LOAN AND MERCANTILE

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 26 August 1933, Page 10

LOAN AND MERCANTILE

The report of the New Zealand and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., states:

Fat sheep.—Prices for all classes remain on a par with last week’s rates. It is not anticipated that the prices for fat ewes and wethers will remain long at present rates, as very shortly the dry ewes from the flocks will be coming on the.market, meaning a bigger supply and a- consequent drop in values. Fat hoggets are very scarce and prices for them are firm.

Fat cattle. —Very little business is passing in this section of the market, and any advance in price is not looked for. The demail for local consumption is likely to keep prices at about their present level. Store sheep.—All classes of store sheep are eagerly sought- after, wether and ewe hoggets being the most favoured. Prices for these are very firm, and supplies very difficult to obtain. A few sales of ewes in lamb and. with lambs at foot have been made at very satisfactory prices. Store cattle. —The uncertainty in the beef market is reflected in the store market, and buyers are very cautious. Values, if anything, have dropped, and tliero is no prospect of an increase, at least not for some time.

Weaner heifers.—The market is firm, with a very good demand. Good well grown and good coloured heifers are becoming harder to obtain, and most buyers have to be satisfied 1 with

medium quality cattle. Dairy heifers. —A good demand exists for top cattle that are close to profit, but backward and poor conditioned sorts are neglected. Given a continuance of the present favourable weather feed will come away rapidly, and prices may then harden. Large numbers are coming forward to the yard sales, but competition is somewhat in and out.

Dairv cows. —Good young cows close to profit or calved are selling well, but older sorts and backward calvers are hard to quit. On iVLonday the firm conducted a sale on account of Mr J. F. Phillips, when 90 cows and heifers were sold. There was a fair attendance of the public, and bidding was good for useful cattle. Springing cows made from £5 10s to £B, calved cows £5 10s to £9, springing heifers from £5 to £7 10s, calved heifers abo-’t the same money.

Pigs.—A really good demand is evident, and all yardings are quickly cleared.

Horses.—Still a good demand exists for good useful farm sorts. Private sales during the week have been : Fat wethers 18s to 245, fat hoggets 17-s to 20s. in-calf heifers £6 to £7. pedigree 2-voar Jersey in-calf heifers to- £lO 10s.