TARANAKI STOCK SALES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 May 1935, Page 16

TARANAKI STOCK SALES

REVIEWS OF THE WEEK NEWTON KINO REPORT The incoming of the month of May vas marked by colder temperatures and the approach of winter is now more apparent, states Newton King Ltd.’s report. However, the autumn has left little to bo desired from a pastoral viewpoint, and the district beats a much more encouraging appearance than is general at this period. Xhe speculative spirit is prevalent in most classes in the livestock market, and changing with classes that would perhaps be less popular were feed not so plentiful, has been all that quota tions will allow.

At auction, a much freer tone naa been established in the bidding from exporters for the good yardings of meaty and boner cows that have been handled. Realisations for tillable .to fat cows have shown sonic appreciation on earlier rates, but outside this improvement. little or no alteration is perceptible in realisations for the oddments of other classes yarded. Under the latter heading, wcancr Jersey heifers predominate but only well-bred cattle appeal. Want of inquiry for the good numbers of inferior and crossbred cattle yarded makes their disposal difficult to complete. It can, however, be said that at botn Urenui and Inglewood saFes, where some wcll-brea cattle were penned, competition showed improvement and realisations were more in keeping with vendors’ ideas. At the former sale, up to 37s was paid for good cattle, w T hile at Inglewood, realisations for similar sorts ranged from 30s to 355. Business through the medium of private treaty with this class is spasmodic, and only the best cattle are sought, with fetv buyers being prepared to pay in adanec of 30s. The firm effected the ale of a line of 80 during the week,

■..hieh were put together in small lots at prices ranging from 25s to 32s Gd. Hold-over heifers are perhaps a little more popular, but here again goodquality cattle only are favoured, and where this is displayed from 14s to 18s is the order, but the weedy and infer-ior-bred sorts which conic under the hammer arc dull of sale. So far as the in-calf holier market is concerned, inquiry is very infrequent. Outside inquiry accounts for the bulk of changing through Iho medium of private treaty, but only thp best of the cattle due early are favoured and, where holders choose to market eir cattle, little competition is available, especially for the small and backward sorts which comprise the majorty of the offerings in this section, lnjuiry has, however, shown a slight irnirovement over the week so far as the local demand is ccncerned, but at the moment buyers’ ideas are somewhat below' those of vendors. At auction values.range from £2 5s to £3 os according to quality and forwardness, while sales completed privately by the firm have included the following:

rty-four 2-year Jersey heifers of average quality at £4 10s, 25 ditto £4, 20 Jersey and Jersey-cross sorts AugustSeptember calvers £3 15s, 20 later calves for June delivery £4. Truck-lots of

;ops oi lines have been sold at from £4 15s to £5 ss, in most cases a Juno ielivery being arranged. Inquiry for dairy cows also shows an increasing tendency, and-with the clearing sale season at hand some guide as to prices may be expected. Despite the earliness of the season, it can be said that at ti e sales conducted to date good quality young cows, due July, have met fairly free bidding. Sales through the medium of private treaty include a herd of 20 Jersey and Jersey-cross cows at £6 ,per head. It is pleasing to observe that store sheep have again advanced in favour, and some difficulty is now being experienced iu satisfying wants. Store lambs of both sexes are very freely inquired for, while breeding ewes are not want ing for change of ownership. Store wethers are also sought, but business | with any'of these classes falls short | of that which could be transacted were quotations more plentiful.

The keenness to secure in this section was exemplified at a clearing sale conducted by the firm at Tarata on account of the Burgess estate on Friday, when values exceeded all expectations Breeding ewes were subject to spirited competition as also were owe lambs Mixed-age breeding ewes of average quality made to 25s 9d, aged sorts 21s Gd, average to good ewe lambs up to 20s, culls at 14s, cull 2-tooth ewes to 23s Id.

