WETHER MARKET RECOVERS GROUND AT STORTFORD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22916, 7 April 1949, Page 8

WETHER MARKET RECOVERS GROUND AT STORTFORD

(P.A.) HASTINGS, April 7. Evidence of the way store sheep values have moved upward over the past year was given at the Storlford Lodge stock sale yesterday. Woolly wether lambs in good condition and well grown realised 33s 2d whereas last year's consignment fiom the same source topped the market at 25s Gd.

The store sheep market generally yesterday was again sound, with values luilv in line with those ruling last week. A yarding of 4000 provided farmers with a mixed grill, though weathers predominated.

The market for wethers recovered some of the ground tost during the past week or two. farmers bidding keenly tor quality. A really good draft brought 43s lOd. the top price of the season for the yards Other wethers in good condition were traded at from 41s 2d to 42s sd. with less attractive lines at 32s 3d to 36s fid and two-tooths at 36s Gd. Woolly wether lambs made from 29s (id to 33s 2d. medium shorn wether lambs from 25s 6d to 28s Id, and small to medium, shorn ewe lambs 28s fid to 33s lOd. 'Down cross lambs brought 29s 2d. Poor conditioned to average fattening ewes sold at from 17s to 21s 9d. Fat Sheep Rates Steady

Though congestion at the freezing works because of the proximity of the holiday period may have had its effect on the fat sheep sale, the market re mained steady at recent levels. The quality was generally good in a yarding of 1500 head. This was particularly noticeable among the wethers, which sold at up to 46s Id Heavy wethers were traded at from 44s Id to 46s Id others bringing from 42s lOd to 43s 4d. Prime aged ewes were quoted at from 31s lOd to. 33s 4d. medium weights bringing from 28s 7d to 31s Id, and light 23s Id to 26s lOd.

Prime young ewes sold at up to 39s lOd. Prime young Southdown ewes changed hands at 43s 4d. Heavy lambs realised from 37s to 38s Id, others making from 33s 10d to 35s lOd, and light 27s 7d to 32s 7d.

Quality was not particularly featured in the store cattle market when the greater part of the yarding of 380 head consisted of small consignments. A good bench of buyers was responsible for a sustained inquiry and almost the wnole of the offering was sold at values fully in line with the ruling rates. Medium bullocks were traded at £6 15s, 30-month steers at £l4 10s, and 18steers at £9 4s to £lO 9s. Hardconditioned empty cows sold at £7 5s and another line was passed in at £8 12s 6d. Values for small 18-month heifers ranged from £5 19s to £6 10s. Beef Market Strong

Confronted with a large entry of 198 head of fat cattle, buyers maintained a steady demand right through. For beef the market was strong where quality was offering, heavyweight selling at slightly above schedule rates. The pressure of outside buyers helped to slimu late competition The market for ox beef was topped at £24 16s. The heifer entry included some choice beasts and these, too. met with a good inquiry, the tops selling at up to £l7 8s 6d. Prime heavyweight ox so'd at from £22 lj-s 6d to £24 16s. Medium weights changed hands at from Cl 9 16s to £2l 18s 6d. and light made from £l6 3s 6d to £lB 8s 6d. Prime heavy heifers were traded at from £ls 8s (id to £l7 8s 6d. medium weight beasts in prime order bringing from £l3 18s 6d to £l4 18s 6d. and light £ll 18s 6d to £l3 8s 6d. Primp cows realised to £l4 16s. hgbtm- making from £lO 3s 6d to £'2 3s 6d. Heavy venlers sold at from £6 15s to £8 16s. and others made from £4 15s to £5 12s. Runners were quoted at £3 to £8 15s.