FAT STOCK MARKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21999, 4 January 1935, Page 5

FAT STOCK MARKET

WEEKLY WESTFIELD SALE

SHEEP PRICES SUSTAINED

LESS DEMAND FOR LAMBS

The first fat stock sale of tho New Year was held at the Westfield yards jyesterday, the previous sale having taken place before Christmas. The requirements of the butchers' trade created a fair demand for most classes and tho general tone was good, though in certain sections there was a tendency for price levels to fall.

About 750 head of cattle were offered and there were few of outstanding quality, the dry weather that had ruled until recently making it difficult for graziers to put finish on their stock. Tho demand for choice and prime steers was steady, and these remained firm at values ruling at tho Christinas sale. Rougher sorts were distinctly dull of sale. Most of tho cows and heifers penned were hardly up to standard, and bidding was dull, with a general easing in values. A full yarding of calves came forward, but there was a shortage of good heavy runners and tho market for these was very firm at late rates. Smaller and rougher calves were less in demand and these wero slightly easier. Sheep, Lambs and Pigs The number of sheep offered was well up to the average, with an even level of quality. A very free sale resulted and in most cases values for wethers were fully up to those ruling at tho end of the year, while ewes tended to bo firmer; A few good hoggets wero penned and sold well. Lambs wero plentiful, but the special demand of the Christmas sale was not sustained and there was a fall in price by at least Is 6d a head.

The pig pens were well filled, though | heavy , prime baconers were short. j There was a steady sale throughout' for jpaconers, and recent prices re- j mained unchanged. The export restric- j tions on porkers had little effect on the sale, there being only sufficient for j local requirements. At the same time, I values for these were slightly easier. Store pigs, which were not plentiful, did not sell well and late rates were not maintained. The price per pound for baconers worked out at from s£d to s£d, and for porkers t from 5Jd to Cd. Comparison of Quotations The following is a summary of the prices realised for fat stock for the last two sales at Westfield:— This "Week Last Sale BEEF (per 1001b.) Extra choice ox 23/- 23/Choice and prime ox . . . . 20/- to 22/- 20/- to 22/Choice and prime cow and heifer 18/- to 22/- 19/- to 22/Boner and rough 10/- to 17/- 11/- to 17/SHEEP (per head)— Prime wethers . . 21/6 to 27/3 21/- to 28/6 Unfin. wethers.. 18/- to 21/3 18/-to l 2]/3 Prime ewes . . 12/6 to 19/- 12/- to 19/'Unfinished ewes 2/9 to 12/3 8/3 to 11/9 Prime lambs .. 16/- to 23/6 17/6 to 25/Unfin. lambs . . 10/- to 15/- 11/6 to 17/3 CALVES (per head)— Runners .. .. 35/- to 75/- 357- to 83/Vealers . . . . 16./- to 73/- 17/- to 72/PIGS (per head) Baconers .. 521- to 74/- 52/- to 7VPorkers .. .. 33/- to 49/- 35/- to 51/Woaners .. ' 7/- to 12/- 81- to 15/Slips .. .. 13/- to IS/- 15,'- to 21/Large stores .. 20/- to 30/- 22/- to 30/Individual Consignments The top price in the ox beef market was realised for the best of a line of 33 steers from Messrs. Craven Bros., of Ruawai, these making up to £9 2s 6d. Other good cattle from Mr. B. Reed, of Waprenga, sold to £9, while from Mr. C. Hemmings, of Tirau, came a truck of bullocks which made up to £8 17s 6d. For the offering of the Ngapuke Estate, Papatoetoe, top prices of £8 15s were obtained, and a line of 20 steers from Mr. It. Harkness, of Karaka, made up to £8 2s 6d. A consignment from Messrs. Allen Bros., of Okoroire, realised up to £7 17s 6d, and cattle sold on behalf of Mr. W. Wills McLaughlin, of Papatoetoe, were disposed of for prices ranging up to £7. Other good offerings were "those ofMr. J. M. Barr, of Kaukapakapa, and Mr. W. L. Orr, of Ohinewai, these selling up to £6 15s and £6 12s 6d respectively. .In the cow and heifer market the best price was that secured for prime heifers from the Ngapuke Estate, Papatoetoe, which sold up to £6 ss. A well-finished lino from Mr. W. J. .Jeffcris, of Waerenga, sold to £5 10s, and for cows from Mr. F. Freegard, of Te Kauwhata, up to £5 5s was obtained. The best of a truck sold on behalf of Mr. <T. A. Hill, of Ohinewai, made £4 17s 6d, and two consignments for which up to £4 15s was paid camo from Mr. W. Batty, of Karaka and Mr. E. M. Wright, of Mauku. Top prices of £4 7s 6d were realised for the offerings of Mr. B. L. Orr, of Ohinewai, and Mr. R. M. Smith, of Kumeu, and two lines selling to £4 2s 6d were disposed of for Mr. X R. Walters, of "\Vaiuku, and Mr. H. Windsor, of Matangi.

