FAT STOCK SALES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23167, 13 October 1938, Page 9

FAT STOCK SALES

riIICES AT WESTFIELD ! SHARP DECLINE IN BEEF DRY SPRING AFFECTS FEED Over-supplied with first-grade cattle, the beef market suffered another marked setback at the Westfield fat stock sales yesterday. Values receded 3s per 1001b., making the declipe in two weeks 4s, and tho ruling scale to 40s on a par with that operating before the sharp advance recorded on September 22. All classes of sheep were firm, except wethers, which \ wore slightly easier. Calves maintained la*o rates, and porkers were cheaper. Lack of feed caused by the abnormally dry spring after the severe winter was held by stock dealers to be responsible for the much increased entries of beef yarded for tho last two sales. Farmers, it was said, who would normally have retained big herds, releasing a limited number at a time, found themselves forced to sell in greater numbers because of tho feeding problem. Dealers and buyers alike forecast firm values being' maintained throughout tho year, because of the present heavy clearances, which would reduce later supplies. Sheep Quality Lacking

borne of the choicest cattle consigned for a long time was offered, but the almost unlimited selection tended to thwart spirited competition. Consequently, prime beasts that would have made high prices in recent sates were traded up to about 30s a head cheaper than last week. Steers suffered most, because of their majority in the yarding, The hest price was £lB, the same as last week, and cows sold to £ll 17s 6d, which was £1 bolow the top bid of the last sale.

Good sheep were not plentiful, although there was a fairly big entry. Stock in the wool constituted the bulk of the supply, there being a more sprinkling of shorn sorts, which were generally easier in value. Wethers failed to maintain recent values by a small margin, being priced to 31s *6d in the Avool and 27s 3d shorn. The demand was koenest for ewes, which wero fully firm, and in odd cases dearer than last week, price scales being to 26s for unshorn grades and 19s 9d for shorn. Increased Pig Yarding

Keen bidding followed the disposal, of a restricted offering of spring lambs, which realised from 24s 9d to 31s 9d, as compared with a top price of 36s last week. Hoggets were marketed on & par with previous values, from 8s to 27s a head.

Prime quality calves returned prices similar to those obtaining a week ago, but inferior types were not in demand and dropped in value fairly heavily in some cases. It was a large yarding, and runners made to £B, as compared with the extreme bid of £ll 17s 6d reached last week, and vealers brought to £7 13s, as against £8 7s at the former scalo.

Double the number of pigs marketed last week was auctioned under steady competition. Baconers were unaltered in value, a few extra prime sorts making to £4 4s each, but porkers were cheaper bv as much as 5s a head, and receded }d per lb. Porkers were quoted from 6fd to 7Jd per lb. and baconerß 6d to <Hd. Stores wer« in demand at good prices. Comparison of Quotations The following is a summary of the prices realised for fat stork for the last two weeks at the Westfield fat stock sales:—

