HIGHER VALUES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27026, 10 March 1949, Page 9

HIGHER VALUES

BURNSIDE MARKET FAT CATTLE IN SMALLER NUMBERS All sections of fat stock at the Burnside market were in decidedly smaller numbers than on the previous week, the number of cattle offered being being approximately 180 head. This was a particularly small entry, with the result the prices showed a sharp incline on the previous week. On the general run of the sale, prices could be quoted £2 10s to £3 a head better. The quality on the whole was average, with a limited number of good quality cattle. All sorts, however, met with a ready sale. In the sheep section the number to hand was approximately 1900, ewes again predominating the sale, and in these there were many consignments of good quality. The demand for these was fairly regular throughout, freezing buyers operating freely for the light-weight class. Wethers, on the other hand, were in rather short supply, and there was a keen demand. The increase in values for wethers could be quoted at 3s to 4s a head. The entry of lambs was a poor one, being made up mostly of the end of the first draft, and there were only RANGE OF PRICES The following quotations per 1001 b for beef and per lb for mutton and pigs are supplied, with a comparison with last' week’s prices, by our special representative at yesterday’s Burnside stock sale:—

a few pens of fine quality lambs yarded. For the good class, prices were well up to late rates and in many parts a shade better. The poorer classes had rather an indifferent sale, however, buyers operating cautiously. Thera was again a fair display of store cattle, with only a limited number of buyers operating. The better class cattle have still a fair inquiry, but apart from these, the market here is weak. The inquiry for runners and vealers was again a good one, the entry being smaller than usual, and the prices secured were the best for many weeks. The same remarks apply to the baconer and porker section, the entry being limted, and the quality only average. Bidding was keen throughout, values showing an improvement on last week’s sale. Generally, the sale was a particularly good one for sellers, but no doubt, well above the price accepted by the control. Fat Cattle.—The display of fat cattle was not up to recent standards, but with the short supply to hand, sellers were in a happy position. Included in the entry were two consignments of good quality cattle, offered on account of Lands and Survey, and W. Dallas, Stirling. The top price for these two lots was £29 7s 6d. Others quotations: Prime heavy bullocks, to £29 7s 6d; prime, £24 7s 6d to £27 2s 6d; medium, £2l 17s 6d to £23 2s 6d; light, from £l9 12s 6d; prime cows, £l3 17s 6d to £l6 12s 6d; medium, £lO 12s 6d to £ll 17s 6d; light, from £8 17s 6d; prime heifers, £l4 12s 6d to £l6 12s 6d; medium, £l2 12s 6d to £l3 12s' 6d; light, from £ll 7s 6d. Fat Sheep.—There was a good demand throughout the ■ sale for all classes of wethers, the entry of these being somewhat smaller than last week. The sale for this class was a good one throughout. Ewes, which were forward in larger numbers, met with a fairly even sale, and prices realised were somewhat on a par with the previous sale. Quotations: Prime heavy wethers, to 59s 6d; prime, 54s to 575; medium, 47s to 50s; light, from 425; prime heavy ewes, to 30s; prime 26s 6d to 28s 6d; medium, 24s 6d to 25s 6d; light, from 235. Fat Lambs.—Good quality lambs are realising good values, but not many of these are being offered. The lighter classes met with a slow sale. Quotations: Prime quality lambs, 44s to 47s 6d; medium, 38s to 40s; light, from 325. Store Cattle.—The inquiry for this class of stock is by no means a keen one, although fairly good class buyers are still in evidence. One pen of fairly wellgrown three and four-year-old steers made up to £l7, while average sorts of the same age are realising from £l4 15s to £ls 10s. Two and a-half yearolds made £ll 10s to £l2 15s; cows in fresh condition, £6 17s to £8; best qualityrunners, £9 17s to £ll 18s; best vealers, £6 5s to £7; medium, £3 18s to £4 15s. Fat Pigs.—The offering of prime baconers was less than the usual, with only a few pens. Porkers were also in short supply and met with a particularly keen sale. Best quality porkers made from £5 12s to £5 18s; medium, £4 12s to £4 17s; small, from £3 12s. Best baconers, £7 11s to £7 18s; medium, £6 14s to £6 17s; light, from £6.

This Week. Last Week. s. d. s. d. Prime heavy ox beef .. 60 0. 54 0 Prime ox 65 0 55 0 Prime light ox .. .. 68 0 58 0 Ordinary ox 60 0 52 0 Extra prime heifers 55 0 50 0 Prime heifers 58 0 52 0 Med. and light heifers 58 0 52 0 Extra prime cows 45 0 42 0 Prime cows 47 0 42 0 Med. and light cows.. 44 0 40 0 Prime heavy wethers .. 0 8} 0 84 Light young wethers .. 0 10 0 10 Prime wethers .. .. 0 91 0 9 Med. and light wethers 0 91 0 9 Prime heavy ewes 0 54 0 54 Prime ewes 0 51 0 52 Med. and light ewes .. 0 54 0 54 Prime lambs 1 1 1 1 Med. and light lambs .. 1 0 1 0 Prime baconers .. .. 0 114 0 11 Med. baconers .. .. 0 114 0 11 Light baconers .. .. 0 11 0 11 Best porkers 1 2 1 1