WAIKATO STOCK MARKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21874, 9 August 1934, Page 7

WAIKATO STOCK MARKET

LAMB SCHEDULES REDUCED FIRMNESS IN STORE SHEEP A week of milder weather has set pastures moving, and although rapid advance is unlikely, the hope of early spring has been encouraged. General market conditions have not altered greatly, nor has any change occurred in the volume .of business handled. Apart from butchers' lines and dairy cattle, little else offers, but no doubt supplies to meet the spring demand will bo attracted before the month has passed. The prospect may be a little uncertain, but cannot be expected to entirely control tho position, for buyers will, as- they have done in the past, bo forced to purchase as they best can and leave the profitearning aspect for future consideration. Boner cows, which for a period were neglected by freezing buyers, are again attracting their attention and better values now rule.

Store sheep still maintain their firmness and this week's operations have been equally as active as any that preceded them. The wool position causes concern and in consequence of its decline lamb schedules have been reduced a pound. Market rates have reflected this alteration. Wethers off shears, ex Gisborno stations, have been quoted at 17s to 18s, but without business resulting, and it is questionable if any undue haste at the purchasing end will be witnessed. Quotations for four and five-year ewes (January delivery) are also to hand at about 18s, but without meeting a response, although it seems likely that from 16s to 17s would form a basis for negotiation. Conditions as they affect the separate sections are:— BEEP The improving tone of the past few weeks apparently led to a more eager search for supplies and this week's offering at the Central yards increased, unfortunately to sellers' disadvantage. Values in all classes showed a decline and in the plainer quality the drop was very marked. Keally prime heifer beef most nearly maintained recent standards, but heavy cows were in excess of requirements and suffered considerably. In bullocks, best values were obtained for a line of Polled Angus cattle, and £8 10s was tho figure realised. Average values were: Prime medium ox, heavy, 19s to 20s; prime heifer, 225; plain heifer, 20s; prime young cow, 17s to 19s; ordinary cow, 14s to IGs; rough, lis to 13s. MUTTON Although the entry at Frankton this week was smaller, the improvement anticipated on that account did not eventuate. Demand was equal to the supply, and no more. In prime heavy sheep last week's rates were sustained, but light and medium sorts were easier. Ewes were again fccaxce, with little value_ alteration. The first shorn wethers c <medium-weights) made 23b. Lambs were plentiful and reflected the schedule decline. One particularly choice lot was secured for the local trade at 27s Gd. Average rates were:—Heavy wethers, 28s Gd to 31s 3d; medium, 25s Gd to 27s Gd; light, from 225; best ewes, 21s to 235; plain, from 18s Gd; best lambs, 21s to 23s (very choice and heavy to 27s 6d); medium, 19s to 20s Gd; light, 17s to 18s 6d.