DETAILS OF SALES * AUCTIONEERS' REPORTS LOAN AND MERCANTILE The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, reports on the sale as follows: Beef.—We had more than an average entry of beef, and there was a steady demand, with values on a par with the closing sale of 1931. Extra choice ox eold to XI 3s per 1001b; choio. and prime £1 to £1 2s; ordinary and plain, lfis to 19s; primo young cow and heifer beef, 18s to £'l 2s; ordinary cow beef, 12s to 17s. No extra heavy prime steers were penned. Heavy prime. £8 2s Cd to £9 2s Gd; lighter prime, £7 to £8; light prime, £5 10s to £('> 17a Gd; . unfinished and small, £3 10s to £5 ss. Extra heavy primo young cows and heifers, £5 5s to £6 ss; heavy prime, £1 to £5 2s 6d; lighter, £3 5s to £3 15s; light cows, £2 7s Gd to £3 2s 6d; other cows, £1 10s to £2 ss. »

Sheep.—Our yarding of sheep was well up to the average. Competition was keen for all prime sheep, with values firm on Christmas week sales. Heavy prime wethers, £1 fis to £1 7s 3d; medium prime, £1 4s 3d to £1 5s 9d; light prime, £1 2s Gd to £1 4s; small and Unfinished, £1 to £1 2s 3d. Prime hoggets. £1 to £1 3s Gd; small and unfinished, 15s to 19s. Prime maiden ewes, 19s to .£1 2s 9d; heavy prime, 17s to 18s Gd; medium prime, 14s 9d to 16s 9d; light prime, 12s Gd to 14s Gd; inferiorly fatted, 5s to 10s.

Lambs.—Our lamb pens were well filled and. although there was a ready demand. Christians week's extreme values were not sustained, quotations being on a par with our sale of December 12, a week previous to Christmas sale. Heavy prime, £1 2s to £1 3s Gd; medium prime,. £1 to £1 Is 9d; light prime. 17s• to 19s 9d; small and unfinished, 10s to 10s.

Pigs Thero was an average yarding of pigs. The sale was steady throughout, with values remaining firm. Choppers sold from £1 to £3 8s; heavy and medium baconers, £3 5s to £3 12s; light baconers and heavy porkers, £2 Gs to £3 3s; medium porkers and K'ght porkers, £1 10s to £2 4s; small, £1 8s to £1 15s. Tlie demand for store pigs was light and values were easier on Inst quotations. Large stores, £1 to £1 10s; slips, 12s to 18s; weaners, 7s to lis. Calves There was a full yarding of cnlves. Good quality calves were wanted and values were very firm for Bame„Jiougher calves were easier in values. Runners, £2 to £3 15s; heavy vealers, £3 to £3 13s; medium. £2 fis to £2 18s; light, £1 IGs to £2 6s; smaller, £1 2s to £1 15s; small and fresh dropped, 3s to £1 la; rough calves, 5s to 10i.

