STOCK VALUES ADVANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21400, 26 January 1933, Page 10

STOCK VALUES ADVANCE

KEEN SALE AT WESTFIELD

SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES HIGHER EXCHANGE INFLUENCE A sharp riso ;in the price of all classes of fat stock took place at the weekly Westfield sale yesterday. The firmer tone of the market was due to the higher exchange rato having forced up export values of stock, but another factor was a shortago of supplies. From the producer's point of view, the sale was the most satisfactory for a considerable period. Beef, which lias been very dull of sale recently, advanced by from 2s to 3s per 1001b., prices a head increasing by f:rom 10s to £l. The bidding was more spirited as the total yarding was reduced by over 100 head. There was also a much smaller yarding of sheep, which met with a ready sale. Values for prime wethers showed an improvement of from Is to 2s a head, selling up to 17s Sid, and prime ewes appreciated in value by about 2s 6d a head, realising from 7s to 14s 6d. Heavy disposals of lambs have been the rule during recent weeks, but the yarding yesterday was (scarcely up to the level of late offerings. Prime lambs sold freely at an advance of about Is a head while there was a good demand for store lambs. There was an advance of from 5s to 8s a head in the rates for pigs, baconers, porkers and store pigs sharing in the market rise. The yarding was a fairly heavy one, but a good clearance was effected.

Competition in all sections was confined mainly to local buyers, the levels established being above the exporters' limits. As there are generally smaller numbers of stock offering at this time of the year, it is possible that the present rise will be maintained for a period.