A t the Inglewood sale on Wednesday a small entry of sheep came forward, and spirited bidding was again in evidence for breeding ewes, 5 and G-year sheep mated with Southdown rams making to 20s Gd,. older sorts li)s 3d, culls 8s Gd to 13s, fat lambs 18s 9d. Sales by private treaty in this section include 2G5 average ewe lambs at 17s, 140 wether lambs at 13 s, 120 medium wether lambs at 12s 3d, 125 5

ind G-year ewes (mated to Southdown rams) 225, S 5 2 and 4-tooth’ ewes (Soumuown ram) 2Gs Gd, a line of 400 store lambs an- appreximate average of 12s, 200 4 and 5-year breeding ewes mated to Southdown rams 21s Gd. The beef and mutton sections continue to enjoy very firm markets, more especially the latter, where supplies suggest an advance on existing Tates. In this regard, a governing feature is the scarcity of ewe mutton, its influence being reflected in wether values which, as with owes, are somewhat in advance of export schedule. Values for local consumption range as follow: Fat wethers 25s Gd to 24s Gd, fat ewes 17s to 19s.

While the past week has seen a hardening in values at auction for the fair numbers of fat cows handled, little alteration in values for better-bred cat-

tie offered for sale through the medium of private treaty is noticeable. Best heifers are quoted at from £5 10s to £6, while cows of the Polled Angus and Hereford breed are offered at from £5 to £5 ,10s. At auction, the stronger competition from export buyers is reflected in realisations, heavy Jersey cows making from £4 to £4 10s,' while lighter sorts sell at from £5 5s to £3 15s, plain and unfinished £2 5s to £2 15s.

At Urenui, Inglewood and Rahotu sales on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively, good yardings of meaty and boner cows wore penned, and much freer bidding from exporters was noticeable, resulting in realisations, especially for the heavier class of cow, showing an improvement on earlier sales. Extra-heavy fat Jersey cows made from £4 to £4 9s, lighter £2 15s to £3 ss, meaty works cows £1 15s to £2 Is, good-framed boners £1 7s 6d to £1 9s, others 18s to 21s. These values are a fair indication as to what ruled at each sale.

At Rahotu sale on Wednesday, fair entries came forward and a total clearance was effected. Most of the station cattle yarded wore tail-ends and rough sorts, but values, generally, were up to expectations, the following realisations being recorded. Crossbred bullocks of the Hercford-Shorthorn-Rcd Poll breed £4 to £4 14s, three-year crossbred steers £3. Snorthorn-cross heifer calves £1 to £1 3s, crossbred-cows and calves £1 13s, crossbred breeding cows (in calf) £1 10s Gd to £1 17s Gd, two-year P.A. heifers £2 18s Gd, forward P.A. cows £4 9s, fat cows, crossbred £4 Is to £4 3s, meaty to killable Jersey cows £2 7s to £3 Is, lighter £1 13s Gd to £2, works cows 19s to 265.

At the dispersal of the late Mr Burgess’ live and dead stock at' Tarata on Friday of last week a representative bench of bu3'ers gathered and one of the most spirited sales that has been witnessed for some time resulted, all classes enjoying their full share of the competition that was available. Sheep, especially, met a strong demand, and sold in advance of expectations. Incalf heifers were also subject to keen bidding, and here, too, realisations were in advance of those expected. Average quality cattle, a little small and somewhat late, made to £3 15s, while the smaller and inferior-bred sorts’ sold at

from £2 to £2 7s. The earlier calvers of the dairy herd offered met good competition, those showing quality selling at from £4 15s to £5 ss, average sorts 53 4s, aged and later calvers 35s to £2 10a.

At Messrs Seabright Bros.’ sale at Ngacrc a good attendance gathered and tho herd of - 34 Friesian and FriesianJorsey cross cows, although hardly a lirst-class lot, sold at valuos well up to expectations. The demand for early calvers and good young cows was strong and augurs well for future clearing sales of good herds. The best of the cows, young and due July and early August, made from £4 10s to £5 10s, while tho later sorts changed hands at from £2 15s to £3 15s. Weaner Jersey heifers from the herd were a crossbred lot and sold at 15sJ while their full sisters a year older made £2 ss. More interest seems to be displayed in the pig business, and good entries have been general at the main centres. Young pigs showed a firming tendency at the last New Plymouth sale, with stores and porkers on a par with last week’s rates. The following is a range of figures. Small and medium weaners 7s to 9s, good 10s to 13s 6d, medium slips 10? to 13s, good 14s to lGs, small stores 15s to 17s, medium to good 19s to 21s, light porkers 25s to 275, medium to heavy 31* te 3?s. sows with litter £5 7s Gd.

