No Significant Changes At Northland Stocksales

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1947, Page 6

No Significant Changes At Northland Stocksales

NO significant changes were reported from stock sales held throughout Northland during the past week. Recent developments in the meat industry are expected to have some bearing on Northland values, but as yet no intormation regarding future prices is availa

Late rates were fully maini cows and heifers. Backward soi Store pigs sold well and real

tained for good quality Jersey rts remained hard to quit, lisations improved in some cases.

A better inquiry for store cattle was reported in some districts, but offerings in this class were small. This is explainable to some extent by the fact that some farmers have sufficient fodder to carry a good number of cattle through the winter to the fattening stage, at the same time hoping for some increase in the beef schedule in October.

the pig sections was greater than last week. Good entries of stores brought keen competition and prices of up to £'4/14/- were paid. Slips made proportionate rates and best weaners reached £3/1/- while several sales at close on £3 were recorded. Fat pigs continued firm and sows to farrow made late rates.

The short supply of mutton continued and no quotations were available from local sales. Butchers have been encountering difficulties in obtaining their supplies, but the position is not yet as acute as had been anticipated. In the dairy sections good quality cows and heifers close to profit were in demand and prices ranged to £ls/15-/ in the Whangarei district, while in the Dargaville area realisations ranged to £3O at a sale where an extraordinarily high level of prices resulted.

Such an increase would be attributable to the removal of the £1,000,000 meat industry subsidy. This loss could be offset either by withdrawals from the industry’s stabilisation account which has a £9,000,000 balance, or by an increase in schedule rates.

Developments in this connection are awaited by farmers, as they will have a considerable effect on the meat trade.

In the beef sections prices remained firm, with light fat bullocks changing hands at £ls. Fat cows and heifers also sold well, values well up to those of last week.

Choice heifers, close to profit, continued in good demand. A slight slackening in the inquiry for later calving cows and heifers was noted, a possible reason being the seasonal shortage of fodder, which in some districts is very apparent. Backward and inferior cattle were simply not wanted and values were consequently low.

Forward conditioned steers were in demand and values were firm. Boners made schedule rates but yardings were smaller. Further advances in the prices for stores, slips and weaners were recorded during the week and activity in . #