WAIKATO VALUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22319, 17 January 1936, Page 5

WAIKATO VALUES

SHEEP IN KEEN DEMAND STORE LAMBS SELL WELL LARGE YARDINGS OF PIGS It. was commonly thought that the early predictions regarding sheep values were more optimistic than the result would support, but even the most sanguine estimates have been ex- j ceeded. Xo doubt the season, so prolific of pasture growth, is largely responsible, for there really seems no other way of accounting for the increase over last year's values. Store lambs, of which, the offerings so far have been chiefly composed, are on an average 3s a head higher than last season's opening rates. Thus, with the export price at exactly the same level, the profit margin for graziers has been narrowed; in fact some growers who have recently tested both outlets find their advantage lies in soiling through the store section. Perhaps as larger supplies appear the pace may slacken. An opportunity of testing the attitude toward breeding cues will be available at Morrinsville to-day. A great demand lias to be filled and before this need other considerations will give way. For comparison last year's opening rates should prove interesting and wore as follows: —Two-tooth ewes, 21s to 265; four and six-tooth, 22s 6d to 255; four-year, 20s to 235; five-year, 18s to 21s; six-year, 14s to 16s. Through February a general advance ot about 2s a head took place, but isolated sales that have taken place this year clearly indicate higher expectations on both sides. Export schedules for the various products covered show no alteration. Conditions as affecting separate sections are: BEEF' Generally speaking this section continues steady and much firmer than is customary nt this season. The entry at Frankton on Tuesday was an average one for cow beef, with oxen somewhat under-supplied. Quotations for the latter were similar to last week's rates, which also were maintained for good female lots, but values for secondary classes slipped ft little from the previous standard. Prime ox sold to 295; ordinary. 25s to 275; prime heifer, 2Gs to 28s; young cow, 21s to 23r; ordinary cow, 17s to 18s; rough, 13s to 15s; boners, 9a to lis. MUTTON The market in this branch is not Btrong and outside the central yards competition is inconsistent. At the main centre on Tuesday an average entry was again dealt with, and although wethers maintained the recent weeks' levels ewes fell out of favour and declined perceptibly. Lambs were again in fair supply, and. meeting with export support, kept as neai 1 schedule as buyers' estimates permitted. Choice wethers sold to 2os 9d; medium, 22s fid to 245; unfinished. from 21s fid: best ewes, to 15s 9d; medium, 12s fid to Its; heavy lambs, 21s fid to 2,' is; medium, 19s fid to 21s; light and unfinished, from 17s 9d. STORE CATTLE That buyers are still in the market for cattle was well evidenced at Frankton yards on Tuesday when a small entry of steers from North Auckland was submitted. Although they were only in store condition competition was keenly offered, carrying the value to £S for the best draft. It is quite likely that this warm response unusual at this stage will tempt other cattle owners to submit stock which normally would be held until autumn, and the general appearance of pastures leads to the opinion that much stock could still be absorbed. At present yardings everywhere are light and consist principally of oddments from the dairy farm 3. STORE SHEEP As already stated store lambs are the prominent feature in this section, but even of these the number is not considerable. However, buyers are extremely numerous, and it is safe to say that every dairy farmer will make an endeavour to supplement his income from this source. The advantage this year is entirely with the breeder. The arrival of breeding ewes is eagerly awaited and the best season -for many years seems dawning. Current lamb prices are;— Forward. 17s to 18s Gd; good stores. 16s to 17s 6d; medium, 13s to 15s; small, 10s to 12s; culls. 7s to 8s 6d; forward wethers, 20s 6d to 225; store wethers, 19s to 20s; small, 15s to 17s 6d. PIGS In all main centres large entries are being handled and universally with satisfactory results. Frankton yardings keep increasing and are difficult to cope with. At Tuesday's sale baconers slightly improved and porkers maintained their usual firmness. Store pigs also held steady and an average entry was readily disposed of Baconers sold to £2 lfis; lighter weights, from £2 8s; best porkers, to £2 6s; light,' from 335; good store pigs, 30s to 345; smaller, 25s to 28s; good slips, 20s to 24sbest weaners, lfis to 19s; small, from 10s.

BUTTER-FAT PAYMENTS

COMPANIES IN THE NORTH WEATHER AND PRODUCTION [by telegraph OWN- correspondent] WHANGAREI, Thursday The Whangarei Co-operative Dairv Company, Limited, will make advance payment to suppliers on January 20 for December butter-fat at the ~rate of lOd per lb. for superfine and 9id per lb. for first grade. This will absorb the sum of £29,254, as compared with £21,960 for the corresponding, month last year, when the advance was at the rate of 7d and per lb. for superfine and first grade respectively, the increase being £7294. Owing to the unsatisfactory weather in the early part of last month the butter manufactured was only 387 tons, as compared with 426 tons for December, 1934, and the total output for tho season to the end of December was 1395 tons, as against 1536 tons, for tho same period of last season. The chairman, Mr. E. S. Tremaine, said tho rains of the past few weeks have been responsible for an extra 50 boxes of butter per day, indicating the great influence of the weather on production. It is hoped that the end of the season will see last season's output equalled. The Oruru-Fairburn Dairy Company, Limited, will make an advance payment on January 20 for December supplies at the rate of 10d per lb. for finest and 9Jd per lb. for first grade, which will absorb the sum of approximately £6OOO. As tho result of the recent rains production is keeping up well and the company has every prosI>eet of maintaining the output of other years. RAGLAN COMPANY ADVANCE OF lOd PER LB. [bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] HAMILTON. Thursday The Raglan Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, has decided to advance its suppliers lOd per lb. butter-fat on finest quality cream supplied for buttermaking in December. Last January the company advanced 7id per lb. butterfat. CAMBRIDGE ADVANCE HIGH PAY-OUT FOR DECEMBER [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] CAMBRIDGE. Thursday The highest pay-out on December supply announced by dairy companies is to bo, advanced by the Cambridge Cooperative Dairy Company at the rate of IOJd per lb. on butter-fat supplied for butter manufacture, and per lb. on butter-fat supplied for cheese manufacture. Th£ total amount to be advanced is £26,047, making the payout for the season to date £115,203. In December, 1934, the pay-out was £19,715 at the rato of 7£d per lb. for butter and B£d p«r lb. for cheese. The total for the period was £93,245.