STOCK IN WAIKATO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 5

STOCK IN WAIKATO

I MILD WEATHER PREVAILS IMPROVED RATES FOR PIGS Very mild weather for this time of the year has been experienced and feed in the Waikato is still plentiful. As a result there is still Quite a good demand for most classes of stock. Small entries of grown steers continue to meet a ready sale at recent Quotations, while younger cattle also sell at unchanged rates. Large yardings of boner cows are still being penned and here again the ; nqairy remains keen with recent- firm prices ruling. Dairy cattle are starting to come on to the market- in . larger numbers and prices obtained for this class are very satisfactory. Ouitc a number of sales of in-calf heifers hav-j been held during the past few weeks an*! in nearlj all cases there has been a large attendance of buyers with practically a total clearance being effected at recent- quotations. In spite of the favourable feed conditions and the firm demand for dairy cattle, the iiiarket for yearling Jersey heifers shows no improvement.

Beef. —Moderate yardings of mixed quality fat cattle are coming forward and on the whole values show little alteration. Comparatively few pens of prime ox beef are being penned at country sales, where entries usually consist mostly of cow beef. At the central yards on Tuesday the entry of ox beef comprised mainly light-weights, which sold at unchanged rates. A smaller proportion than usual of prime station-bred cattle was included in the female section and prices for this class advanced by up to 10s a head. Prime fat steers made to ,113; prime mediumweights. ill to .ill 15s; light, .c.U) to £'lo 15s; small, to CO 10s; extra prime young cows and heifers, CO to CO 10s; prime, £S to X'S 15s; plain heavy fat cows. £7 to £7 15s; lighter, to .CO 10s.

Mutton. —Owing to the favourable feed conditions sheep are fattening readily and large entries of this class are coming forward with the result that prices have shown practically no improvement on recent reduced rates. For the third week in succession fat sheep were again penned in large numbers. On the whole values showed little alteration from those ruling last week. One outstanding pen of fat ewes sold readily at 17s lid, tiie highest" price realised for this class for some time. 1-at lambs again Diet a firm sale at recent quotations. Extra prime wethers made '-His (id to '27s Od: prime young ewes. His 3d to 17s lid; fat ewes, Ms to 15s lid; medium, l is to l-'s lid; light and unfinished, to 10s.

Pigs,—Yardings of fat. pigs are holding up well for I his time of the year and last, week's improved rates have been fully maintained. The announcement that the British Government had agreed to purchase stocks on hand to April 12 should also have a favourable effect on the market. However, from now on offerings will probably comprise mostly porkers only sufficient, for the local trade. Large entries of stores and weaners still sell readily at recent rates. Baconers realise C 3 5s to CI 2s; heavy porkers, £2 15s to £3: medium, i- ss to C2 12s; light, £2 to £2 ss; small and unfinished, 30s to 355.

VALUES AT PUKEKOHE PDKEK 0H E, Thursd a y A large yarding: of cattle came forward at Pnkekohe to-day when the Loan and Mercantile held its fortnightly sale. Values fur dairy cattle close to profit remained very firm. .Beef .sold on a liar with Westfield rates. Boner cows were not no keenly sought and prices were easier. Best dairy heifers, L(i Ids to I'l2 'is (id: dairy cows, I'ti In til U».s; prime .steers, .t!j 17s (id to ill! 'is; prime cows. ,C 5 :io,s to ,C:l ss; fat Jersey cows, LI Ids to XY> 7 s (id; boners, LI IDs lo 11 7s <jd; weaner heifer calves, 1:1 Ids to .t'_» J Is. All classes of pigs sold well. Choppers, L:2 Ids to £3 15s; haconers. I,'i to £1; porkers, I'2-to .02 17s; >toro>. LI Ids lo LI 15s; slips, ,L I to £1 ss; weaners, (is to Ms; sows ami lilters, .€1 Ids to L' 7; sows close to profit, £li ltts to .€5 Ids; boars, .'.'J 2s lo £ 1 -Is.