GRAZIERS’ NEED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22241, 29 January 1947, Page 3

GRAZIERS’ NEED

WAIKATO DEMAND

STORE STOCK LINES LAMBS SENT TO WORKS Pastures are still in wonderful order in the Waikato, main drafts of fat lambs have seen sent to the works, and many graziers are understocked. As a result, there is still a keen inquiry for most classes of store stock. Lamb and wether fairs are being held throughout the district and while opening rates have been maintained at the country fairs values were a shade easier at some of the sales toward the end of last week. However, this was caused by the large number offering and is scarcely likely to be permanent. A few lines of breeding ewes have been offered at the Central and Morrinsville centres and have met with a keen demand, up to £2 Is being paid for the tops of a well-grown line of two-tooths from the East Coast. Hawke’s Bay twotooths sold from 26s 6d to 27s 6d and live-year ewes from the same district from 27s to 28s.

The principal country ewe fairs will commence this week, and it is expected that a strong inquiry for all classes will be experienced. Station-bred cattle are coming forward in average numbers for this time of the year, but here again buyers are keen and prices are well above those usually ruling in January. Jersey heifers, running with bull, are also wanted, but quotations of this class are hard lo secure except at high rates. Small yardings of boner cows and potter bulls sell readily at recent firm rates.

Beef.— I The market for fat cattle shows little alteration. At the Central yards values were a shade easier for heavy ox, but prices for light-weights and prime young cows and heifers were practically unchanged. At the country sales light ox beef continues to meet a ready sale, while at some centres prices for prime Jersey cows have been a shade firmer. Heavy prime bullocks sell from £l9 to £2O; prime, £l7 10s to £lB 10s; light, £l6 to £l7; heavy prime young cows and heifers, £l3 10s to £l4 10s; prime, £l2 to £l3; light, £lO 10s to £ll 10s.

Mutton. —Conditions in the fat sheep section also show little alteration. Average yardings of wethers are coming forward at most centres and meet with a steady sale at recent rates. Fat ewes are offering in small numbers and prices for these tend to firm. Heavy prime wethers sell from 35s 6cl to 37s fid; prime, 34s to 355; light prime. 32s to 33s fid: unfinished. 30s to 31 6d; prime fat ewes, 23s to 245: medium, 21s to 225; light, 18s to 20s,