WAIKATO VALUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22260, 7 November 1935, Page 9

WAIKATO VALUES

GOOD PRICE FOR LAMBS - SMALL SUPPLY AVAILABLE GENERAL TONE GOOD Although the rains hare been of immense benefit in the "Waikato, now that grass is abundant, farmers would welcome a spell of dry weather. Lambs, according to report, are not thriving as they should, and lack of warmth and sunshine is the reason. Exporters are endeavouring to secure supplies of these and as an inducement are offering 9jd, but even this has failed to attract many. All flocks are backward and owners hesitate to disturb them for the sake of the few that might be dropped.

A further teat of the cattle demand showed clearly that it has lost none of its buoyancy, and the large entry of East Coast and Northern cattle penned at Morrinsvilie on Friday was absorbed even more greedily than at previous sales. A large portion was in very forward condition and competition on these was keen and reached record figures, although it? should be stated that the class was superior to anything so far exhibited. Heifer lines proved equally popular, and fanciers of this class seemed unwilling to be outdono in generosity.

The high values ruling for straight grazing stock have caused many to hesitate and ponder, and as a; consequence great benefit to the cheaper classes has resulted. Export buyers find themselves outbid for the class that generally they controlled and Jersey heifers have quite regained their early popularity. In the beef section the decline continues, although it is not very pronounced as yet. Just how long " chilling " cattle will be able to remain exempt from this tendency it would be impossible to say, but it 6eems improbable that much will be secured under 30s before the turn of the year. Certainly on the basis of store values graziers could not profitably, accept less. Conditions as they affect the separate sections are:—: BEEF All centres show an increase of aupply although the quality is .much below the standard that was common a month ago. The Frankton entry on Tuesday was of & IMtin class, and the decline in values waa rather marked. This applied to all grades, excepting occasional small lots, suitable for chilling, which were maintained somewhere near the current schedule. For ordinary classes values were;— Heavy and ordinary ox, 26s to 30s; prime heifer, 27a to 295; young cow, 21s to 245; ordinary cow, 15a to 17s; rough, 10s to 13s, MUTTON The central yards this week again drew a fair entry, but failed' to maintain the previous week's rates. Ewes did not alter greatly, the supply being less, but wether* were distinctly easier, except for occasional choice lots. Hoggets as usual were preferred and these sold readily at current rate#. Prime weth6rg gold to 24s (a choice pea, 26s 9d); medium, 21s 6d to 22a 6d; best ewes, 17s 6d to 19s 6d; lighter, from 16»; best hoggets, to 275; light lamba, 22a to 24a. STORE CATTLE The demand is very keen and makes purchase costly. Fair numbers of cattle are being handled, but quite insufficient to satisfy those in search. The entry at Morrinsvilie on Friday attracted another vast congregation of buyers, and from start to finish free competition was,.offered. Forward cattle were very prominent in the entry and appreciation of theae waa solidly expressed, pen after pen realising £9 and better. These cattle had maintained their condition, in a remarkable manner and seemed to require only a few weeks' nursing to fit them- for the butcher.- Eager competition waa again obtained for heifers, and what seemed high values were recorded. Twoyear steers were 'also popular, but it is doubtful if yearlings were as keen as at soma of the earlier sales. Young Jersey cows are steadily improving and,_ indeed, t the aged ones also. Many graziers see in these if not the prospect of great profit, at least the probability of little loss. Jersey yearling beifera have again drawn attention, and at all sales keen competition is to be witnessed. Values remain as recently quoted. STORE SHEEP At Morrinsvilie on Friday an opportunity of testing the demand in this branch waa given and proved stronger than many anticipated. It seems no use drawing comparisons with mutton values, any more than between beef and store cattle. In the heat of competition the relationship is lost sight of, but it is aafe to aay that better sheep could have been purchased in the mutton pens for the same money. Four, and sixtooths made to ,22s 3d; two-tooths, 21a to 21a 6d, "PIGS The steady demand continues and fair entries are being dealt with in all centres. At Frankton on Tuesday competition was a little keener, thus assisting a satisfactory clearance. Baconers sold to £3 3s; light, from £2 10a; heavy porkers, £2 2a to £3 8s; light from 30s; larce stores, 23s to 265; small,, 18s to "225; slips. 16a to 18s; best weaners, 13s to 17a; small, 6a to 12s. new' wool records SYDNEY AND GEELONQ SPIRITED COMPETITION (Received November 6, 10.5 p.m.) • SYDNEY. Nov. 6 At the Sydney wool sales to-day 12,528 bales were offered and 12,030 were sold. Ako 350 bales were sold privately. There was spirited competition from all sections and the market ruled at the best point of the week, with particularly keen demand for superfine wools showing length. The season's record price was raised to 24jd for fire bales from Yass and five' I 'bales from Barraba. A message from Melbourne states that new wool records were' made at the Geelong sales to-day, when the cream of Victoria's Merino clips realised up to Other buyers operating on behalf of English and American spinners paid 26Jd, 26Jd and 27d. GOLD AND SILVER QUOTATIONS IN LONDON (Received November 6, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 5 Fine gold is quoted to-day at £7 Is 3}d an ounce, compared with £7 Is fid yesterday. Silver is quoted at 29|d an ounce spot, and 29Jd forward, compared with 29id and 29 3-16 d yesterday. The quotation for silver at per fine ounce is 31|d, compared with 31$ d yesterday. WHOLESALE EGG PRICES Wholesale egg prices in Auckland are unchanged, as follows Hen, first grade, 11 Jd a dozen; B grade, 9*d; O grade, Bjd; duck, 10id, 9*d, 7*d.