Dairy Values Maintained At Northland Stock Sales

Northern Advocate, 5 June 1948, Page 2

Dairy Values Maintained At Northland Stock Sales

THE high level of dairy cattle values was maintained at stock sales held throughout Northland this week. At clearing sales prices for choice cows and heifers ranged to £3O, with numerous transactions above the £25 mark. The best price reported from the yards was £l6. Values in most other sections remained firm.

Average yardings came forward at most centres, where attention was mainly attracted by cows and heifers close to profit. Outside buyers were operating and recent trends continued. Cross-bred cows and heifers commanded good prices at Kamo. Beef values were steady during the week. Four-year-old bullocks m forward condition realised to £ls, and fat cows sold at recent quotations. Store cattle were offered in failnumbers, meeting a firm inquiry with prices showing a slight improvement in some transactions.

given by big meat experts, who assert that the best pig meat is that grown without a check. In other words, young pigs earned straight through to heavy weights provide the 'Pest quality meat, while stores held through the winter are inclined to develop fat and gristle rather than meat. Another point in tills connection is the danger of introducing diseased animals. Experts state that it is far more economical to concentrate on the management and feeding of sows at this time of the year and there is ample evidence to substantiate this in the light oi the actual amount and quality of pigmeat produced. At sales during the week the demand for sows to farrow was firm, while sows and litters changed hands at prices up to £l2/5/-. Supplies of . butchers’ mutton were falling off, as most ewes are in lamb at this time of the year. The demand for wethers and hoggets was strong, and few of the latter were offering.

Fewer pigs were offered and the demand for baconers and porkers remained firm, with prices for heavy prime baconers ranging to £6/14/-. An improvement in the demand for stores .slips and weaners was reported and gains were reflected in the trend of values.

From the continued inquiry for this class of stock it was apparent that the practice of carrying store pigs through the winter is still devoured by many dairymen, despite the advice often