WAIKATO VALUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22200, 29 August 1935, Page 7

WAIKATO VALUES

BEEF BATES ADVANCE MUTTON SOMEWHAT EASIER THE LAMBING SEASON Notwithstanding its earlier promise, spring is not, developing in the Waikato as fast as at this' stage last season. Cold, cutting winds are continuous, and oppose any tendency toward pasture improvement. . The spring cattle sales are now about to open and, although there seems no reason to fear any lank of eagerness, the aspect of the country does not suggest a pressing need, and many may on that account move cautiously. Quotations ex station indicate on the part of vendors the possession of great expectations and, although on the general outlook, the quoted rates are hardly justified, such argument will have little weight unless there are abundant supplies to support it. Certainly there seems no reason to fear a shortage. On the other hand, the district has had a thorough clean up, and vast storage room is thus made available, while the prospect of a generous spring was never more favourable. Conditions in the separate sections are: — BEEF The entry at Frankt'on this week waa shorter and inferior in quality to recent yardings. Competition from a numerous assembly of butchers was much livelier, and rates in all sections advanced. Ox beef, which waß moatly plain, included a few choice lots, and values for these reached 30# (in one instance rather more). Plain Quality sold from 23? to 25b. Except for a. few better animals, the female section was most unattractive, and butchers had difficulty in filling their reaujrements. Values were much ahead of the previous week. Prime heifer sold from 26s to 28s; young cow. 21s to 245; ordinary cow, 16s to 19s; rough, 12s to 15s. MUTTON The higher rates of last week brought a, heavier entry, but. although value* were lower by perhaps 2s a head, competition was much firmer than was generally anticipated. The quality wss excellent throughout and little was passed in. Tie first shorn wethers of the season were submitted—a medium-finished pen which brought 21s. In the wool their worth would have been about 255. This being the last day for purchase of hoggets as lambs, a large entry was submitted, but competition .was not bo brisk as at recent sales. Best wethers sold to 29s 6d: medium, 25s to 27e: light, from 225: best ewes, to 22s 6d: medium. 17s 6d to 20s; light, from 15s; hoggets, from 19fl to 225. STORE CATTLE Little has been offered in this section during the week, and it is just as well, for Bome slight disappointment has been expressed over spring's delay. Bates for local cattle have not altered except for young cows suitable for fattening, which are eagerly sought and steadily advancing. Jersey yearling heifers also sold well, but few of size and Quality have lateK* been observed. Early spring sales of Gisborne cattle have been announced, and a great reception seems assured. Values remain as recently quoted. STORE SHEEP Business in this section is also restricted, but it should not be long before ewes with lambs apjiear. Although many can boast of a good lambing, it dots not seem to hava been the general experience; in fact, from one cause and another it lias been a trying year for sheepmen. Eczema has played frightful havoc in mapv flocks, and only a few have not suffered to some extent. Th® expectation is that there will be a larger proportion of dry ewes thsn usual, and efforts will be made to market these earlv. I There is a fair inauirv for hoggets, but ! the Quality of the stores available is inI ferior and not tempting. PIGS At Frankton this week fat pigs were in rather better demand. The same may be said for store pigs, which recovered much of the ground lost a Week ago. Young pica also improved, but not in the 6ame i tion. Heavy baconers sold to £3 Ss: light, from £2 15a; heavy porkers, to 475: light. : from 30s to 365; large stores, 22s to 26a; f medium, 1P« to 21s: slips, 14s to ISs: i wtaners, 6s to 14s. DAIRY CATTLE Fluctuations follow this trade and ar« always difficult to account for. A fair de- ! mand at least, however, is generally to b# relied upon for animals close to profit, and considerable business passes. Up to £7 wai Procured this week for heifers, with average lots from £4 to £5. Cows at profit sell from £4 10s to £6, with backward sorts from £2 10s to £3 10s. Fair competition for backward heifers exists in the belief that higher values are pending.