TARANAKI STOCK SALES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 9 March 1935, Page 16

TARANAKI STOCK SALES

REVIEWS OF THE WEEK FARMERS’ CO-OP. REPORT DEMAND FOR. EWES AND FAT STOCK. The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society of New Zealand, Ltd., in its weekly review states that a steady week of trading has been experienced, business being confined mainly to the satisfying of breeding ewe requirements on the part ot clients. . The 'recent heavy rams have had tiie effect of freshening pastures considerably and in many cases have arrested the decline in milk production. Since last week a decline lias been .experienced in dairy produce values, butter falling from 81s per cwt to <6s. A comparison with the ruling price of 94s a few weeks ago makes it difficult to account for such large fluctuations. Wool values continue to show slignt fluctuations from sale to sale, the recent Invercargill sale showing a decidely fifm tone on the last Christchurch sale. All classes of fat stock remain firm in value. Quotations of fat ewes remain difficult enough to procure and a shortage in this class of fat sheep seems apparent in the very near future. Sales since the last report include a line of 250 fat ewes at 15s 6d, with odd trucks of prime fat sheep on late rates, sales including 60 prime wethers at 255, with lamb at 72 d over all.

Values of fat cattle remain very firm on late rates with a decidedly optimistic outlook for the future. "V aluea in other centres seem higher . than those ruling in Taranaki, and it appears that a keen demand will exist. Values of prime fat heifers range from £6 to £6 10s, and prime fat cows £5 5s to £5 15s. The schedule for ox beef remains on a par. Values of all classes of store stock remain firm on those ruling in the last report, with local values lower than those ruling in other centres. Sales of breeding ewes made during the week include a line of 300 -two-tooth ewes at 30s, 60 at 31s, 60 at 295, 250 o-ood four-year ewes at 245, 400' good five-year ewes at 21s 6d, 350 s.m. ewes at 18s, and 100 six-yearold ewes at 18s. Quite a keen inquiry exists for goou store lambs, with quotations limited since the recent rains. At the present time a spasmodic inquiry exists for all classes of store cattle. Here again, from values ruling in other centres it appears that the outlook for all classes of station cattle will remain firm with a distinct hardening tendency. Little inquiry has existed for Jersey calves, and the demand this year appears as though it will be late. At the Opunake sale a god yarding of all classes oF cattle came forward on Monday. Bidding throughout Was brisk and a total clearance resulted in satisfactory prices being obtained. Weaner pigs made 6s, 6s 6d, 7s, 7s 6d, to Bs, store pigs 12s, 14s, 16s, to 18s, weaner heifers 14s to 20s, store cows 16s, 18s, 20s, 225, 24s to 265, paddock cows £2, £2 ss,'£2 10s, £2 15s to £3, fat cows, £3 ss, £3 10s, £3 15s to £4, bulls changing hands at late rates.

All the sheep or.-red met good competition from a very, representative attendance of buyers, consequently the prices realised were very satisfactoi y, and with the exception of two lines of cull, lambs and a few rams all the sheep changed hands under ..the hammer. In the cattle pens only a few odd lots of bullocks, steers and heifers came forward, and there was little difficulty ,in making a total clearance in this section. I ery good forward two-tooth wethers made 20s 6d 21s 4d, 21s Bd, forward wetliers IBs 4d to :19s 6d, two-tooth Down cross ewes 20s sd, four and five-year-old ewes 21s Id, m.a. ewes 14s Sd to 16s 9d, good store lambs 17s 10d, others 15s 3d, cull lambs 9s Gd to 11s 9d. One-shear Romney on account of Mr A. Coxhead made 4 to 31 guineas, two-shear Romney 24 guineas to 2 guineas, one-shear Romney on account Henderson and Son 3» guineas, twoshear Romney rams 22 guineas and 2 guineas, m.a. Southdown rams 43 guineas, 14 guineas and 1 guinea, goon forward bullocks £4 l<s to £5, steeis £3, twc-year-old heifers and steers £2 Ids.