FARMERS’ CO-OP. REPORT

The Farmers’ Co-operative , Organ--1 Ration Societv’-s weekly review oi j the stock markets states rhat a vezy j satisfactory week of trading has beeii i experienced. The province is ioukmg i particularly well, a plentiful supply i of feed for a considerable time Uum e ! assured. J/roduetion generally is wei. I above that of the same permit oi last | year, and this will compensate to a | certain extent the big redaction that j took place during the drought, j Business in the varus has mainly ‘ been connned to the sale or stozv j cows, large yardings at all centres ! meeting improved competition on that 1 ruling in the last report. Values oi ; dairy produce have improved slightly during the week, butter rising to I VBs and cheese is -bis to 4os. (Jpumisn. is xeit in certain quarters with regard to prospects for the new season due no doubt to the improved position of affairs in Britain and to the satisfactory' clearance of stocks. Values of all classes of fat stock remain firm on those ruling in tin last report. Sales of fat ewes includt 160 at i'lßs and numerous trucks oi prime fat ewes at from 18s to 20s. Sales of fat wethers in truck lots have been effected at from 23s 6d to 24s 6u for prime sheep. All classes *of fat cattle remain in keen demand, and sales since the last report have included 30 extra prime fat P.A. heifers at £8 ss, 45 prime fat P.A. heifers and cows at £3, together with numerous truck lo J Js of prime fat cows and heifers at from £5 10s to £B.

A keen demand exists for most classes of store sheep, difficulty in obtaining quotations being the order oi the day. Ewes (r.w. S.D. rams) are keenly sought after, but here again quotations are very difficult to procure. Ewe lambs are in demand, good sheep realising up to 295, with wether lambs keenly sought after at fiom 13s to 15s for extra good sheep. Practically all classes of store cattle •how a firming tendency and the one look is that a further hardening can be expected. Young cattle remain in demand, sales during the week including 30 2-year P.A. heifers at £2, 30 2i-year P.A. heifers at £3, and 40 P.A. weaner heifers at 37s 6d. Sales of 20-month Jersey heifers include 40 at £2 os, and although weaner Jersey calves have not excited a

great deal of attention, sales of quite a few lines have been effected at from 30s to £2 for extra choice cattle. No doubt due to the wonderful feed conditions ruling at the present time a very keen local demand exists for good quality 2 and 3-year dairy heifers, some on a forward delivery basis and others for immediate delivery. Sales during the week include 80 choice 2-year heifers to ah outside buyer at £5, 45 choice 2-year heifers at £4 15s, 25 good 3-year heifers at £4 15s and numerous trucks of both 2 and 3-year dairy heifers at from £4 10s to £5.

Although the inquiry for dairy herds is only spasmodic, sales include a herd of 45 young Jersey and Jersey-cross cows at £6. Sales at all centres have been well supported. The Urenui sale on Monday drew a very good yarding of all classes of cattle and a total clearance under the hammer was effected. Prices were well up to late rates, and this must be regarded as a most satisfactory sale. Pigs made to 12s 6d, f.m. ewes to 17s 4d, Shorthorn heifers to 295, Shorthorn steers ta 345, empty Jer-sey-cross heifers to £2 ss, fat heifers to £4 9s, fat cows to £4, lighter sorts to £3 10s, paddock cows to £2 10s, works cows to 30s, stringing cows to £4 15s.

A medium yarding of all classes of cattle came forward to the Okaiawa sale ,a total clearance resulting under the hammer. Works cows changed hands at 13s, 15s, 19s, 24s to 255, lighter sorts 28s, 30s to 395, paddock cows £2 Is, £2 5s to £3 and bulls £2 Is to £3 14s.

