WAIKATO STOCK MARKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 5

WAIKATO STOCK MARKET

STEADY AND BUOYANT ADVANCE IN DAIRY CATTLE In spite of this week's rude interruption to the advance of spring, its march has again been resumed and great headway is apparent. The stock market is steady and buoyant, all branches seeming to share equally the general popularity. Although the yardings so far have been light, announcements concerning forthcoming sales indicate greater activity. It sooms doubtful, however, if the volume will be equal to the register of previous years. According to advice, a start has been made on the Poverty Bay breeding ewes for forward delivery, one station having sold its five-year-old surplus to Waikato buyers at 12s 6d. Purchase on this basis seems wisely undertaken, as it is not difficult to imagine local values in February exceeding the landed cost of these, viz., 14s 6d. Dairy cattle continue to .advance as they invariably do with the growth of pasture, and those who have timed the calving of their drafts to suit, are likely to reap full advantage. Conditions as they affect the separate sections are: — BEEP Adequate supplies aro being handled in all centres, with values well maintained.' At the Frankton yards on Tuesday a full entry was penned, but notwithstanding, good competition supported it, and very firm rates ruled. Ox beef was rather better than in the previous week. Cow beef also was higher, although more noticeably as the sale advanced. Prime light and medium ox sold tovlSs; heavy and ordinary ox, 15s to lCs; prime heifer, 1(>» to 17s; young cow, 15s to 16s; ordinary cow, lis to 12s Gd; rough, 7s to 8s 6d. MUTTON . A heavy entry of prime quality sheep was penned at the Frankton yards this week, ewes largely predominating. Bidding was good throughout, and last week's rates were fully maintained. It is interesting to note that at the corresponding sale 12 months ago the highest price recorded for wethers was 14s 6d. and for ewes 9s. Tuesday's rates were over 100 per cent in advance. Ox beef rate at the same sale was 23s per 1001b., or 5s per 1001b. in advance of this week's quotations. Prime heavy wethers sold to 29s 6d; medium-weights, 22s Isd to 255; shorn wethers, 18s 6d to 20«. Id; heavy ewes, to 20s 9d; medium, 17s to 18s 6d; plain, from lCs; spring lambs, from 18s to 255. STORE CATTLE Considering the time of year the markets are barer than usual, although no doubt the activity of the winter months is to some extent accountable. Bteerg of quality are uncommon, although during the coming week a few lines are listed for disposal, and should command competition. Yearling Jersey heifers also are rare, and aa these are always popular with graziers, a good offering should prove attractive. Jfalues for these are improving. Current rates for steers are as quoted last week. Fresh young cows sell from 35s- to £2 ss; Jerseys, 25s to 82s 6d; store cows, 20s to 30s; Jersey heifers, best,. £3 to £3 10s; medium, £2 to £2 12s 6d; small, 25s to 355. STORE SHE|JP In tHis section also the offerings are small. At Franktoa on Tuesday the first of the season's ewes and lambs w'ere penned. Under good competition these realised 9s Cd all counted, an advance of about 2s 6d a head on last season's values. Now that a start has been made with Gisborne purchases it is likely thai the lead will ba followed by those awaiting it. There seems every probability that Waikato requirements this year will constitute a record. Current rates are similar to those quoted a week ago. DAIRY CATTLE In all centres greater keenness is to be witnessed, inferior hisifers now selling at the value of ohoice smimals a month ago. As high as £ll a head was paid for a oouple of heifers at the Te Awamutu yards a few days ago, but, of course, anything approaching this is rare. Best animals are worth. Arom £7 to £8 10s; medium, £5 10s to £6 10J; small and poor, £4 to £5; cows at profit are also in demand, the beat selling from £6 to £7 10s; with others at from £3 15s to £5. PIGS Good competition meets these at all centres, both fats and stores. At Frankton on Tuesday all clasisee advanced sharply, baconers and porkers benefiting from 6s to 6s a head. Best heavy-weights sold to £3 3s; lighter, from £2 ss; best porkers. 36a to '4os; lighter, from 28<i.