ALFRED BUCKLAND AND SONS Alfred Buckland and Sons, Limited, reports on tho sale as follows: Beef.—Our entry of fat cattle numbered 245 head, as against 296 head last week, comprising 75 ethers and 170 cowb and heifers. The quality was not up to recent markets. Choice and prime steers remained firm at values ruling at the Christmas ealo. Inferior sorts were again hard to quit. The 170 cows and heifers yarded were of inferior quality, bidding was dull with the result that all classes eased in values. Extra choice ox sold to £1 3s per 1001b.; choice and prime, £1 to £1 2s; secondary and plain, 16s to 18s; prime young cow and heifer beef, 17s to £1; ordinary cow beef, 10s to 15s. Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £8 10s to £0; heavy prime, £7 15s to £8 sa; lighter urime. £7 to £7 128 6d; fight prime. £f> to £6 15s; email and unfinished, £3 15s to £5-ss. Extra heavy primo young cows and heifers. £-1 10s to £5 2s 6d; heavy prime, £3 15s to £4 ss; lighter prime. £2 10b to £3 7s 6d: other killablo cows, £1 5s to £2. Sheep,—Sheep were yarded to the number of 1462. Competition for wethers was good and prices remained firm at late quotations, while ewes eased in values by about Is (id a head. Extra heavy prime wethers, £1 5s to £1 Gs 9d: heavy prime, £1 3s 6d to £1 4s 9d; medium to heavy prime, £1 2s 6d to XI 3a 3d; light to' medium prime, £1 Is to £1 2s; unfinished, 18s to £l. P'xtra heavy prime young ewes, 15s 6d to 17s; heavy prime, 14s Gd to 15s 3d; lighter prime, 13s to 14s 3d; other killablo ewes,, lis 6d to 12s 9d; other ewes, 2s 9d to 9s Gd. Lambs.—We yarded lambs to the number of 723. Competition was keen and everything changed hands at very satisfactory prices. Extra heavy prime lambs, £1 Is to £1 2s Gd; heavy prime. 19s to £1 0s Gd: lighter prime, 17s 6d to 18s 6d; light prune. lGs to 173; small and plain, 12s 6d to 15s. Calves.—Fat and young calves, were in full supply, A ready demand existed and all classes realised fully late rates. Runners made £1 15s to £3 9s; heavy vealers, £2 15s to £3; medium, £2 5s to £2 lis; light, £1 10s to £1 14s; small, 16s to £1 4s; unfinished and bucket-fed. 8s to 14s; bobby calves, 3s to 6b (252 calves were sold). Pigs.—We had a large yarding of pigs. Bidding wns keen throughout, especially for all prime baconers. Prices were on a par with those ruling prior to the holidays. Choppers marie £1 15s to £3 2s; heavy prime baconers, £3 lis to £3 14s; medium. £3 2s to £3 Gs; light, £2 32s to £2 16s; heavy porkers, £2 6s to £2 9s; medium, £2 Is to £2 3s; light, £1 14s to £1 17s: email and unfinished, £1 5s to £1 lis. All stores sold at lower rates. Fair framed. £1 to £1 2s; slips. 13s to 15s; good weaners. 10s to 12s; small. 7s to 9s. Baconers realised an average of s}d to sid per lb., and porkers, 5Jd to Gd (a total o£ 686 pigil was sold).

DALGETY AND COMPANY Dalgety and Company, Limited, reports on the sale as follows: — Beef,—We yarded 165 head of beef, comprising 50 steers and 115 cows and heifers, against 131 head last sale! The quality of the ox was barely up to standard, and sold under a strong demand at rates equal to last sale, while cows dragged considerably, and values did not reach late rates. Extra choice ox sold to 23s per 1001b; choice and prime, 20s to. 225; just killable, 17s to 395; prime young cow and heifer beef, 17s to 20s; just- killable, 13s to 16s. Heavy prime steers, £8 to £8 17s Gd; lighter prime, £7 to £7 17s 6d: light prime, £6 to £6 17s 6d; small and unfinished, £4 5s to £5 17s Gd. Extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £4 7s 6d to £5; heavy prime. £3 15s to £4 ijs: lighter prime, £3 to £3 12s 6d; other killable cows, £1 10s to £2 17s 6d.

Sheep.—Sheep were penned in well up to average numbers, and, selling under a ready demand, we have to _ report a good sale, but with values a little lower for wethers, while ewes remained fully on a par with our Christmas iriarket report. Heavy prime wethers, 24s 9d to 25s 9d; medium prime, 23s 9d to 24s 6d; light and unfinished, 22s Gd to 23s 6d; heavy prime ewes. 16s to 17s 3d: lighter prime, 14s 9d to 15s 9d; other ewes, 10s 6d to 14s 6d. Lambs.—Lambs came forward in average numbers and sold freely at_ values on a par with our quotations prior to the Christmas market. Heavy prime lamb, 19s to 20s 3d; medium prime. 18s to 18s 9d; light prime. 16s to 17s 9d. Calves.—A full yarding of calves was penned. Competition was fairly keen and values were on a par with last sale's quotations. No prime runners were offered. Heavy vealers, £2 14s to £3: medium, £2 6s to £2 10s; light, £1 8s to £1 16s; small, 15s to £1 4s; rough calves, 8s to 15s; bobby calves, 3s to 6s. Pigs.—Pigs were again yarded in full numbers. Competition fo,r baconers was keen and values were firm at late rates. Porkers were a shade easier. Heavy baconers, £3 10s to £3 14s; medium, £3 2s to £3 7s; light, £2 14s to £2 18s; heavy porkers, £2 6s to £2 9s: medium, £2 to £2 3s; light, £1 13s to £1 17s; 6mall and unfinished, £1 23 to £1 10s.