This Week . Last Weak BEEF (per 1001b) f

Extra choice ox 40/- 43/Choice and prime ox . . 34/- to 30/-f 38/- to 42/• Choice and prime cow and heifer 32/* to 88/. 35/- to 40/Boner and rough 25/- to 31/. 27/* to 34/. SHEEP (per head)— Prime Wethers: Shorn .. 21/- to 37/3 21/8 to 28/Unshorn .. 25/- to 31/6 25/- to 34/6 Unfin. wethers: , ■ ' Shorn .. 17/- to 20/- 18/- to 21/. Unshorn ~ 20/• to 24/0 16/6 to 24/9 Prime ewea: , - Shorn .. 15/. to 10/9 14/6 to 20/. Urtshorn ~ 16/- to 26/. 18/- to 26/0 Unfln. ewes: Shorn .. M- to 13/Unshorn .. 3/- to 15/(5 2/- to 17/6 Unshorn .. 8/• to 27/- SI- to 26/Spring lambs . 24/0 to 34/0 21/- to 3s- - (per head) — Runners . . 100/-io 160/- 120/. to 237/6 Yealcrs 4/-io 153/- 7/-to 167/PIGS (per head)— Baconers .. 63/- to 84/. 66/. to 80/. Porkers ~ 33/- to 64/, 38/• to 74/Weaners .. 10/- to 27/. 10/- to 26/. Slips • • .. 22/- to 32/- 23/- to 27/Large stores .. 26/- to 47/- 28/* to 35/■ Individual Consignments Top price for ox beef was obtained for a choice line from Mr. L. H. Larner, of Morrinsville. which made to £lB. Drafts from Mr. v H. E. Heed, of Waerenga, and Mr. N. G. Lttenfield, of Patumahoe, realised to £ls 17s 6d, and stock entered by Mr. J. Pohlen, of Matamata, and Mr. R. A. Bent, of Putaruru, ranged to £ls 10s, A truck from Mr. P. Finlnvson's estate, of Paparoa, sold to £ls 2# 6d, and an offering from Blaekeft Brothers, of le Kowhai, was marketed to £ls. Further good lots were traded for Mr. F. Vosper, of Hinucra, to £l4 15s; Mr. 1). Gray, of Waiheke, and Mr. H. V. Kay, of Motutaii, to £l4 7s 6d; Mr. N. It. McElwain, of Wainku, tr> £l4 2s 6d; Mr. I. J. McGowan, of Pnketurua, to £l4: Mr. C. Proctor, of Ohinewai, to £l3 10s; Mr. V. C. Cooper, of Drury, to £l3 ss; Mrs. E. L. Craig, of Waiuku, to £l3 2s 6d; Paul Brothers, of Waiau Pa. to £l3. . ■ ■ Cows and heifers auctioned on belialt of Mr. E. A. TTrquhart. of Karaka, brought to £ll 17s fid, which was the best oiler in this section of the market. Prices to £ll 12s (id were obtained for an entry from Mr. W. C. Pilmcr. of Gisborne, and bids to £ll 5s were accepted for a pen from Mr. Kay. Cattle from Mr. H. E. Reed made to £ll, and to £lO 7s Gd was received for cows from Mr. R. Johnstone, of Manurewa. Lines frpin Mr. R. O. Ingram, of Onotiki, nnd Thompson and Ernst/ of Whakatane, changed hands to £lO 7s 6d and £lO 5s respectively. Other quotable consignments were cleared ' for Mr. H. Windsor, of Matangi. Mr. R..Hull, of \\ in. and Mr. McGowan. to £9 1/s 6d; Mr. R. H. Reed, of Waerenga. to £9 los; Mr, Voyier, to £9 10s; Mr. J. Langfordi of Pakurangn, to £9. DETAILS OF SALES AUCTIONEERS' REPORTS DALGETY' AND COMPANY Dalgety and Company. Limited, reports on the sale as follows:— 1 Beef. —Our offering of beef totalled 272 head, comprising 61 steers and 221 cows and heifers, against 170 head last week. The quality of both the ox and cow beef was first-class, but a weaker demand resulted in a further easing in values. Extra choice ox sold to 40s per 1001b.: choice and prime ox, 37s to 30s! Just kilfable. 33s to ; «s ; prime young cow and heifer beef, 35s to 3*s« Just, killuble, 25s to ais. T-.xtra heavy P r '»»e steers ranged in price from ill to A'B for steers sold on account of Air. L. n. Larner, of Morrinsville; heavy prime steers. £ll to £ls los: lighter prime steers, £l2 log to £l3 15s: light prime steers, £lO 5s io £l2: extra heavy prime younir cows and heifer*. £lO to £ll 15ss heavy prime cows and heifers, £M 15s to £0 15s: lifter prime cows and heifers. £7 to £8 10s; light cows £5 108 to £0 15s; other killuble cows, £•s 10s to £5. Bheop .—Average numbers were offered, nnd the demand was steady.. . Values for shorn shew' rul<;<l on u par with last week, while for woolly sorts values were slightly easier. Heavy prime wethers, shorn, •-'•ts to v.' s i medium 21s »d to 25s <ld; light and unfinished 22s to 'JIs 'id; heavy prune ewes, woolly -'3s lid; shorn. 18s to l!»s; lighter, shorn,' 16s 6d to 17s Gd; other enes, 12s to loi.

