SLIGHTLY FIRMER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22438, 19 September 1947, Page 2

SLIGHTLY FIRMER

HOGGETS WETHERS SELL AT 457OX BEEF ADVANCES £2 ■<F.A.)' . HASTINGS, Sept. 18. Hoggets, which provided the bulk of the yarding of 2500 head of store sheep at the Stortford Lodge sale yesterday, fully maintained last week's improved values ana were, if anything, slightly firmer. Quality wether hoggets were traded at from 38s to 39s the latter price, the season’s best, being paid for a particularly attractive line. Smaller sorts made 30s 9d to 34s 7d. Ewe hoggets changed hands at from 34s 4d to 37s 4d. Values for ewes and lambs ranged from 26s 6d to 32s 6d, all counted. Great-conditioned wethers topped the selling for this class of sheep at 455, others making dearer buying at 43s 9d. Fat sheep shared in the improved demand. Ewes were dearer by 2s a head and butchers also paid more for hoggets and wethers. For all classes of sheep, the season’s top prices were paid. Few wethers came forward, heavy sorts making 47s Id to 50s 4d, and lighter 41s Id to 42s 4d. Extra prime young ewes sold at up to 49s lOd. with other young ewes •-at 37s 4d to 38s lOd. Extra heavy older ewes made 39s 7d. with prime at 35s lOd to 37s 4d, medium at 34s lOd, and unfinished at 20s lOd to 28s 4d. Shorn ewes sold at 26s 4d, extra heavy hoggets sold to 40s 4d, heavy making 43s 4d to 43s lOd, medium 38s lOd to 40s lOd, and lighter 35s lOd. Values for Downcross two-tooths ranged from 42s lOd to 47s lOd. Some Attractive Cattle The recent upward movement in store cattle values was maintainedwhen prices showed a definite advance. West coast buyers entered the market and added to its buoyancy. The usual September flow of cattle was marked by an entry of 1200 head which included some attractive pens. Cattle in forward condition, and particularly females, which are in short supply, excited keen competition, buyers apparently taking into account the schedules which are to operate next season. Bullocks in forward order sold at from £l6 13s to £l7, three-off steers being traded at £l2 10s to £l3 14s, two-off steers at £ll 5s to £l2 12s and yearling steers at from £7 6s to £8 4s. Empty cows in store order brought £lO 8s; and three-year heifers £lO 15s. Where quality beef was offered in the yarding of 180 head, bidding by butchers was animated and values for ox advanced by about £2 a head on those of last week. Some excellent quality bullocks came forward, but, as with the females, there was a proportion of inferior sorts. The most noteworthy offering was a consignment of A.A. "cattle—l 6 bullocks sold at from £25 13s 6d to £26 18s 6d to average £26 4s, and a single pen of heavy heifers brought from £ls 18s 6d to £l6 13s 6d. A further consignment made up to £25 13s 6d and averaged £24 12s. Medium ox was traded at £2O 16s to £23 3s 6d and light and unfinished bullocks at £l4 8s 6d to £l7 13s 6d. Heavy heifers sold from £ls 18s 6d to £l6 13s 6d, prime making to £ls 13s 6d and unfinished £ll 11s to £l2 18s 6d. Medium cows sold at £ll 6s to £l2 18s 6d, lighter making £9 13s 6d to £lO 11s. Vealers were traded at £4 5s to £7 10s.