STOCK MARKET REVIEW

Southland Times, Issue 23989, 2 December 1939, Page 14

STOCK MARKET REVIEW

FAT CATTLE PRICES EASIER HEAVY OFFERINGS AT LORNEVILLE The southern markets for fat cattle were weaker this week, prices at both Lorneville and Bumside receding somewhat. Entries were large and competition was not as keen as during recent weeks. At Addington, the market was erratic, but mediumweight cattle showed an improvement of 10/- a head, heavyweights being steady. With the advance of the fattening season, the quality of the fat cattle at southern sales has shown an improvement. Good bullocks have been offered at recent sales and there are indications thht cattle of good breeding in prime condition may be available for the local markets for several months. Although perhaps not in the interests of growers, the decision of the British authorities not to import chilled beef during the war should react to the advantage of local consumers of meat as a number of cattle raisers were preparing cattle for export as chilled beef, during the present summer. With the favourable conditions experienced so far this season, these cattle have made good progress and are now approaching killing state. Young stock of this description 'should be welcomed on the local market which seldom sees cattle other than generally poor and unfinished quality. Extra priqje bullocks were about on a par with recent rates at Lorneville, but medium and inferior cattle were from’ £1 to £l/10/- a head easier. The range of prices was as follows: Extra prhhe quality bullocks made £l7/10/to £B/10/-, prime quality £l4/10/- to £l5/10/-, handyweights £l3 to £l3/15/-, lightweights £l2 to £l2/15/-; good quality cows £lO/10/to £ll/10/-, medium £B/10/- to £9/10/-; inferior £6/10/- to £7/10/-; good quality handy weight, heifers £lO/10/- to £ll/10/-, lightweights £B/10/- to £9/10/-.

A very heavy entry of fat sheep also met an easier market. The bulk of the yarding comprised ewes, with the greater proportion of only fair quality. Over the whole sale, prices were about 2/- a head easier, but a bigger drop occurred in inferior quality sheep. Prices were as follows: Prime quality woolly wethers made 35/- to 36/-, good quality 32/6 to 33/6, medium 29/- to 30/-, light and unfinished 25/- to 27/-; good quality shorn wethers 26/- to 28/-, medium 24/- to 25/-, lightweights 20/to 21/6; good quality young woolly ewes 30/- to 31/9; heavy woolly ewes 28/to 30/-, medium 24/- to 26/-, unfinished 20/- to 22/-, inferior 17/- to 18/-; prime young shorn ewes 22/— to 23/-, good quality 19/- to 21/-, medium 16/6 to 17/6, aged 13/- to 15/-; fat lambs, 24/- up to 30/- for prime. A substantial entry of store cattle was penned and except for yearling cattle the demand was rather better than a week ago. Best three-year-old steers realized up to £lO, others from £B/10/- to £9/15/-. Two-year-old steers made from £6/10/- to £7/7/6, yearling steers from £3/15/- to £4/15/-. Good empty cows, made up to £6/7/6, others from £4/15/- to £5/15/- Empty heifers brought up to £6/5/-. There was a poor selection in the dairy section. Good guaranteed sorts sold well, the best of these bringing up to £lO, others £6/10/- to £8; cull sorts down to £4/10/-. There was a big yarding of bulls. The demand for these was poor. Best sorts made from £B/8/- to £lO/10/-, but the bulk of the yarding sold at, from £5 to £7, with indifferently-bred beasts making down to £4.