> At the Opunake sale on April 29 a medium yarding of cattle was submitted for auctiou, including a fc'iall entry of pigs. Fat cows realised i. 3 2s, £3 os, £3 17s 6d to £4, paddock cows £2, £2 9s to £3, lighter sorts ■ 295, 32s 6d to 355, boner cows 15s, 22s to 265, bulls £3 to £3 17s 6d, weaner pigs 5s 6d to 6s 6d, stores 9s to 15s 6d, light porkers to £l. At the Manaia fixture on Tuesday there was a good yarding of cattle, pigs, etc, and a total clearance \v, s made at satisfactory prices. Fat co vs changed hands at £3 Is, £3 17s fid, £4:, £4 2s, £4 8s to £4 15s, paddock cows £2, £2 Bs, £2 10s to £3, ighter sorts 28s, 30s to 365, boner cows iss, 17s to 22s to 25s weaner pigs to Os 6d., store pigs 9s, 10s, 14s to 16s 60. There was a full yarding of roisct dairy cows and bulls and the usual attendance of buyers at Eltham on Wednesday. The entry included good conditioned works cows, and oiddiug for this class of cattle was very keen. Good competition from the local butchers resulted in good places being obtained for forward conditioned to fat Jersey-cross cows. There weie also yarded two or three pens rf ,ate lambs in fair condition, and these realised 10s to 12s 6d. Shorthorn-cross cows (fat) made to £5 4s, good heavy works cows £3 2s to £3 15s, ith-vs £2, £2 5s and £2 12s 6d, store cows £1 12s to £1 17s, boner calves 12s, 17s, 235, bulls (medium to good) £2 Hss to £3 15s, good heavy bulls £4 5s to £4 10s, empty heifers £1 13s, £2, and £2 9s, good quality heifers r.w. bull £3 11s, others a little small £2 13s. At the Hawera sale on Thursd ly there was a large entry of stare cattle, which met keen competitio i, together with a fair yarding of pigs and a small entry of sheep. Bidding by works buyers was well up to schedule on boner cows, and a total clearance was-effected. A small ert*y in the sheep section made the following prices: Fat wethers 22s 6d, 24s to 265, fat lambs 18s to 20s 6d, fat ewes 17s 9d. Fat P.A. heifers changed hands at £3 15s, £4 12s 6d to £5 10s. vealers £1 17s 6d, £2 2s 6d to £2 ss, paddock cows £3 3s to £5 2s, fat Jersey cows £5, £5 7s 6d to £5 9?,

store cows 32s 6d to £3 Is, others 17s, 22s 6d, 29s to 31s, bulls £2 2s to £4 17s 6d. Prices in the pig section were slightly ahead of last week's quotations, weaners making 7s 6d, ti, to 8s 6d, stores 9s, 11s, 13s 6d to 15s, light porkers to 22s and baconers £3.

LOAN AND MERCANTILE

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company Limited reports that prices for all classes of fat sheep remain on a par with last week’s rates, with the exception of ewes, which show a hardening tendency. Fat lambs are still being drafted and sent to the works, but the supply is very limited, and the season is very nearly finished. The market for fat cattle as very good, and prices are firm on late rates. There are a number of good cows coming forward from the dairies and selling very well. Butchers are operating freely, and the works are also absorbing a fair number. The store sheep section is very stagnant owing to a shortage of supplies. There is a demand for 2-tooth store wetiiers and a good inquiry for in-lamb ewes, but very few of the latter are being quoted. A good inquiry is evident for all classes of store cattle, but principally for grown steers in forward condition. Several large lots have been sent to the country lately. Cull and boner cows are coming forward to the yards in good numbers and are all being rapidly absorbed by the works. Weaner heifers business is very disappointing, as not nearly as many weaners haye been sold this year as last. Prices offered are also disappointing. Very few orders from outside districts have been received to date.

Although a considerable number of dairy heifers has been sold, there are yet large numbers available for sale at very moderate prices. Internal business is slow, and most of the sales made have been to outside purchasers. A few dairy herds have changed hands for forward delivery at prices that must be considered to be in favour- of buvers.

Business in pigs is chiefly confined to the purchase of weaners and small stores for holding till the spring, and these classes are selling in fairly large numbers.

A steady demand is evident all the time for good milk cart horses and farm sorts. There is no doubt that these classes of horses are in short supply all over the Dominion. At the Kakaramea sale on Monday a very fair yarding came forward, and everything yarded was sold at good prices. Cull cows made from 18s to 255, forward cows from 35s to £2, fat cows £3 10s to £4 7s 6d, bulls from £4 to £5 ss.