SHARP INCREASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27096, 2 June 1949, Page 9

SHARP INCREASE

FAT SHEEP VALUES DOUBLE MARKET AT BURNSIDE The feature of ye#\erday’s double market held at Burnside was the sharp increase in the values of fat sheep. The offering,, which numbered approximately 2800, was below the requirements of the trade for two weeks’ supply. Bidding was particularly keen, and prices fpr all classes of fat sheep suitable to the trade rose sharply. The quality on the whole was fairly good, including a few consignments of extra prime wethers and also a few consignments of choice quality ewes. Young ewes, of which there were a few pens of extra choice sorts, attracted particular attention among buyers*and made high values. In the fat cattle sectidn, the number penned was approximately 500, the quality on the whole being good, with several trucks of the best quality which has been offered for some time. Bidding was steady throughout the sale, there being little alteration in prices from those ,of last week. Towards the concluding stages

prices may have been a shade easier. The offering of fat lambs, which included a number of trucks of extra quality, also had a steady sale throughout. Both the trade and export buyers were bidding freely, and prices secured were well in line with those of last week. More interest was taken in the sale of store cattle, and the values were above those of last week. Better class cattle no doubt helped in the improvement, but generally there was a decidedly better tone over the whole auction. Runners and vealers also shared in the improvement and were selling better than for the previous two weeks. The yarding of baconers and porkers was a small one, and for these the values secured were even better than the high prices of last week. The inquiry for store pigs is still a poor one, and the offerings coming to hand are neglected. . FAT CATTLE , With the largest yarding to hand for some time, it was generally expected that the fat cattle prices might be a shade easier than those ruling for the past few weeks. On the whole, however, the sale was a particularly good one, there being little quotable alteration on recent sales. Some particularly good consignments were forward, including one from Ida Valley on account of G. E. Dundass, the top price for this lot making £29 12s 6d. Quotations: Prime heavy bullocks, to £29 12s 6 d: prime, £24 2s 6d to' £27 2s 6d;- medium, £22 7s 6d to ’£23 17s 6d; light, from £lB 7s 6d; extra prime heifers, to £2l 2s 6d; prime, £ls 17s 6d to £lB 2s 6d; medium, £l3 2s 6d to £l4 12s 6d; light, from, £l2 2s 6d; extra prime cows, to £l9 2s 6d; Prirpe£l3- 17s 6d to £l6 17s 6d; medium, £lO 17s 6d to £l2 2s 6d; light, from £8 7s 6d. FAT. SHEEP Keen interest was shown in the fat sheep, and with the short supply to hand for two weeks butchers were bidding to high values to secure anything like their requirements. Ewes and wethers both shared in the rise. The improvement in heavy wethers was 2s to 3s a head, while medium sorts were better by 5s to 6s a head, ewes generally showing values 3s to 4S above last week’s.. Quotations: Prime heavy wethers, t 0 735; to 70s; medium, 57s to 60s: light, Horn 455. Prime young ewes, 60s to 675; prime heavy ewes, to 445; prime, 36s to 40s, medium, 30s to 335; light, from 275. FAT LAMBS . The entry of fat lambs numbered 1250, and was generally better in. quality than last week. In this section the trade and outside buyers were again in the market, with the result that good values were again secured. Best quality lambs made UP to 52s 6d; prime, 45s to 50s; medium, 38s to 425; light,' from 345. STORE CATTLE The store cattle offered were superior to anything that has come to hand for some weeks. A large attendance followed the sale, and improved values resulted. Well-grown four-year-old steers in forward condition sold to £l9; average three-year-old steers, £l3 15s to £l4 10 , two to two-and-a-half -year-old steers, £ll 5s to £l2 14s; yearlings, £5 15s to £6 15s. Cows in fresh condition, £6 18s to £8 ss; best quality runners, £9 15s to £ll 17s; good vealers, £5 15s to £L light and medium, from £4. FAT PIGS With the small entry of' pigs to hand, bidding was free, and the values secured were well up to last week s, and in some cases were even better. Porkers again were in short supply and made extreme values. Best baconers made £7 15s to £8 7s; medium, £6 18s to £7 3s; light, from £6 10s. Best porkers £5 16s to £6 10s; medium, £4 5s to £5; light, from £4.