FAT STOCK SALES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23215, 8 December 1938, Page 11

FAT STOCK SALES

PRICES AT WESTFIELD LARGE YARDINGS ENTERED EWES IMPROVE IN PRICE There were large yardings in every section at the Westfield fat stock sales yesterday, and the demand slackened toward the end of long sales. Values generally .were steady. Ewes recovered some of tho ground lost in the last threo weeks, but wethers were lower. Tho entry of beef was heavy, with first-c'ass quality offering. Calves were quoted lower on the average, poorer sorts being hard to quit. Hoggets were steady at late rates, while a good supply of lambs sold at lower prices. Values for fat pigs were firm under keen competition. Bidding was spirited for a full average yarding of store and beef cattle and values generally were firm at late rates. There was a large proportion of good cows and heifers in tho entry, and the ox beef penned was first class. Values in some sections improved slightly on those at recent sales, but the effect was counterbalanced by a slack demand for medium and inferior sorts. Steers reached a top price of £ls 17s 6d, compared with £ls a week ago, and cows and heifers sold to £ll 10s, as against £l2 7s 6d at the last sale. The .Sheep Section An improvement in prices for ewes, which had lost some ground in the last three weeks, was the feature of the sheep sale. The yarding was heavy, with a consequent slackening of competition toward the end of the day and prime wethers failed to reach the best price of last week. They were quoted 2s a head lower at 23s 9d. Ewes sold readily at the beginning to 16s 6d, as against 15s 3d a week ago, and although values eased later, average quotations were higher. Hoggets were quoted steadily. The yarding of spring lambs was heavy and- values eased slightly all round. Tho top price of 26s was Is less than last Wednesday, Values for pjood quality runners and vealers were firm in a large entry of calves, competition for these sorts being keen. In spite of this, average quotations were lower, vthe demand for small and unfinished calves being poor. Top price for runuers was £9 4 10s, compared with £9 5s last week. Vealers were 12s lower with sales to £6 12s. A keen demand was a factor tending to steady prices for a very heavy yarding of pigs. Prime baconers in particular were sought, and showed a slight improvement in values. Porkers sold to £3 Is, which was Is lower, while baconers improved by the same amount with sales to £3 17s. Baconers averaged 6}d to 6}d per lb., and porkers 7i| to 7sd. Comparison ol Quotations The following is a summary of the prices realised for fat stock for the last two weeks at the Westfield fat stock sales: — This Week Last Week BEEF (per 1001b.) Extra choice ox *4O/- 40/Choice and prime ox . . . . 35/- to 30/- 35/- to 30/Choice and prime cow and heifer 32/• to 38/- 32/- to 38/Boncr and rough 24/- to 31/- 24/- to 31/SHEEP (per head)— Prime wethers 17/- to 23/0 17/- to 25/0 Unfin. wethers. 15/- to IS/0 16/- to 18/0 Prime ewes .. 11/- to 16/6 10/- to 15/3 Unfin. ewes .. 4/6 to 10/6 '3/- to 10/Hofojets . . - to 20/6 Spring lambs . 10/- to 26/- 16/6 to 27/C'ALVES (per head) — Runners .. 70/- to 100/- 70/- to 185/Vealers .. 3/- to 132/- 2/• to 14-1/-PIGB (per head)— Baconers . . 62/- to 77/- 02/- to 76/Porkers .. 36/- to 61/- 38/- to 62/Weaners .. 12/- to 24/- 11/- to 24/• Slips . . 24/- to 32/- 2-1/- to 32/Large stores .. 30/- to 40/- 30/- to 42/-

Individual Consignments Top price in the ox beef section was £ls 17s 6d, made by a consignment from Mr.-C. E. Sampson, of Waerenga. Steers sold on account of Mr. B. McDonald, of Waiuku, made to £ls 10s, and a line from Mr. J. E. McLeod, of Waipu, sold to £ls. The best offer for a lino from Mr._J. Hannon, of Hautapu, was £l4 17s 6d, and a consignment from Mr. P. Walters, of Waiuku, made to £l4 10s. A lot from the estate of W. H. Kelland, of. Waiuku, made to £l4, and a consignment from Mr. A. Carlson, of Okoroire, sold to £l3 17s 6d. Steers marketed on behalf of Mr. B. Speechlay, of Pakuranga, made to £l3 10s, and a line from Mr. H. E. Potter, of Karaka, to £l3 ss. A line from Mr. A. Orr, of Hoteo, sold to £l3. Cows and heifers sold on account of Ainburys, Limited, of Mangere, made to £ll 10s, and the next best price of £ll 2s 6d was made by a line from Mr. R. B. Laird, of Whangamarino. Cattle traded on behalf of Mr. W. C. Pilmer, of Gisbornc, made to £ll, and lines from Mr. R. F. Hall, of Walton, and Mr. J. A. Hill, of Ohinewai, sold to £lO 17s 6d. A lot from the estate of C. Hill. Ohinewai, made to £lO 7s 6d, and a line from Mr. E. M. Wright, of Maiiku, sold to £lO ss. A top price of £lO 2s 6d was made by cows and heifers penned by Ball Brothers, of Paengaroa. and Mr. H. Windsor, of Matangi, and a consignment from Paul Brothers, of Waiau Pa, made to £lO. Other quotable lots were, sold on behalf of Mr. W. L. Orr, of Papatoetoe, to £9 12a Gd, and Mr. A. E. Costar, of Karaka. to £9 7s 6d.