t. STORE CATTLE Business in this section is still confined to narrow limits, but suitable grazing lots of all descriptions are keenly competed for when offered. Steera .are uncommon, but are wanted; also good young grazing cows. Jersey yehrlings are not quite so bmk, but high in a comparative sense, when the dairy ring is considered. Boners, as already mentioned, are again being competed for by freezing companies, presumably to keep plant occupied during the off eeason. Operators of private boiling-down plants give good support up to their limits. Values are;— Grown bullocks, £4 10s to £5 10s; throe-year steers, £3 5s to £4 ss; good yearlings, £2 5s to £2 17s 6d; fresh young cows. 30s to 40s, for good-framed animals; smaller, 25s to 80s; boners, 15s to- 21b; two-year Jersey heifers, 20s to 32s 6d; good yearling heifers, 30s to £2; medium, 20s to 27s 6d; small, from 12s 6d. :. STORE SHEEP Fair supplies of ewes in lamb still come forward and almost invariably meet a good demand. It would be a. great relief to know that lamb was to escape the quota proposal, for there can be no doubt that a great productive increase, as far as Waikato is concerned, will seek outlet this season. Not only was the number of ewes put out with rams greatly in excess of previous years, but largo consignments have poured in weekly ever since and are still being absorbed greedily. Sheep business at the moment is confined chiefly to this branch. Values are similar to those recently quoted. DAIRY CATTLE No change has taken place in this section. At some sales n brisker tone is apparent, but generally business is slow and the market overburdened. Hopes are entertained that September with its greater abundance of pasture will witness improvement as it usually does; indeed, there can be no' doubt that far too many heifers are mated for July calving, which is invariably the slackest month of the year. PIGS Yardings of fat pigs continue to be small. The entry at Frankton this week met with an improved demand, values advancing from 3s to 4s. Store pigs showed the opposite tendency. Best baconers made to £3 17s; lighter, from £3 to £3 8s; best porkers, 40s to 455; light, from 325; store pigs, 20s to 30s; slips, 15s to 19s; weaners, 10s to 15s. PRICES AT TE PUKE [by telegraph OWN correspondent] TE PUKE, Wednesday The Co-operative Auctioneering Company, Limited, reports holding a very successful sale at the Te Puke saleyards yesterday. There was a good yarding of pigs. Weaners, 14s 6d to 17s; stores, 19s to 275; springing heifers, £2 10s to £4 7s Cd; springing cows, £2 to £4; fat cows, £2 to £3 ss; fat barren heifers, £2 to £4 2s 6d; boner cows, 10s to 30s; cows and calves, 22s Gd to 348.

THAMES REALISATIONS [BY TELISGKAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] THAMES, Wednesday A heavy yarding of dairy cattle was offered at the stock sale conducted by Dalgety nnd Company, Limited, at Kopu on Monday, and a slight improvement in prices was shown for good quality beasts close to profit. Backward, mixed-bred and low-conditioned cattle were not keenly sought, and wero hard to quit. Beef cattle wero offered in average numbers, and wellfinished sorts sold readily at full late rates. Storo cattle realised riding prices. A smaller yarding of pigs met with a steady demand, values being equal to late quotations. Best springing dairy cows and heifers realised from £5 to £5 7s Gd; good, £4 to £4 17s fid; more backward, £2 15s to £3 17s Gd; aged and low-conditioned, 17s 6d to £2 2s Gd; heavy prime fat cows and heifers, £5 to £5 12s fid; medium prime, £4 5s to £4 17s fid; light.. £2 15s to £4; other fat cows, £2 to £2 12s Gd; killable cows, £1 5s to £1 IGs fid; boners, to £1 lis. Pigs: Medium porkers, 30s to 3Gs; small and unfinished. 22s to 295; stores, 20s to 265; slips, 14a to 18s; best, weaners, 12s to IGs; others, 8s to lis; sows duo to farrow, to £3 15s. STAPLES DIVIDEND SAME INTERIM PAYMENT ' 8 The directors of J. Staples and Company, Limited, brewers, Wellington, have advised the Stock Exchange Association that an interim dividend of 2i per cent was paid yesterday. The dividend is at the same rate as last year's corresponding distribution. BRITISH WAR LOAN British Wireless RUGBY, August 7 War loan, 3J per cent, is quoted today at £lO4 8s 9d, compared with £lOl 5s on August 3. CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST Dividends— / . Due Com. Bank Aub.—final, pref., 2 p.c.; ord., 21 p.c To-day Addison's Flat—int., 8 p.c. To-morrow Fertiliser—annual, 5 p.c. Aug. 22 Bank N.S.W.—quarterly. 5s a share . . . • • • • • Aug. 29 Gillespio's Beach—ld a share .. Aug. 31 Elder Smith—final, 31 p.c. .. Sept. 1Elec. Zinc—ord., annual. 4 p.c.; pref., 8 p.c. p. ft. .. .. Sept. 7 Broken Hill South—int.. Is 6d a share .. . • .. • • Sept. 15