BETTER DEMANDS FOR DAIRY, STORE STOCK

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1949, Page 3

BETTER DEMANDS FOR DAIRY, STORE STOCK

PRICES for dairy and store stock sold in Northland sales improved noticeably this week, as the effect of the stock shoitage and operations of southern buyers was felt. Best dairy cows sold at Kamo brought £lB/17/6, while the top animals in a Waipu herd sold on account of Mr C. McGinn made £27. , , . ... At Waipu the competition was particularly keen , with any good quality animals comrhanding prices in excess of ruling rates. Heifers were in particularly keen demand, selling at prices ranging to £lB/10/-. Any good quality dairy heifers were sought at improved prices.

A line of pedigree Jersey cows sold for 22gns to 36gns at Waipu. Any killable cattle showed better figures this week, as butchers felt the shortage of beef lines. No finished or forward bullocks were sold this week, and store lines were also short. This is attributed to farmers consigning store lines to Westfield to take a quick return on runners and unfinished beasts.

£lO to £l6; best Jersey heifers. £ll to £l4: small and backward, £6/10/- to £9; fat store heifers, £l4/15/-: 2J-year-old steers, £l2/10/-; fat cows, £lO to £l4; store cows, £7 to £9; heavy boner cows, £7/7/6 to £9; sound young empty cows, £4 to £7; empty 2-year-old Jersey heifers. £6 to £7/4'-; best store pigs, £4/5/- to £4/9/-; medium, £3/12/- to £4; slips £2/18/- to £2/5/-: weaners, £l/5/- to £2/5/-; pedigree Tamworth sows, 17gns to 19 gn; store two and four-tooth ewes, £2/6/-; wether hoggets, £l/18/3. , Dairy cattle sold at improved rates at Waipu where a large yarding met with keen competition from a representative bench of buyers. Quotations were: Best dairy cows from a herd sold on account of Mr C. McGinn, £l9 to £27; others. £l4/10/- to £ls/10/-; backward. £lO to £11: inferior, £7 to £9; best Jersey heifers. £l4/10/- to £lB/10/-: medium heifers. £ll to £l3/18/-; small and backward. £7'lo/- to £9; pedigree Jersey cows. 22gn to 36gn; heavy boners, <■7 to £B/10/-; medium, £5 to £6/17/6; fight £4/10/- to £5/10/-; cows and calves, £9/15/-.

Southern buyers are only handling the best lines of store stock and their operations accentuate the shortage of this class of cattle in Northland. Boners all sold at higher figures, usually £1 to £2 above comparable rates in recent sales. PADDOCK SALES

Paddock sales of store cattle have kept this class out of the pens, as prices are considerably higher than they were at the same stage last season.

The general improvement in the weather has brought about a brisker demand, but the volume of spring movement has not yet commenced. Feed is still good in most parts of the district, with an improvement noticeable during the warm weather experienced during the last few days. Stores' and slips were sought at higher prices, while pedigree Tamworth sows made from 17 to 19 guineas. A few sheep were sold at prices ranging from £l/18/3 for wether hoggets to £2/6/- for two and four-tooth ewes. A large yarding of cattle met with keen competition from local and visiting buyers at Kamo, where prices showed an improvement on late rates. Quotations were: Best dairy cows. £lB/17'6; average, £lO to £l3: backward and inferior, £7 to £9/10/-; cows in milk.