Runners Yealcrs

An average entry of hoggets sold under steady competition ana reabsed late rates. Heavy prime hoggets, £1 2s to £1 4s; medium, £1 to £ 1 Is fld; light, 17s to 10s; small and plain, 10s to 10s.

Calves.-—Calves were yarded in well up to average numbers. Competition was keen and all classes of (rood quality calves sold readily at values on a par with late rates. Values for the poorer quality and rough calves -were easier. Runners, £0 5s to £7 15s; heavy vealers, £6 10s to £7 13s; medium, £ft to £<J (is; light, i'ii JUsto £4 18s; small, £•2 10s to £'A 17s; unfinished and bucket-fed, £1 10s to £'J 4s; bobby calves, 9s to 18s.

Pigs.—Pigs were yarded in good numbers. Competition throughout was keen, and all classes sold readily at late' rates. Heavy baconers. £3 J3s to £4; medium, £3 10s to £3 13s; light. £3 3s to £3 Ss; heavy porkers, £2 18s to £3 4s; medium. £2 Os to £•> 10s; light, £1 10s to £2 7s. Store pigs also came forward in good numbers and values reached recent quotations. Good stores, £1 15s to £'_'; slips, £1 3s to £1 7s; weaners, 18s to £J 2s.

ALFRED BUCKLAND AND SONS Alfred Buckland and Sons, Limited, reports on the sale us follows:

Beef.—We penned fat cattle to the number of 231 head, as against 208 head last week, comprising 123 steers and 108 cows and heifers. We again had a heavy ottering of beef, and included several lines of choice quality. Bidding was not so keen and values again eased by 3s per lOOlb. Heavy-weights suffered most. Cows and heifers were not so keenly sought after, and we have to report a further casing in values. Extra choice ox sold to £2 per 1001b; choice and prime ox, £1 17s to £1 IDs; secondary and plain ox, £1 13s to £1 10s; prime young cow and heifer beef, £1 10s to £1 18s; ordinary cow beef, £1 5s to £1 10s. Extra heavy prime steers ranged in price from £ls to £ls 17s Hd; the latter price was for steers from Mr. H. E. Reed, of Waerenga, and Mr. N. G. Litchfield, of Patumahoe; heavy prime steers, £l4 to £l4 log; lighter prime steers, £l3 5s to £l3 15s; light prime steers, £ll 10s to £l2 10s; small and unfinished steers, £8 10s 6d to £lO 10s; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £lO to £ll 12s fld; heavy prime cows and heifers, £8 10s to £0 10e; lighter prime cows and heifers, £7 5s to £8; other killable cows, £4 10s to £6.

Sheep.—-Our total yarding of sheep numbered 600. Wethers sold freely at slightly lower values, while ewes remained firm at late quotations. No extra heavy prime wethers were yarded. Heavy prime wethers, woolly, £1 10s to £1 lis fld; heavy prime wethers, shorn, £1 6s to £1 6s; medium to heavy prime wethers, woolly, £1 8s to £1 9s; medium to heavy prime wethers, shorn, £1 2s fld to £1 4s; light to medium prime wethers, woolly, £1 .*>s 6d to £1 7s; light to medium prime wethers, shorn, 18s 9d to £1 Is Hd; unfinished wethers. £1 to £1 3s fld; extra heavy prime young ewes, woolly, £1 Is Hd to £1 Os; extrp heavy prime young ewes, shorn, 18s 6d to 10s Gd; heavy prime ewes, woolly, £1 2s 6d to £1 4s; heavy prime ewes, shojrn, 17s to 18s; lighter pr|me ewes, woolly, £1 to £1 Is; lighter prime ewes, shorn, 15s to 16s 6d; otner killable ewes, woolly, IGs 6d to 18s; other ewes, 8s to J."ls.

Hoggets were penned to the number 208, and sold freely at fully late rates. Extra heavy prime hoggets, £1 5s to £1 7sj heavy, £1 2s to £1 3s; lighter, £1 to £1 Is 6d; light. 17s fld to 19s; small and plain, 10s 6d to 16s.