RATES AT ADDINGTON CATTLE VALUES DECLINE FAIR DEMAND FOR FAT PIGS [BY TELEGBAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHTJRCH, Thursday With the dry weather of November and December, the latter being the driest month on record, fattening in Canterbury has had a pronounced check and this was reflected in the quality of the fat stock entry at the Addington market to-day. There was a preponderance of poor and light sorts in all sections with indiil'erent auctions in most sections. v Store Sheep.—Less than a dozen pens were offered. There was a strong demand, especially for wethers, which realised to 17s 2d. Lambs made to 15s and ordinary ewes to 20s.

Fat Lambs.—The yarding included a heavy proportion of light sorts. Buyers were cautious and freezers took a bigger proportion. Values were on a par with late rates.

Fat Sheep.—<An entry of 4000, and the Quality was mixed. TJhe sale for wethers was keen and vali»js for them advanced by Is a head. Ewes were not in demand and declined from Is to Is Gd a head. Extra prime heavy wethers made to 27s Id; heavy, 33s 6d to 255; medium, 21s 6d to 235; ordinary, 19s to 21s; lignt, to 18s; extra prime heavy ewes, to 21s 4d; heavy, 17s to 18s 6d; medium, 15s to 16s Gd; ordinary, 13s to lis 6d; light, to 12s 6d.

Fat Cattle.—An entry of 475 head. There was an erratic sale and values declined by up to £1 a head compared with the last market last year. Best beef made 22s per 1001b.; good._ 19s to 21s 6d; heavy, IGs to 18s 6d; medium, 14s to 16s; rough, down to 10s. Extra prime heavy steers mnde to £lO 12s Gd; heavy. £8 to £9; medium, £7 5s to £8; ordinary. £3 15s to £6 10s; light, to £3 ss; extra prime heifers, to £8 17s Gd; prime, £4 10s to £6; ordinary, £2 10s to £4; light, to £2 10s; extra prime cows, to £7 17s Gd; prime, £3 10s to £5; medium, £2 to £3 ss; light, to £2. Vealers.—There was a large entry, and except for best quality the sale was drugging. The top price was £5 Is. Store Cattle.—An unimpressive offering, with no steers. Two-year Hereford heifers made to 4Ps; fresh cows, to £3; old, from 10s.

Dairy Cattle.—Limits were inelastic over a dull sale. Extra good second and third calvers made to £6; good, £3 to £5: extra good heifers, to £G ss; good, £3 to £4. Store Pigs.—A medium entry and irregulnr Bale, Values generally were easier. Weaners made 10s to 12s 6d; slips, 13s to lGs 6d; stores, 153 to 30s. Fat Pigs.—A fair demand for the largo offering und solid export competition. Choppers made 30s to £4 6s; bacorers, 45s to £3 Its Gd. The price per lb. was: Average, s*d to s}d. Porkers made 2Gs Gd to 39r (>d. The average price per lb. waa s}d to s'd.

PRICES OF METALS LONDON MARKET FIRM (Received January 3, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 2 Following are to-day's quotations on tho London motal market, compared with those of January 1: Jan. 2 Jan. 1 i Ter ton Per ton £sd £ s d Copper, stan., spot . . 2S 7 6 28 6 3 Copper, stan., 3 mos. 28 15 7$ 28 14 4J Copper, electrolytic . . 31 10 0 31 10 0 to to 32 0 0 32 0 0 Copper, elcc., wire bars 32 0 0 32 0 0 Lend, soft, "spot .. 10 5 0 10 13 9 Lead, soft, forward ~ •10 11 3 10 8 9 Spelter, spot . . .. 12 0 0 11 17 6 Spelter, forward .. 12 6 3 12 12 6 Tin, stan,, spot . . 228 8 9 228 10 0 Tin, stan., 3 mos. .. 228 6 3 228 G 3 CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST Dividends— Duo Nat. Bonk N.Z„—int., 2 p.c. To-morrow Bulolo—int., 90 cents ... . • Jan. 10 Placer Development—int., 1 dollar 20 cents . . . . . • Jan. 10 Mt. Morgan—6d a share Jan. 10 N.Z. and River Plato—3 p.c. . . Jan. 15 Union Bank; —int., 2s Gd a share, equal to 5 p.c. p.a Jan. A.P.A.—2i p.c Feb. 5