WAIKATO VALUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22349, 21 February 1936, Page 9

WAIKATO VALUES

HEAVY GROWTH OF FEED DEMAND FOR STORE SHEEP BEEF PRICES MAINTAINED With grass growing as in springtime, it is natural to expect a buoyant stock market and, generally speaking, this condition exists. No doubt, breeding ewes have eased a little and under the circumstances it could hardly be otherwise. For weeks Waikato has conducted one continuous fair, with enough still in sight to keep it in motion for weeks to come. Lower rates had been anticipated and hoped for by the purchasing section and, although the advantage is at the moment favouring them, it is not to say that there is any approach to collapse. Good ewes are not. plentiful and when offered never fail to attract strong competition. It is the older sheep, that normally would swell the mutton qxportj which are in abundance, and by the appearance of a glut which they create shed a depressing influence on the entire section. Considering the volume of this class, it was expected they would soon descend to the freezing level, but the. demand is still sufficient to support them in advance of that schedule, so that practically all are extending their breeding jicriod.

The demand for cattle has attracted offerings to meet it, and vendors have no cause to bo dissatisfied with the response. Values have not altered greatly from thoso current in spring; indeed, they seem, with a winter ahead, to offer little return for their modation during that stage. Dairy cattle are fast growing into prominence and much early activity in this branch may be looked for. There may not be the number available, but as the season has been unusually favourable the number of prop-erly-developed animals should be no less than in the previous year. Conditions as they affect the separate sections are: — BEEP Beef maintains its steady course, most markets being short of the customary supplies. Exporters are in eager quest of lots suitable for their trade, a ready market awaiting all that becomes 'available. At Frankton on Tuesday the entry was a . light one, and no difficulty was found in maintaining last week's levels, although cows were less consistent than oxen. Unfinished classes were a little easier. Prime ox sold to 295; ordinary, 25s to 27b; prime heifer, 2Gs to 27b Cd; prime young cow. 21s to 245; ordinary cow, 17s to 18s: plain, 13s to 15s: boners, 9s to lis. MUTTON Although flit <!wes are plentiful their higher value for breeding purposes keeps them distant from the mutton pens. On this account a steady market is maintained, and all that offers ia no niort* than sufficient for local needs. Wethers also only appear in moderate auantity, thus maintaining values on a consistent level. Competition at Frankton on Tuesday for a moderate entry was somewhat stronger than the previous week, and oil was readily cleared. Best wethers sold from 20s to 27s 6d; medium. 24s to 2oO; light and unfinished, 22s to 23s Gd. best ewes, 17s to 19s; medium, 15s to 16s Gd; plain, from 13a 6d; heavy lambs, 23s to 255; average, 19s 6d to 21s 6d, light, 18a to 19s: unfinished, from 15s 6d. STORE CATTLE The district is full of feed aud, in consequence, cattle are more in request than is usual at this period, and in relation to spring values are certainly much dearer. Naturally the fancy leans to those in forward condition, and the Frankton sale this ■week, where a special entry was submitted, gave excellent results, if not in all cases satisfying to vendors. Forward steers made to £8 12s, with three-year Btores about £3 less. Young cattle were in keen demand, 18 months steers making from £5 5s to £5 12s 6d: Hereford steer calves, £2 17s to £3 7s; heifer calves, £2 6s to £2 14s. There is a strong inquiry for in-calf heifers, but holders are inclined to be cautious, quoting in most oases a rate .above the purchasers' expectations. Weaners have not come forward in any quantity. Good Line* will probably make close to £3. Medium 6orts in saleyards sell from 30s to £2. STORE SHEEP An immense volume of business is being done and mostly at satisfactory rates. At Morrinsville sale on Friday, where a heavy entry was penned, competition was not so free as at previous and subsequent 6ales, yet this may but prove one of those fluctuations which often make an unwelcome intrusion in the year's series. It is but natural, that. buyers should wonder where in theii midst a market is to be found for the myriads that are attracted. From north, sotith, east and west they drift incessantly, and it is safe to say that in no other centre could they find a harbourage. For the thousands still to come the reception may not be so warm, but many have requirements still to fill, and their demand may, as it has always done, outlast the supply. PIGS Full yardmgß face the buyers at all centres'. The demand for baconers keeps strengthening and at Frankton on Tuesday the highest rate of the season was recorded. In the porker section little alteration was shown. Buttermilk pigs were very firm, but younger sorts did not quite maintain their previous levels. Baconers sold to £3 2s; light, from £2 8a to £2 12s; heavy porkers £2 2s to £2 light, from 32s to 365; large Btores, 25s to 30s; smaller, 20s to 24s slips. 15s to 18s; weaners, .8s to 14s.

HEAVY MATAWHERO YARDING [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] GTSBORNE. Thursday

The yarding at the Matawhero ewe fair yesterday was a record for the district, eclipsing the record of a fortnight ago by about 2000 and totalling 38.1G0. In spite of unfavourable weather there was a large attendance, but the usual buyers from the Waikato aud Bav o( Plenty were not present. However, many ewes for northern districts were purchased through local agencies. The quality of two-tooth ewes was not up to the standard of the previous ewe fair entry. However, they were in sharp demand and maintained values, quality considered, making from 23s to 2fis 9d, with one pen at 28s 3d. Older ewes, which were about 2s 6d a head easier during the morning, recovered somewhat in price during the afternoon. Six-year ewes, 13s 6d to 19s Bd:t fiveyear. 18s to 20s 9d; four-year, 20s 2d; threeyear. 20s; four and six-tooth, 23s 8d to 25s 3d; better sorts, 27s 2d; four, six and eighttooth. 22s 2d to 23s 6d; light sorts. 18s 9d. HAMILTON STORE SHEEP The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company, Limited, reports having held its weekly store sheep sale at Hamilton, when a good yarding of all classes came forward. Lambs again were in good demand, while young breeding ewes found a ready sale. Good two-tooth ewes made 32s Gd to 34s Gd; five-year breedings ewes, to 21s; soundmouth ewes, lfis to 19s; broken-mouth ewes. Its to 15s; aged and inferior sorts. Gs to 12s Gd; good ewe lambs. 235; forward-con-ditioned lambs, 15s; good store lambs, 12s Gd to 13s 9d; smaller, to lis 3d; cull sorts, Gs to Ss 9d: Southdown rams, 2J to 4}gns. MARKED HEIFER SALE f FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT J PUKEKOHE, Thursdaj A hundred marked Jersey heifer calves from nil parts of the Franklin district were offered on behalf of the New Zealand Cooperative Herd-Testing Association at the. stock sale held by Alfred Buckland and; Sons. Limited, at Fukekoh-- to-day. The de mnnd was keen and prices, which showed » decided improvement on last year's values,: ranged from £2 Us to £o. The top price whs realised for a calf from Mr. H. J. Andrews, Onewhero, bought by Mr. G. Holt/.. Akn Aka. OTOROHANGA SHEEP FAIR j The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company. Limited, reports having held its Otorohiuipa sheep fair on Tuesday, when the advertised entry came forward. Competi tiou for good breeding ewes was keen, while inferior sorts were hard to quit. Lambs, of which a good number came forward, showed no variation. Store wethers mad< 2()s to 2!s Gd. small two-tooth rwes. 23s to 255, five , year bidding owes. 21s Gd to 245. : sound; mouth ewes, 18s to 19s (id; failing month ewes, 14s Gd to 17s Gd. aged aud' inferior sorts', 8s to 12s. forward conditioned lambs, 15s to 16s 3d; shorn store lambs, 12s to 14s 3d; smaller, 103 to lls 3d; culls. Gs to 8a 9d.