Forty spring lambs made from £1 6s 6d to £1 14s.

Calves.—We had a good yarding of calves, hut the quality of the heavy runners and vealers was not up to the usual standard. The demand for all prime quality calves was keen and last week's values were easily maintained, although values eased toward the end of the sale. Unfinished and inferior quality calves were easier. Runners made from £5 to £8; heavy prime vealers, £6 2s to £6 18s; medium vealers, £5 to £5 10s; lfght vealers, £3 10s to £4 15s; smaller vealers, £2 to £3 6s; small vealers, £1 5s to £1 18s; unfinished and bucket-fed calves, £1 to £1 15s; bobby calves, 4s to ( lss. A totarof 282 calves was sold.

Pig*,—We had an increased entry of pigs. Bidding for all prime baconers was steady and values were fully firm at late quotations. The larger supply of porkers caused prices to recede slightly, while stores also realised lower rates. Choppers made £2 2s to £4 15s; heavy prime baconers, £3 IGs to €4; three extra good pigs made £4 4s; medium baconers, £3 10s to £3 13s; light, £3 3s to £3 8s; heavy porkers, £2 l,s to £3; medium. £2 7s to £2 12s; light, £2 to i*2 4s; small and unfinished, £1 13s to •£! 17s; large stores, £1 14s to £1 18s; smaller. £1 6s to £ 1 12s; slips. £1 2s to £1 ss; good weaners, £1 to £1 2s; others, 10s to 15s. Baconers sold from fid, to BVSd per lb, and porkers realised 6 3 4 dto 7/id por lb. A total of 602 pigs was sold. LOAN AND MERCANTILE The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, reports on the sale as follows: Beef. —-We had an average yarding of beef, comprised mostly of steers, cows and heifers being penned in , shorter numbers. Although there was a ready demand, values again eased 10a to los a head, and quotations were lower by 2» to 3a per 1001b. Extra choice ox sold to £3 per lOOlbj choice and prime ox, £1 14s to £1 10s; ordinary and plain ox. £1 10s to £1 13s; prime young cow and twifer beef, £1 12s to £1 18s; ordinary raw beef, £1 5s to £1 lis. No extra heavy prime steers were penned. Hea<r prime steers, £T4 10s to £ls 10s; lighter prime steers. £l2 10s tot £l4 <s 6d; light prime steers, £lO 10a to £l2 7s fid) plain and small, £0 to £lO 7s fid; extra heaTy prime young cows and heifnrs, £lO to £ll 7s fid: heiavy prime young cows and heifers, £8 15s to £0 17s fid; lighter, £7 to £8 12» fid: light, £5 15s to £8 17s fid; aged and plain finished cows, £3 10s to £5 10s. Sheep.—An average market of sheep met steady competition, with values again inclined to ease. Heavy prime wethers, woolly, £1 Ss Gd to £1 10s; shorn, £1 5s to £1 fig 3d; medinm prime wethers, woolly, £1 fis fid to £1 8s 3d; shorn, £l. 3s to £1 4s Od; light prime wethers, woolly, £1 5s to £1 6s 3d; shorn, £1 Is to £1 2s 0d; small and unfinished wethers, woolly, £1 2s fid to £1 4s Od; shorn. 17* to £1: heavy prime ewes, woolly, £ I 4s to £1 5s Od; shorn, IS? Od to 19s Od: medium prime ewes, woolly, £1 2s to £1 3s 9d; shorn. 17s fid to ISs Od; light prime ewes, woolly, £1 to £1 Is 9d; shorn. I (is to 17s 3d; just killablc ewes, woolly, l.">s to 18s 6d; shorn, 10s to 13s; interiorly fatted ewes, woolly, 2s upward; shorn, Is upward; heavy prime hoggets, £1 8s to £1 5* fid; medium, 18s to £1 2* fid; light, 16* to 18s fid; unfinished, Ss to 14s. ' Spring lambs in law numbers sold at from £J. 4s Od to £1 lis 9d.

