STORE LAMES IN DEMAND AT STORTFORD LODGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22821, 16 December 1948, Page 8

STORE LAMES IN DEMAND AT STORTFORD LODGE

(P.A.I

HASTINGS, Dec. 16,

Interest in the store sheep market at Stortford Lodge yesterday swung largely to store lambs when the first lines of the season came forward the market opened on a particularly strong note.

Bidding on wethers, which continued to provide, the bigger part of the yarding of 3000 head, was inclined to hang fire and several pens were passed in. Some of the main lines of 'Down cross lambs were particularly good and could scarcely be fairly described as stores.

The best sale was one at 34s 3d Other values for main lines ranged from 30s Od to 335.

The top price of "as (id was obtained for two-tooth wethers. Other wethers of the same age realised 33s 3d. four tooths selling al 34s Bd, with one pen passed in at 3(is lOd.

Good shorn two tooth ewes brought 43s 6d and emptv store ewes made lOs Id Ewe values were slightly easier in Lie fat sheep market because of the holiriav demand lor lamb and poultry, bu. the market was otherwise strong. Prime aged ewes realised 26s Id t.c 27s 7d. medium weight sorts bringing 23s lOd to 25s 4d and light 20s 4d.

Prime young ewes sold at up to 33s 10d. unfinished being traded at 23s lOd to 2(is 4d Prime young 'Down ewes realised 35s 4d to 35s 7ri. Medium to prime \vclh°rs found a market at 35s Id to 37s 7d. Good lambs were knocked down at 38s Id and others brought 31s Id to 33s 4d. Medium woolly hoggets realised 30s. From the strength of the store cattle market. it was evident that some farmers still require cattle to cope with the feed position on their properties. Although the rostrum was only about half filled and a number of lines lacked quality, the bidding was well sustained on a level in line with recent high rates. Most lines in the offering of 330 head were small. The most attractive quality was offered in the opening pen. A.A. bullocks, which sold at £2O. Smaller bullocks in good order realised £lB and light three-vear steel's £l3 15s.

Solidly grown yearling steers made £lO 15s and other cattle of the same age changed hands at £8 5s to £9 12s Empty cows sold at £9 2s (id to £ll Two-year heifers made £ll and yearling heifers, for which the demand was particularly keen, £6 7s to £7 18s Anticipation of the holiday demand made for keen competition in the beef market and values lifted by an appreciable margin. Quality was offering in the yarding ot 140 head, there being some of the best bullocks seen in (lie yards for some time. A consignment of 20 Hereford? and blacks sold at from £23 8s fid to £2(i 3s fid and averaged £24 13s a head. The best price for heifers was obtained at £l9 8s fid, top quality cows realising to £ls 11s.

Values for prime heavy ox range from £24 16s to £26 3s fid. medium weights bringing £22 16s to £23 13s fid and light £l9 3s Gd to £l9 13s fid.

Medium quality steers were traded at £ls 3s fid to £ls 18s fid. Prime quality heifers sold at £l6 3s fid to £l9 8s 6d, medium making £l4 Gs to £ls Is. Prime cows changed hands at £l4 18s 6d to £l6 11s, medium made £l2 6s to £l2 13s 6d and light £lO Is to £ll 18s 6d.