COMMERCIAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19885, 11 March 1939, Page 8

COMMERCIAL

! WAIKATO STOCK VALUES STOKE SUTSHP EASIER , j Dry, hot conditions are being experienced in the Waikato and pastures in some districts are starting to show the effects of the dry spell. An casing tendency has been apparent for store sheep during the past week. At the Morrinsville market 'last week there were again heavy entries. Prices for store lambs were lower than at the previous sale, due probably to the dry weather, and also In sympathy with the anticipated drop in the export schedule. The market for breeding ewes was also not as strong as at the previous sale, and values generally were quoted lower by 2s. a head. While buyers were not so keen, the quality offered in many cases whs inferior "to recent offerings, and some lines came forward in low condition. These two factors no doubt were partly responsible for the lower values ruling. The quality and. condition of the sheep arriving from the East Coast has been anything but good, and prices, consequently, have been much lower. Southern sheep, which have arrived in better order, have not shown the decline that 'East Coast sheep have, ft is now getting late in the season, and most of the sheep trade will be finished for this year. It looks as though sheep

TT farmers who have not yet filled their requirements will wait and buy the'; supplies of ewes when they are ; n lamb in June or July. Two outstanding lines of southerii ewes from the Danoeydrke ami Featherston districts attracted good competition and realised the satisfao tory prices of 19s 6d and 20s lid. Tlit; two-tooth ewes submitted were sma'.l and buyers for class displayed litt'o interest. It is obvious that the pea.*. has been passed for breeding ewes and future offerings will undoubtedly b*» traded on a lower basis. No .improvement in recent lower values for beef has been recorded, ami present indications are that a furth-f drop may 'be expected. Prime stee: -. are quoted at £ll to £l2; prime lightweights, £9 10s to £lO 10s; small, from £8; extra prime heifers, to £9 ss; prime vonng cows and heifei - s, £7 to £8 10s; medium. £5 I.os to £6 10s other killa'ble cows, £4 to £5. Medium entries of mutton have bee., coming forward at country centres aho values have shown little alteration.. Prime fat wethers made 18s (3d to IS.* 9d: medium. 17s to 18s; prime twotooth Southdown-cross wethers, 16s to 17s 3d; lighter, 15s to 15s 9d; prime maiden ewes, 15s to 19s; heavy fat ewes, 9s to 10s 6d; medium, 7s to 8s 6d; light, to