STOCK VALUES FIRM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23700, 5 July 1940, Page 3

STOCK VALUES FIRM

SMALLER WAIKATO ENTRIES DAIRY HEIFERS SOUGHT Smaller entries of most classes of stock are now corning forward at Waikato centres, and values remain very firm, with an improvement in some sections. Fewer clearing sales are now being held, but there is still a very keen demand for good cows and, if anything, tho market is.a shade firmer than early in the season. More dairy heifers nro coming forward at the main centres, and those showing close to profit meet with a ready sale at very firm rates. There is also a good inquiry in the paddock, but many of tho top lines havo now been disposed of, with tho result that extra choice heifers are at a premium. Only small yardings of store cattle have been penned this week, but many graziers who hare disposed of most of their beef are in the market for replacements, and well-bred cattle maintain recent rates. The market for forward store sheep lias shown an improvement during the past few weeks. There

is quite a good demand for owes in. lamb which liavo been genuinely farmed, and prices for this class havo shown an advance at some sales, but poor quality not wanted except at low figures. Well-woolled white-face hoggets are also sought, and hero again values have improved. Smaller entries of boner cows and potter bulls sell at unchanged rates. Beel.—Comparatively small entries of wellbred fat cattle arc still coming forward and, in spito of the restricted competition from exporters, tho local demand appears stronger, and recent slightly improved rates havo been maintained. As a large number of prime rattle have already been disposed of, a further rise in values is possible. A medium entry of ox beef comprising mainly light to medium weights was penned at the central yards on Tuesday. Competition was steady throughout and late were fully maintained. Some good quality consignments were again offered in tho female section, and hero again values were very firm. One offering of particularly choice heifers sold at 4,-11 1 ."is, which

is tho highest prico recorded in these yards for somo timo. Pritno fat bullocks mado £l2 to £'l3; primo medium weights, ,C II to £ll 15s; light prime, £lO to £lO 15s; extra primo young cows and heifers, £lO to £ll ss; prime heavy, £8 15s to £0 10s; medium weights, £7 to £8 10s; light, £5 10s to £0 10s. Mutton.—Tho market for fat sheep con-

tinucs buoyant, and, although only small yardings arc coming forward at country sales, competition from local butchers maintains prices at central yard levels. Another heavy yarding was penned nt the Frank ton sale on Tuesday, and included n larger proportion of well-finished sheep than at tlio previous sale. Moro outside butchers were operating, with tho result that competition was keener from

the outset, and prices improved by up to 2s a head on tho lower values recorded at the samo market last wock, when tho quality was below tho usual standard. An avcrago entry of fat lambs sold at unchanged rates. Extra primo wethers, 31s to 375; primo, 31s to 33s Gd; light prima, 28s to 30s; primo maiden ewes, 20s to 28s 3d; primo fat owes, 22s lid to 255; medium, 20s to 21s Gd; light, 17s Gd to 19s; unfinished, to 17s. Pigs.—Very small entries of fat pigs aro now coming forward, with tho result that competition from local butchers is very strong for porkers suitable for trade, and prices for this class tend to show a further firming. Large framed pigs for finishing are also keenly sought, and here again values remain very firm. Although breeding sows are coming forward in good numbers, there is a strong inquiry at recent high rates. Stores and weanera continue to meet a ready salo at firm to improved quotations. Medium baconers made £-1 to £4 8s; light, £3 10s to £3 15s; heavy porkers, £3 to £3 8s; medium, £2 12s to £2 18s; light, £2 5s to £2 10s. WESTFIELD QUOTATIONS Average values for dairy cattle were maintained at the Wcstfield weekly stock sale yesterday, although tho top values were lower. The demand in the store section was firm, with boner cattle (-clling freely. 'The quotations were:— Store Cattle. —Young cows, £2 10s to £.'<>; boiler and aged, £3 to £5; potter bulls, £8 to £10; meaty killable cows, to £7; yearling Jersey heifers, to £4 15s; herd bulls, to £7. For dairy cows, good Jersey springers, to £11; Jersey heifers, to £ll 10s; Shorthorn cows and heifers, to £l2 15s; Holstcin cows, to £ll 10s; other cows, to £B,