor. There were no heavy-weight wethers, the bulk of these being only medium, with a fair number light, unsuitable for butchers. Although there were some specially good ewes, the majority of the class was made up of light and plain stuff. It was thought that tho best ewes ivould be in demand, especially in view of the shortage of good wethers. Light ewes were not required by the butchers, and it was probable that these would bo taken by the exporters. The sale opened on a race of poor quality. These were principally light ewes suitable for freezers. The demand was spirited when the better sheep were offered, and values for the best sorts were equal to those of last week: In some cases, especially when extra good ewes were offered, there was a further rise, sometimes between 2s and 2s fid a head.

About _ 1,200 lambs made up a medium-sized entry. Some specially fine lanibs and a big number of mediumweights, together with a sprinkling of light sorts, were sent in. Freezing buyers were operating at slightly reduced rates, but their drop of Id did not materially affect prices, as exporters were keen buyers in most cases over schedule rates. Consequently the sale was a good one at values firm at late rates. Approximately 100 vealers were offered, ami a very keen sale resulted. Prices showed an increase on last week, the best‘ sorts bringing £2 ss, with others selling to 30s. There was a very small yarding of store cattle, with no quotable lines forward. Three pens of three-year-old steers and a few pens of heifers of mixed breeding sold at easier rates thau before. Last week’s low rates were touched when a large yarding of miked and inferior boner cows was sold.

Due to a short yarding, bacon pigs experienced a sharp rise in price, selling from £3 5s to £4 11s, or equal to about 7d Iju Porkers realised from 30s to £2 15s, which averages about 6Jd lb.