CATTLE VALUES EASIER

Evening Star, Issue 23174, 25 January 1939, Page 14

CATTLE VALUES EASIER

LAMBS MAINTAIN SCHEDULE RATES DROP IN SHEEP PRICES LIKELY STOCK AUCTIONS AT BURNSIDE Depression marked the fat cattle sale at the Burnside stock auctions to-day; prime heavy bullocks, which were the centre of attraction, showed recessions in value from £1 to £1 10s. Other descriptions yarded were easier by £1 10s to £2. Though only of average quality, fat lambs yarded brought full schedule rates. Sheep had not been offered, but owing to an exceptionally heavy entry of mediocre quality in some cases it was expected that there would be rather heavy decreases in value. Store cattle also had not been sold. .. Prime bullocks of medium quality comprised the majority of the large entry of about 480 head of fat cattle yarded. Cows and heifers were offered in larger numbers than usual, but not many prime heavy bullocks were penned. The latter attracted the best competition, but all classes met with a depressed market. Prime heavy bullocks showed decreases in value ranging from £1 to £1 10s, while all other descriptions showed recessions of £1 10s to £2. Towards the close of the auction most buyers had filled their requirenients, with the result that the sale dragged, some pens being passed out unsold. An excessively large entry of over 3,000 fat sheep was penned, tins being the result of the good prices obtained last week. Ewes made up a big proportion of the entry. With few exceptions, these could only bo described as mediocre. Wethers forward included a few trucks of prime grades, but the bulk of these were of medium descriptions. ... , Though there was a fairly large entry, fat lambs showed only average quality. However, there was a good demand, prices maintaining full schedule rates. Extra special quality brought to £1 9s 9d; primes, from £1 3s to £1 5s 6d; and medium descriptions from 19s to £1 Is. Ninety-eight fat pigs were yarded. Baconer's were forward in smaller numbers than porfkers, but maintained late rates. The latter were firm to a shade better than at the last market. Stores numbered 46.