WAIKATO STOCK MARKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 7

WAIKATO STOCK MARKET

GENERALLY SOUND TONE KEEN ' INTEREST OF BUYERS With mild weather succeeding the recent splendid rain, pastures have greatly strengthened and the approach of winter is viewed with less fear. The stock market generally is in a fairly healthy state and buyers are seizing all opportunities to purchase. Another special sale of well-bred cattle was held at Frankton this week, and, although the range of buyers was not as extensive as at the preceding sale, good competition was obtained uiid blame for the failure of part of the entry to sell could not justly be charged to the purchasing section. When store cattle are passed at the opening of winter with bidding ranging from £4 15s to £5 10s, an optimism is implied for which there is no justification and which graziers show no inclination to support. Forward cattle were freely competed for. Young cattle, especially good-weaners, were in strong favour, and in the disposal of these no trouble was encountered.

It was imagined that the weakness of the lamb and mutton market both here and abroad would in turn depress the store sheep section, but there is as vet little evidence of such influence. Store lambs seem nearly as valuable as fats, and certainly store wethers are not far outdistanced by butchers' sheep. Conditions as they affect the separate sections are: — BEEF Firm and consistent values rule throughout the district. At Frankton on Tuesday a larger and better entry of ox beef was penned and from a wider range of buyers improved competition was obtained. An advance of Is per 1001b. was estimated. Cow beef was again in full supply and in this section current rales were maintained. Good quality was not so apparent as in previous weeks. There is an impression, because of scarcity during the last month or so at Frankton, that ox beef supplies are sho;-t. Inquiry among exporters does not support this. No trouble has been experienced in filling their requirements, nor do they anticipate any. A more likely reason is that net returns from the snleyards do not compare favourably with paddock results ai}d : until local rates advance only the unsuitable export classes will bo handled, r rankton rates were:—Prime ox, 22s per 1001b.; ordinary, 19s to 20s; piime heifer, 20s to 225; prime young cow. Ifis to 19s; ordinary cow, 12s to 15s; rough, 8s to 10s. MUTTON At this period last year exporters were working on a 23s schedule for wethers: today it is about 18s, and consequently they are out of the market. The need of their steadying competition is greatly missed, there being no local demand except for the choicest lots, and a limited one even ' for these. Frankton values on Tuesday toucned 265, but it was hard to elevate the bulk of the offering above 235. Ewes fared much better and great keenness was displayed over a shorter entry. Values were better by 2s to 3s a head. The best made to 22s 6d, with medium sorts from 16s 6d to 18s Gd. Lambs were well up to schedule, heavyweights reaching 20s, with light and unfinished from 13s Gd. STORE CATTLE With grass growing freely and the mildness of spring to encourage it, a _ state of buoyancy is natural, and this condition unquestionably prevail?. Well-bred cattle of nil nges are in strong demand and sale negotiations seldom fail. In recent offerings the cattle have not carried the condition essential to profitable grazing at this season and for such it is doubtful if present rates can bo long maintained. Values are well ahead of last year's range at the same date. Occasional snleß of choice > dairy heifers are reported and at fair prices, but for the average class there is little demtind. Quotes ex paddock run from £3 10s to £4 10s. hut nt salevards these rates are not possible. From £2 10s to £3 is nearer the mark, with backward classes from 25s to .£2. It is strange that Jersey heifer calves have not attracted more attention. They seem likely to prove the most profitable grazing investment this season. The "boner" trade is still brisk 'and good ofTerings_ are being dealt, with. Prices show little variation from last quotations. STORE SHEEP As stated previously, this section dors not reflect the adversity that fat products cire facing. With export practically at a {standstill it is certain that supplies of mutton must be fast accumulating, and where this is to find an outlet becomes the problem. But the store market seems little affected by such considerations. Feed is plentiful and encourages free competition. Buyers are numerous «nd eagerly follow all lots submitted. Supplies, however, are far . short of what could be absorbed. Forward wethers pell from 20s to 225; stores, .from 18s 6d: B,horn owe lambs, lGs to 17s Gd; good wether lambs 13s Gd to 14s Gd; medium lambs, 10s to 12a; culls, from 7s Gd; aged ewes, running with rams, 12s to 15s. PIGS An exceptionally heavy yarding was dealt with at Frankton this week. Baconers continued steady, £3 9s being the highest figure. Porkers, which formed the bulk of the entry, were somewhat easier. Stores also were in poorer demand.