HIGH VALUES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27346, 23 March 1950, Page 9

HIGH VALUES

BURNSIDE SALE INDIFFERENT OFFERING OF FAT CATTLE Another indifferent yarding of fat cattle was displayed at yesterday's Burnside sale. The "offering, which comprised 240 head, was made up mostly of average to poor quality cattle, including a number of secondary class cows. The number of quality prime cattle was limited and for these ‘the trade were bidding keenly. Top price for the day was secured by Mr A. M. Finney, Berwick, who disposed of two trucks of quality cattle, ranging from £27 17s 6d to £33 12s 6d, and averaging £29 12s 6d for the two trucks. These were a nice line of Shorthorn cross cattle and were very suitable weights for the trade. The increase in values for all the better class cattle could be quoted at £1 to £1 5s a head, with all other classes firm to a shade better. The display of fat lambs was one of the best for the season, the great bulk of the yarding being made of excellent quality. With another rise in the sche-

dule, prices showed a further improvement on last week’s values. Export buyers were the principal operators, although the trade was in the market for any handy sorts suitable for its business. There was again a good showing of fat sheep, although barely up to last week’s yarding, the number penned being 2250 This offering was much on the same lines as last week’s and included several consignments of light-weight wethers and ewes. There was little quotable alteration from last week, good values being maintained and probably for the better class wether there was a slight improvement. The entry of store cattle was again a poor one. there being only a few pens of light young cattle on the market, with practically no quotable lines offered. Runners and vealers came forward in large numbers and with the exception of the better class, the sale was a fairly dragging one. Baconers and porkers, which have maintained their values for some considerable time, again had a ready sale and the prices secured were even better than those ruling last week. Small offerings are coming to hand and the trade is unable to fulfil its requirements. FAT CATTLE With the class of fat cattle coming to hhnd it is a difficult matter for the trade to secure anything like decent supplies, and this will probably force buyers to operate outside the market. Poor offerings have been coming to hand for some time, and yesterday’s offering was just about the poorest for many sales. Quotations: Extra prime bullocks, to £33 12s 6d; prime, £26 17s 6d to £3O 17s 6d; medium, £24 12s 6d to £25 17s 6d; light, from £2l 7s 6d; prime heavy heifers, to £25 7s 6d; prime, £l7 7s 6d to £l9 12s 6d; medium, £l3 17s 6d to £ls 12s 6d: light, from £ll 12s 6d; prime heavy cows, to £24 2s 6d: prime, £l4 12s 6d to £l7 7s 6d: medium. £ll 12s 6d to £l2 17s 6d; light, from £9 7s 6d. FAT SHEEP The sale of fat sheep was again a particularly solid one throughout, there being little alteration in prices. Freezing buyers were keen operators for all lighter weights, both ewes and wethers, with the trade bidding fairly keenly throughout for the better class. Quotations: Extra quality wethers, to 595: prime, 52s to 575; medium, 46s to 495; light, from 38s; extra prime ewes, to 375; prime, 33s to 365; medium, 27s to 30s; light, from 23s FAT LAMBS The better class of lamb that has been forward for the last two to three sales was again yarded, with a liberal supply of extra quality. Extra prime lambs made up to 575; prime, 50s to 555; medium, 45s to 48s; light, from 375. STORE CATTLE The store cattle section comprised three or four pens of light young sorts of rather indifferent breeding. Two pens of 18-month-old made from £8 to £9 10s; a pen or two of fresh conditioned cows made from £7 18s to £9. Best quality runners, of which there was an oversupply, realised from £9 10s to £ll 15s, best quality vealers made £5 to £6 4s; average sorts, £4 to £4 15s. FAT PIGS Tlie demand for fat pigs was even keener than that of a week ago. This, to a great extent, was due to the small number offered. Prices per lb for these varied, but in some cases, exceptionally high values were realised. Extra prime baconers sold to £8 15s; prime, £7 17s to £8 7s; medium, £7 2s to £7 11s; light, from £6 18s; best quality porkers, £5 16s to £6 18s; light and medium, from £4 18s.