At the Hawora .sale on Thursday a very big yarding of all classes of stock came forward, the pig and cattle pens being filled, together with a good entry of sheep. A better sale resulted in all classes. Although values for pigs were -comparatively low, prices generally were higher than has been the case for .some time. All classes of’sheep sold well, lambs appreciating in value on lower grade lambs from Is to 2s, while good-con-ditioned forward lambs could be quoted as selling at slightly higher prices. Good owes were in demand, and Mr A. G. Robertson topped the sale with a line of fouryear-cld ewes at 23s Bd. A line of good medium shorn ewe lambs changed hands at 17s 7d. Wethers were very difficult to sell, and fat P.A. and Hereford cows were also harder to quit. A big entry of fat and forward cows from the dairy no doubt affected the market in this section, the majority of butchers filling their requirements from among this class of cattle. I ncepting for some fat cows and a few pens of pigs, a total clearance was affected. Fat owes made 13s to 17s, fat wethers 23s to 265, fat lambs 18s to 225, forward b.f. lambs 15s Gd to 48s, medium 12s Gd> to 14s, shorn b.f. lambs (good) 14s to los 6cl, medium 11s 6d to 13s, ewe lambs (good medium) 17s, four-tooth wethers 19s 6d to 20s, good medium four-tooth ewes 24s 6d, two tooth ewes 18s 6d to 19s 6d, breeding ewes fouryear (good) 23s Bd, five-year medium 17s to 18s lOd, aged and fatteners 6s 6d to 11s. good P.A. and Hereford

cows £4 to £4 12s, dairy sorts (good) | £2 15s to £3 10s, medium 35s to £2 ss, good forward store cows 2os to 30s, store cows 12s 6d to 20s. Pigs sold better, and although there were a few passings at auction practically tne whole yarding was disposed of afterwards at prices slightly in sellers’ favour, the major demand being for good stores. NEWTON KiNG REPORT BREEDING EWES SOUGHT. . Newton King, Ltd., reports that although pastures have made some headway as the result of recent rains, present conditions suggest that parts cf Taranaki tllat were in greater' need of the change are not going to yield the growth desired. It is, however, pleasing to observe that for the most part the district has regained a somewhat assuring appearance, and favouied with reasonable seasonal conditions, little further concern as to the autumn feed should be occasioned. In reviewing activities in the live stock market, it can be said that there lias been a steady week of trading, j both at auction and through private treaty and, while it is not possible to declare that the volume of business m the store sheep section is being maintained, for the reason, that the majority of requirements have been satisfied, it can be said that transactions are*just as frequent, and the inquiry for smaller lots suggests a steady marIcet for some time yet to come. In fact, the ready manner in which quotations of breeding owes especially are being absorbed, together with the free competition oil at awaits this class at auction, suggests that inquiry may exceed the supply, especially for the better class of ewe, as sales during the week have shown an improved demand for older sheep as a result of the lesser numbers of genuine 4 and 5-vear ewes being marketed. Ewe lambs are also freely sought but quotations of these are conspicuous by their absence, and those yarded ,irrespective of their size, excite keen bidding and sell at comparatively good money. . Wethers, too, are in good demand, and few quotations of these are wanting for a change of ownership. On the other hand, however, the demand for store lambs is not particularly strong, and although no further receding of values is perceptible, they continue to be slow of sale. Business through private treaty since the last report includes the following sales: 209 5-year ewes at 20s 6d, 209 4 and 5-year ewes 21s 6d, 197 sound-mouth ewes 15s, 244 2-tooth wethers 21s 3d, 169 2 and 4-tooth wethers 21s 3cl, 100 2-tooth wethers 21s Od, 159 fat lambs 20s.

