No Major Fluctuations At North Stock Sales

Northern Advocate, 14 June 1947, Page 2

No Major Fluctuations At North Stock Sales

NO fluctuations of any significance were reported from Northland stock sales this week.

The market was generally quiet, with little activity in any section with the exception of dairy cattle sales. Values for dairy cows and heifers eased slightly in the yards where an over supply was probably the cause. The decline will be only temporary. <?

At clearing sales good grade cows made to £2l/15/- while choice heifers realised to £l3 15/-. In the yards cows made to £l3/10/- with heifers changing hands at prices ranging to £lO/15/-. The market for butchers' beef remained firm. Prime ox beef was quoted at £2/10/- to £2/12/- per 1001 b. for best quality. Fat cows changed hands at prices ranging to £l2, or approximately £2 to £2 / l/- per 1001 b. for first grade. Fat heifers sold to £lO/8/- and were quoted at about £2/8 - per 1001 b. Few fat cattle were sold in the yards, with exporting buyers almost inoperative. The boner market has virtually disappeared and a continuance of the goslow tactics at the freezing works has caused a loss of interest in this section of the sales.

With the acute shortage of mutton, fat wethers and ewes were keenly sought. Few were penned and they met a strong demand.

A few young store cattle were offered, yearling Polled Angus steers making from about £5/10/- ‘to £6/5/- for the tops. Yearling Polled Angus heifers made £5/4/-. Cows and calves realised to £l2/15 - for good sorts.

Prime wethers made to £2/G/9. the highest figure paid for this class of stock in Northland this year. Aged fat ewes sold to £l/12/- and store sheep values were firm, hoggets making good money. A high level was maintained in fat pig sections where topweight baconers realised from £G to £6/12/-. Heavy porkers, sought by butchers, made good values while large stores realised to £3/2/-. Slips and weaners sold moderately well. Breeding sows realised to £lO/5/-.

Generalising on the week’s sales, it could be stated that most dairymen devoted their attention to the pedigree sales where high values ruled. The market for grade Jerseys was fairly firm hut in some areas declines occurred. Prune cattle, sheep and fat pigs continued to sell well but store and boner stock have just about finished.