WAIKATO VALUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22372, 19 March 1936, Page 7

WAIKATO VALUES

GOOD TONE CONTINUES COMPETITION FOR SHEEP; DAIRY STOCK WANTED This week's spell of fine weather in the Waikato has been welcome, though the frosts at night are an undesirable accompaniment. Tho stock markets generally hold fairly well excepting the store cattle branch, which apparently has started on its seasonal decline. In well-bred and forward lines the movement may be slow, but the coarselybred are sure to suffer acutely, and only low values will tempt graziers to accommodate them through the winter.

Store sheep, on the contrary, maintain their position firmly, and at the various sales held during the week keen competition was faced. Many seem to be awaiting and hoping for a fall, but the number available is sufficient to prevent this. There does not appear any possibility of satisfying their demand, for a study of forthcoming sales indicates clearly that the season is practically at an end, and only scratch lots will be available from now on. The dgiry farms arc beginning to discard in earnest, a fact that saleyards everywhere bear witness to. The "boner" schedule is unfortunately slightly lower, but buyers are numerous, and competition up to the limit allowed is as strong as ever. Conditions in the separate sections are BEEF The markets are abundantly supplied and generally reflect an easier tone. At Frankton on luesclay a full entry was penned, but it included only a few oxen. Competition did not improve on that account; in fact, values were lower. Cow beef also, except on rare occasions, was below last week's rates. a owar d the conclusion of the sale wai on the boner basis. A heavy entry of runners and veal sold at slightly easier rates. Prime ox sold to 26s 6d; ordinary, 23s to 245; prime heifer. 24s to 265; young cow, 19s to 225; ordinary cow, 14s to 16s; bonerg. 103 to 12s. MUTTON The entries during the week have been smaller, but without improving values to any extent. At Frankton on Tuesday wether I values were somewhat easier on a small , entry, but on ewes stronger competition ruled, and prices advanced about Is a head. A large entry of lambs was well competed for. the recent advance of Jd on seconds affording buyers a little more latitude. Heavy wethers sold to 26s 6d; medium, 23» Gd to 255; heavy ewes, to 20s; medium, 16s 6d to 17s 6d: heavy lambs, to 265; medium. 20s to 22s 6d; lighter, from 16s. STORE CATTLE Although not reflecting the keenness of a few weeks ago. this section etill proves very attractive, and considerable business is passing. Condition seems essential, and lines lacking this or of inferior breed are not popular. Good young cattle are in keen demand, and calves of quality are frequently seen to register high values. For ordinary classes, however, the demand is weakening, and for the next few months fear of winter is sure to assert itself. Dairy stock is steadily advancing in favour, and it seems as if the old system of paddock selling will be reverted to. During the last two seasons buyers had no need to travel beyond the saleyards. but the comparative (scarcity that now exists, combined with the larger demand, must lead to a more eager search, and this has already begun. Weaner calves are equally popular, and prices now ruling will encourage dairymen to rear a larger proportion of the herd's increase. Values for these range from £3 15s to £3 10s for the best, with medium quality from £2 to £2 10s. Dairy heifers sell from £6 to £7, with medium 6orts from £4 to £5 ss; small and backward, £3 to £3 15s. STORE SHEEP Morrinsville, which has now become the recognised distributing centre of the "Waikato, displayed another extensive entry on Friday last, and with the result that has been common throughout the season—satisfactory clearance. Far from declining, as many anticipated, quite a number of lines that: failed to reach owner's reserve in the previous week were transferred without difficulty on this occasion. It is questionable, if. the really good ewes are as firm as formerly, but the medium and inferior classes were never in keener demand, and it looks as i£ many will be unable to fill their requirements. Store lambs also are in excellent demand, and at all centres competition 'for these shows spirit. Current rates are:—Good four and five-year ewes, 24s to 265; medium. 21s to 235; six-year, ISs 6d to 21s 6d; aged, 15s to 18s; low condition, 10s to 13s; forward lambs, 17s to 19s: good store lambs, 16s 6d to ISs; medium, 14s to 16s; small, 10s to 13s; ewe lambs, 20s to 235. PIGS

Heavy entries continue to be handled and at all centres with satisfactory results. At Frankton this week baconers and porkers both maintained last week's firmness. Store pigs during the week have drawn better inquiry, and both Morrinsville and Frankton recorded higher rates. Baconers sold to £3 4s; light, from- £2 103; buttermilk pigs, £2 to £2 10s; best porkers, to £2 6s; light, from 2Ss; store pigs, 18s to 265; slips. 10s to 16?; weaners, to 10s, with small sorts from 43 to 6s. MATAMATA HORSE SALE Dalgety and Company, Limited, report as follows on their horse sale at Matamata: —There was a good yarding and a fair attendance. The demand for unbroken draughts was not bo keen as at our spring sales, and generally vendors' reserves were above buyers' values. All good working draughts that could be recommended sold under keen competition. We yarded _97 horses, and the following were our principal sales:—On account of Mr. Cole, three-year unbroken gelding, £4O; two-year-old filly, unbroken, ' £3O: ditto. £3l; account Mr. F. Barugh, two-year filly (light), £2O: twoyear gelding, £23; account Mr. J. Burke, light mare and foal. £ls: account Mr. R. Jones, eight-year-old gelding, £25; account Mr. T. Dodd, six-year-old gelding. £23: account Mr. S. P. Julian, aged mare. £ls; account Bank New South Wales, aged gelding, £25; account Mr. A. Forsythe, sixyear mare, £24; aged gelding, £23; ditto, £l7; account Messrs. Crabb Bros., aged mare, £2O; account Mr. J. Murphy, threeyear grey gelding, £SO; account Mr. McXickle, light gelding, £l7 10s; account Mr. W. F. Saunders, four-year colt, £37 10s; account Mr. S. Billon, aged gelding. £27 10s; account Mr. T. Barugh, three-year gelding, £32 lQs; account Mr. A. J. Spain, roan gelding, aged, £26 10s; account Mr. R. W. Burns, light draught mare, £l7; account Mr. J. Millen, light gelding, £l4; account Mr. H. Selby, aged geldipg, £3O; account Mr. A. Forsythe, light aged mare. £3O; account Mr. A. J. Mellow, three-year gelding, £l9; three-year-old hack, £l9; account Mr. E. Spain, grey hack, £8 10s; account Mr. A. Lloyd, polo pony, £ll 10s; other hacks, account clients, £2 to £6 10s. LONDON WOOL SALES MERINOS SELL WELL LOXDON, March 17 At the London wool sales to-day 7664 bales were offered, including 4969 New Zealand, and 6950 were sold. There was a good supply of Australian Merinos, and they sold actively at full rates. A New Zealand greasy halfbred clip, New Zealand Land Company over Mount Fortune, realised 16Jd top prioe and 144 d average.