ADDINGTON MARKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26025, 13 December 1945, Page 2

ADDINGTON MARKET

RISE IN PRIME BEEF RATES (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 12. With a smaller yarding> than has been usual recently in the fat cattle section at Addington to-day, prices for primest steers showed a substantial rise. Rates for fat wethers declined slightly, owing to the big yarding, but there was a firming tendency for all classes of ewes. Porkers were in strong demand at increased figures. Store sheep also sold well at recent rates.

The store sheep yarding was made up mostly of a consignment of mixed sheep from the Meadowbank Station, Marlborough, ewe hoggets making up to 225, wether hoggets to 19s, mixed aged wethers to 20s 6d, and mixed aged ewes to 225. A draft of 'Corriedale ewes from North Canterbury sold from 29s 6d to 345, and other prices ranged from 25s Id for wether hoggets. Ewes and lambs were not in as keen demand as in the last few weeks, and some pens failed to find buyers. The highest price was 20s for a small pen (all counted), ahd there was another sale at 13s lid. Fat Sheep—The entry numbered about 5500, the major proportion being wethers. These found a somewhat erratic sale, and with the oversupply, prices dropped sharply over the concluding stages. On the average, prices declined from 2s to 3s a head, and there were several passings towards the ■ end.- Ewes ; however, met with an improved market, and a total clearance was made in this section. The highest price for wethers was 51s 7d, and for hoggets, 42s 7d. Young ewes made up to 34s Id, and aged ewes up to 31s Id. Fat Cattle.—The entry was 455, compared with 600 last week. There was a small percentage of extra prime cattle and heifers, and for these there was a sharp recovery of the recently easing prices. In the case of extra prime sorts, this increase represented from 30s to 35s a head, with a moderate improvement in other classes. Cows were again forward in large numbers, and were mostly bought by graziers. Best beef made to 55s per 1001 b; good, to 51s; medium, to 475; best cow beef, to 40s; and secondary, to 325. Extra prime steers made £23 to £2B 12s 6d; prime, £l9 to £22; extra prime heifers, to £l6 17s 6d; prime, £l3 5s to £ls 15s; extra prime cows, to £l6 7s 6d; and prime, £lO to £l2 10s. Fat Pigs.—Because of the removal of the restrictions on the sale of pork, butchers filled their requirements to-day, and the' entry was the largest for more than a year. Competition was exceptionally keen, and all classes showed a rise of up to 10s a head. Choppers showed a further easing of £1 a head The baconer varding was the largest for 12 months, but, nevertheless, last week s rates were maintained. Heavy porkers made to £4 17s 6d, choppers to £lO, and heavy baconers to £6 19s 6d. The average price per lb was Bjd to 9jd.