WAIKATO STOCK MARKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 7

WAIKATO STOCK MARKET

GOOD DEMAND CONTINUES STORE SHEEP SELL FREELY Waikato, in common -with other localities, has endured a week of great severity, and much discomfort to stock has resulted. But, however groat the chock to their welfare, it has not affected demand, which continues with unabated vigour in .ill centres. It is clearly evident that grazing stock generally has reached a stage heyond which it cannot proiitablv progress, but it is also clear that the question of profit will not be the governing Tactor in determining purchase. Many have this year renounced dairying as unprofitable, but their advent to grazing circles is certain to prove costly and give cause for questioning the wisdom of the change. Fattening has not in recent years even for those established proved a lucrative pursuit, and with higher rates now ruling for stores, improvement 'at the selling end is the only thing to be hoped for. Considerable offerings of sheep have been exhibited during the week and, notwithstanding the unfavourable conditions under which marketing was conducted, it whs soon made evident that adversities of that nature were powerless to counteract the purchasing desire. The lines were inferior and travel worn, but in value reached the standard of what might be considered fair money for better sheep. All classes of fat stock keep steadily firm and, although hopes are entertained of early improvement in beef (due chiefly to withdrawals for export), mutton, which derives little assistance from that quarter, is not too confidently viewed. On the other hand, it can be affirmed that a large proportion of recent offerings has occupied the fat pens without title to the distinction, thus giving an appearance of plenty where it may not really exist. Dairy Stock so far has maintained a higher level than was predicted for it. More interest in sales is being taken and good animals, which do not seem over plentiful, seldom fail to attract good bidding. Mediocre and inferior quality types are in fair volume, but for these and backward calves little interest is shown. Conditions as they affect the separate sections are: — BEEF Supplies at the saleyards are undoubtedly shortening, with competition steadily tending to improve. At Frankton on Tuesday a moderate entry was penned and throughout a better tone wan manifest. Cow and heifer beef showed a considerable advance on the previous week's rates. Prime medium ox sold to 21s; heavy and ordinary, ISs to 19s; prime heifer, 19s 6d; young cow, 16b 6d to 17s 6d; ordinary cow, 12s tc 14s; rough, 9s to lis. MUTTON Supplies in all centres appear to be adequate, with values showing little variation. The preference for good ewes is still evidenced, and competition can always bo counted on. Properly-finished wethers also engage free bidding, but unfinished lots ore less popular than ewes in similar condition. It is interesting to note how the value relationship between these two classes has altered during the past 12 months. Prior thereto ewes had little standing, generally realising about one-third of wether values. To-day it is only the choicest of the latter that defeat them. Prime wethers sell from 2Gs to 295: medium, 2.1s to 24s (3d; unfinished, from 21s; best ewes, 22s to 24a; medium, 193 to 21a; unfinished, from 17s. STORE CATTLE Offerings m this class have again dwindled, but the demand continues strong, and eagerly seizes all that comes under competition. Steers of all ages are very popular; also young cows of suitable quality. ' Jersey heifer yearlings maintain their firmness, although possibly the dearth of better grazing stock gives them a pra minenco they would not otherwise enjoy. Values remain as recently quoted. STORE SHEEP A fairly large consignment arrived during the week from Poverty Bay. The quality was greatly inferior to that usually despatched from that area, and bore the additional handicap that the harsh weather imposed. Any disappointments, however, that might have been- felt was not visible in the bidding, and the entire' entry was quickly disposed of at comparatively high figures. A line of lambs which had travelled from the eame locality and consequently bore evidence of the trip, proved equally popular; certainly their constitutional hardihood entitled them to some 'regard. A draft of better quality mixed age ewes in lamb to Romney rams drew spirited bidding and reached 29s 3d. Lines of ewes from 6 years upward made from 20s 5d to 21s 9d; average lines. 5-year ewes in lamb sold from 22s 6d to 265; forward wethers, 20s to 21s 6d; stores, 18s to 20s; ewe lambs, 17s to 20s; wether lambs, 14s to 16s; medium lambs, 10s to 12a. DAIRY CATTLE Clearing sales still continue to return satisfactory averages, but with the list of these nearing a.n end buyers will be forced to draw on heifers for supplies. The quality of these does not seem of a very high standard; indeed, there is not that improvement in the progeny of our herds that the advance in milk production would justify us in expecting. The proportion of fair animals is probably not more than one in five. The really good are rare. Genuine cows at profit sell from £5 to £7 10s; second quality, £4 to £5; heifers close to profit, £5 to £6 10s; medium, £3 10s to £4 10s; backward, £2 10s to £3 ss. PIGS Only small offerings are being dealt with, but .competition is steady and strong. At Frankton on Tuesday values were slightly firmer than a week ago. Medium baconers sold to £3 2s; lighter, from £2 8s; best porkers, to £2 2s; light, from 30s; store pigs, 20s to 24b; slips, 15s to 19s; weaners, 12s to 15s , .

HORSES IN DEMAND FAIR AT TAUMARUNUI [by telegraph—oto correspondent] TAUMARUNUI, "Wednesday Tho Tnumartmui horse fair attracted a largo number of farmers, nnd there were buyers present from Auckland, Waiknto, Raetihi, Feilding, Longburn, Ohuru and Hawora. The majority of the liorses entered enmo forward, and about 40 were disposed of under the hammer. The fair was a particularly good one, and a keen demand for farm horses existed, the best sorts making up to £33 15s. One draught entire, broken to -chains, was sold to a Hawera buyer for £35. and a half-draught maro made £2'2 10s. Good useful farm horses made from £lO to £33 15s, and young unbroken horses from £3 to £lO 10s. Great interest was taken in the sale, and it was one of tho best yet held in Taumarunui.

LONDON MEAT PRICES EFFECT OF. HOT WEATHER The Bank of Australasia has received the following cablegram from its London office: —New Zealand lambs: The market is somewhat steadier. Hot weather is restricting the demand, but prices are oxpected to Remain steady. Wethers: The supply is small. There is a good demand. Prices are firm. Ewes: The market is slightly weaker, but no material change is anticipated. New Zealand beef: Prices aro easier. The demand is limited owing to hot weather and the low price of chilled beef. Increased arrivals are preventing higher prices.