BURNSIDE MARKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26746, 15 April 1948, Page 7

BURNSIDE MARKET

Lower Values for Fat Cattle And Sheep

INCREASES IN ENTRIES

Entries in all the major class sections showed increased numbers at the Burnside market yesterday. The tone of the market throughout was quieter than that of last week, the entries being somewhat above requirements and with the consequent result that prices were easier. The entry of fat cattle numbered 420 head, and although there was an increased number of prime .quality cattle yarded, the balance of the offering was mixed. Demand throughout was slack and values generally could be quoted 30s a head below those of last week. Cows, however, did not show the same depreciation, there being little alteration on previous sales. The entry of fat sheep numbered approximately 2600, with a larger proportion of good quality wethers than has been offered for some time. The market did not have the keenness of last week, and prices at the commencement of the sale, and for the greater portion, were 2s 6d to 3s below last week's parity. In the concluding stages of the sale, buyers had disappeared and sales were difficult to effect.

Ewes sold up to recent rates and with the assistance of freezing buyers, maintained their values fairly regularly. In the fat lamb section, the entry again comprised mostly medium quality lambs with only an odd pen of prime sorts. There was little alteration in values compared with recent sales, the trade and freezing buyers operating freely for all suitable sorts.

There was a larger entry of store cattle yesterday and these were made up mostly of mixed sorts. The demand was slack, although prices did not vary to a great extent from that of the last two weeks. Vealers were forward in large numbers and showed a substantial drop on late sales.

Baconers and porkers had an average entry, and although the best quality baconers had a good demand, other sorts showed an easing from recent sales. The sale of store pigs was again rather an indifferent one, although the prices secured were equal to those of late sales. Fat Cattle.—ln this section, there was an increased number of prime quality bullocks, for which there was a fairly good inquiry, but at reduced values. The balance of the yarding, which was mostly of medium and mixed sorts, met with a slack sale. The entry to hand was apparently more than the trade could absorb while a number of the trade had secured outside. One good consignment offered on account of Hastings Brothers, Sterling, made up to £2B 12s fid, and an average of £27 7s 6d. Quotations:—Prime heavy bullocks, to £2B 12s fid; prime, £2l 2s fid to £25 2s 6d: medium, £l9 2s 6d to £2O 12s fid; light, from £ls 17s 6d. Prime heifers, £l4 2s fid to £ls 17s 6d: medium, £l2 12s 6d to £l3 2s 6d; light, from £lO. 7s 6d. Prime heavy cows, to £l6 17s Cd; prime, £l2 12s 6d to £ls 2s 6d; medium, £ll 6s to £l2 2s 6d; light, front £8 2s 6d. Fat Sheep,—The fat sheep section had a large entrv and was above the requirements of' the trade. Freezing buyers were operating freely for light-weights and ewes which showed little alteration

on last week’s sale. Prime quality wethers suffered to the greatest extent, and those who were fortunate enough to strike the sale in the last two races met with an indifferent sale. Quotations:—Prime heavy wethers, to 56s fid; prime, 48s 6d to 535: medium, 40s to 435; light, from 30s. Prime heavy ewes, to 32s 6d; prime, 26s to 28s, medium, 21s to 235; light, from 18s. Fat Lambs.— Tlie entry in this class was again of only average quality, the number of prime lambs forward being limited. Prices generally could be quoted on a par with those of late sales. Quotations: Prime quality lambs, 38s to 445; medium, 32s to 365; light, from 275. Store Cattle.—The store cattle sale was rather an indifferent one—buyers were In short numbers and the sale lacked keenness. The quality generally no doubt had an effect on the sale, the class being only average. One pen of four and live-year-old steers made up ter £l7; one and a-half to two-year-olds, £7 10s to £10; one to one and a-half-year-olds, from £6 ss. The yarding of vealers was a large one and prices showed a decided easing from former sales. Good quality runners were making from £7 to £8 Is sd; good vealers, £5 to £5 15s; medium, £3 5s to £3 18s; small, from £2 15s. Fat Pigs.—With an average entry in this section, the prices for good quality baconers showed little alteration. There were, however, a number of pens of medium sorts, which showed a drop of 7s to 8s below last week’s prices. Porkers were also forward in larger numbers and these also met with an easier demand. Quotations:—Best quality baconers sold up to £8; prime, £7 4s to £7 12s; medium, £6 2s to £6 10s; light, from £5 10s. medium and light, from £3 12s Wellgrown slips made from £2 5s to £2 12s; good weaners, £1 to 245; small and medium, from 14s.