Pigt.—We bad an average yarding of plgi. Competition was again keen, and values very firm on lait week's rates. Choppers sold from £'J 5s to £5 7s; heavy and medium baeoners, J23 10s to £3 10s; light haconers and heavy porkers, .62 .His to £3 8s; medium porkers and light porkers, £2 7a to £□ 14s: small, £1 10s to .62 ss. Store pigs were in keen demand and values were firmer on last week's rates. Large stores, £1 Ifis to £2 7c; slips, £! Os to £1 14s; weaners, 12s to £1 7s.

Oalvei. —Our entry of calves was a large one, the yardinsr being mostly of small and poor calves. Few good quality calves that were penned sold up to last week's rates, and the market generally was easier. Run* ners, £5 5s to £7 JOs; heavy heaters, £0 10s to £7 lis; medium. £5 to £6 as; light, £4 to £4 1 S*s; smaller, £3 to £3 lfls; small, £2 10* to £2 18s; rough calves. 15s to £1 10s; fresh dropped to thrte weeks old. 7s to' £2 7s.

ADDINGTON MARKET LARGE FAT SHEEP ENTRY [by telkcraph—press association] CHIUSTCHURCH, Wednesday Entries at tha weekly stork market at Addintrton to-da.v were smaller than last week, but there was a slight improvement in values in (lie more important sections, including fat sheep, fat cattle and fat pigs. There was little change in the value for store sheep, except for ewes and lanibs, which showed an easing, except for better sorts, of about Is. Good pens of ewes and lambs made to His 3d; medium sorts. 8s to 10s; indifferent, Bb (Id to 7s. (id; hoggets sold firmly, best wethers making to KJa Id; medium, lis; rough, down to Hs; ewe hoggets, 13s Od to 15s lod. Best spring lambs eased, nrimest sorts making about l id per lb. The fat sheep entry was larger than last week, comprising about 4750. Good competition existed throughout, as at last week's sale. Shorn sheep were in best demand and there was an appreciation of about Is for best ewes. Extra' prime heavy woolly wethers made to 3tis lOd; prime wethers. 31s (Id to 33s (id; prime medium. 27s to 30s od; light, to 225; extra prime shorn wethers to 27s lOd; prime, 23s to 25s Od; prime medium, 21s to 22s Od; light, to l!)s; extra prime woolly ewes to 20s 7d; prime, 23s to 255; prime medium, 18s Od to 22s (id; light, to 15s Os; best shorn ewes, 20s to 22s lOd; medium. His to 18s (id; light, to lis Od. The fat cattle entry totalled 422. The market firmed after the first race and at the end values were up to 20s better. Heavy-weight prime beef made 40s to 4bs (id, and heifer's in cases to 47s (id. cows making to 15s per 1061b; extra prime steers, to £23 2s Od; prime, £l7 15s to £2O; prime medium, £lO 5s to £l7 15s; light, to £l2 ss; extra prime heifers, to £lO 17s Od; prime. £l2 lOh to £ll 10s; medium, £lO 10s to £ll 15s; light, to £10; extra prime cows, to £lO 17s <k); prime, £ll 5s to £l3 10s; medium, £« 10s to £10; light, te £S. The porker entry in the fat pig section was again on the light side The sale was one of the best this season. A good number of rough and unfinished sorts were readily snapped up. Bacon fatteners generally advanced 2s to 3s. Chop pers were in small supply, with a furthei hardening in values. Baconers, which were varded in large numbers, were very firm. Choppers, £'3 3s Od to £5 10s; porkers 40s (id to £3 Us (id; nverage price per lh„ Sd to S'/ a d; baconers, £3 10s (id to £5 17s (id; average price per lb, 7!4d to 7'/.d. EGG PRICES UNCHANGED The Auckland Marketing Committpn announce that ejrj: prices arc unchanged. Hen, first grade. Is 4Jd a dozen; B grade, Is 3jd. Duck, first grade, ls> IJd a dozen; B grade, Is .'s{d. Country storekeepers' minimum buying prices, for first grade eggs are;— Hen, Is a dozen; duck,,ls a dozen,.