SHARP DECLINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26782, 27 May 1948, Page 7

SHARP DECLINE

FAT SHEEP PRICES INCREASED VALUES FOR FAT CATTLE The keen interest which has been displayed in the fat sheep market for the past few weeks had a setback at Burn-' side yesterday. With a large yarding to hand and despite the fact that the quality was the best which has been offered for some time, values showed a drop of fully 8s a head on the opening sale, and, although prices fluctuated slightly throughout, they generally showed little further improvement. In the fat cattle section the offering barely compared for quality with recent sales, the number of prime sorts being in shorter supply. The sale opened at prices showing an improvement of £1 to 25s a head on all good-quality ox, while other classes could be quoted firm to a shade better. Cows and heifers, of which there was a fairly good offering, also had a good following, and the improvement in values compared favourably with other sales. The offering of. store cattle was the largest for some weeks, the class, however, being only average, with a number of pens of ordinary sorts. The sale barely compared with last week’s, and prices ap-

peared to be easier by fully 10s a head. Vealers and runners were also forward in larger numbers, and for these the inquiry for the better sorts was well maintained, with other classes only meeting with the fair competition. The offering of fat lambs was a small one, and showed little variation from last week’s sale. Baconers and porkers again had a rather indifferent yarding, with the usual number of unfinished sorts. Prices for the better classes are still well maintained, with other sorts not so keenly competed for. Store pigs again had a fair inquiry, but the prices realised showed little alteration from late sales. Owing to the holiday, there will be a double market next week. Fat Cattle In this section the number offered was 390 head, the quality in the main being fair, but lacking in the number of goodquaiity bullocks which have been forward for the last two weeks. Competition for the better class beef showed a decided improvement, and this was maintained fairly evenly throughout the sale. Cows and heifers also showed an improvement to much the same extent, and in this, section there were also a few pens of good quality. Quotations: Extra prime heavy bullocks, to £27 12s 6d; prime heavy, to £26 7s Gd; prime, £23 7s 6d to £25 12s Gd; medium, £2O 2s 6d to £2l 17s 6d; light, from £ls 2s Gd; extra prime heavy heifers, to £l9 7s 6d; prime heavy, to £l7 17s 6d; prime, £l4 12s 6d to £ls 17s 6d; medium, £ll 17s 6d to £l3 7s 6d; light, from £lO 12s Gd; extra prime cows, to £lB 2s Gd; prime, £l2 12s 6d to £ls 7s 6d; medium, £lO 7s Gd to £ll 7s 6d; light, from £8 7s 6d. Fat Sheep The offering of fat sheep was the largest for the past four weeks, approximately 2650 sheep being offered. The display was a particularly good one, but with the larger offering to hand the prices receded by several shillings a head on last week’s. Even at the reduced prices, little fault can be found with the values ruling. Quotations:—Extra prime heavy wethers, to 64s 6d; prime heavy, 61s to 625; prime, 57s to 595; medium, 43s to 48s; light, from 365; prime heavy ewes, to 43s 9d; prime, 35s to 40s; medium, 32s to 345; light, from 275. Fat Lambs The entry of fat lambs was again of normal size and the quality average. Bidding between the trade and export buyers kept values well up to schedule, bestquality lambs making from 40s to 455, medium 34s to 375, and light from 295. Store Cattle With the large yarding to hand, and with a rather indifferent display of quality, the store cattle sale barely showed the interest of last week, prices generally being easier and sales more difficult to effect. Good three-year-old steers made up to £l4 7s 6d; two-year-olds, £lO 15s to £11; one to one and -half-year-olds, £6 14s to £7 ss; small yearlings, from £3 16s. Two pens of forward condition cows made £9 12s. Best quality runners are making from £9 to £lO 10s; prime vealers, £5 15s to £6 12s; small and medium, from £3 3s, Fat Pigs The entry of baconers was again a small one, with the usual offering of light-weights. Prime-quality baconers are realising well up to late rates, with a dull sale for other classes. Prime heavy baconers made up to £9; prime, £7 14s to .£8 2s; medium, £6 5s to £6 16s; light, from £5 10s. Best porkers made from £4 12s to £5, and light and medium from £3 14s.