In the store cattle section good inquiry is displayed for most classes. Bullocks are freelv sought as also are female cattle of* the Polled Angus breed, and although it is a little early to expect trade of any magnitude in this section, it is pleasing to report the following sales : 40 34-year P.A. bullocks £5 2s 6d, 34 fresh-conditioned 3-o lf P.A. steers, £4 10s, 30 light-con-ditioned 3 and 4-year P.A.-Hereford and Shorthorn bullocks, £4 6s. While it is usual at this period to encounter strong inquiry for the purchase of dairy heifers on a forward-de-livery basis, the present position of the English markets for dairy produce has created a somewhat, cautious atmosphere. It is, however, pleasing to report that some traders have sufficient courage to speculate, and the efforts of the agency during the past fortnight have resulted; in the changing of some 230 head to Taranaki and northern buyers. These sales include the following : 98 average quality 2-year Jersey heifers £3 10s, 32 good quality 3year Jersey heifers £4 to £4 4s. 6l) good quality 2-yea.r Jersey lmifers £i. 41) .good quality 3-year heifers £4 10s. all for May and June delivery, while a line of 25 choice 2-year-olds have been sold for £4 10s for April delivery, and a further line of 3-year-olds for immediate delivery at £3 7s Gd. Admittedly these figures show little remuneration to holders, but at the same time, the position to-day does not encourage speculation in advance thereof, and until a more assuring atmosijlicro is the order in English markets, trading in advance of these figures is likely to he slow. The position of the dairy market is also reflected in t.be weanor heifer market, as the inquiry to-day clearly indicates that buyers intend operating at restricted limits. most buyers’ ideas of good cattle being in the. vicinity of 25s to 30s. At auction, the small yarding of this class meet little .support, and values ruling would hardly offset the cost of their roaring, as rarely is £1 per head exceeded. Under the influence of the steady schedule for heifer and ox beef, values in the beef section for Ideal consumption are firm. The South Taranaki agency reports that- the majority of supolies of heifer beef have been absorbed by works buyers, and few quotations of these are now available at under the £S mark, while cows of the Polled Angus and Hereford breed are quoted at from £5 to £5 ss. At auction. the oddments of Jersey cross cattle meet reasonably good competition. and values are firm at late rates, well-finished young cattle making from £1 to £4 15s, lighter prime £3 5s to £3 15s, plain, and older sorts £2 5s to £3. The fat sheep market is also firm, the limited supolies of either ewes or wethers suggesting a firm market for the immediate future. At the moment values for local consumption are as follow: Fat ewes 15s Gd to 16s Gd, fat wethers £1 5s to £1 6s. Sales since the last rooc.rt include a line of good lat ewes at. 16- Gd, while a. 1 '>’o of wethers changed bands at 25s 6d. LOAN AND MERCANTILE FAT CATTLE ADVANCE. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company Limited reports : The position in the fat sheep section of the market is practically on a par

with that of last week. The schedule has been, lowered, but butchers have to give 2s to 3s over schedule to obtain supplies. Vendors are, in most cases, holding firm, and are expecting increased values shortly. l r at wethers are not being held in great numbers, while Jambs are being rapidly absorbed by the works. Fat cattle prices have advanced a little, and again holders of any number who have ample feed are firm in their prices. All classes of store sheep are in very good demand and bidding is keen. Breeding ewes are now in fairly short supply, and it is hard to obtain a really good line of ewes. Most farmers have put the rams with their flocks, and prices are hardening every day. Store black-face lambs, either woolly or shorn, are in good demand, and find a ready sale whenever offered. Ewe lambs are also selling very well, and any really good line produces keefi competition. The number of ewe lambs coming on the market this season is not so large as last season. Store white-face lambs are still wanted, and are still realising good prices, although the season, is now getting on. There is not very much interest in the store cattle section. In most cases farmers who; handle this class of cattle have filled up, and consequently the demand is not very good. The works, it is understood, are now prepared to buy boner and store cows, but at a very modest schedule, but even this is better than nothing, and will absorb a large number. There is no demand for won nor heifers from outside sources and until feed becomes more, plentiful in other districts there is not likely to ho much business. For dairy heifers very little inquiry has come to hand so far. the position being similar to that of the. weaner heifer—simnly a quest'.on of feed. The slump in prices of weaners and small store pigs is still with us. Heavier pigs are selling fairly well at good figures. i