STOCK MARKET REVIEW

Southland Times, Issue 24419, 26 April 1941, Page 11

STOCK MARKET REVIEW

FAT CATTLE PRICES EASIER

Interest in store sheep sales has waned considerably during the last fortnight as most graziers have now bought all the ewes they require to carry through the winter. There are still fairly large numbers offering at country stock sales, but the sheep now available are mostly nondescript in quality and unattractive. Prices have been on a lower level with poor sheep hard to sell.

With the approach of winter, the I offerings of fat cattle have been larger as many farmers wish to reduce thenholdings to a normal winter level. The result has been a downward tone in the market and it is probable that values will remain easier for several weeks until offerings are steadier. In all the South Island markets this week there was a drop in values for fat cattle, the seasonal tendency being evident at all the main selling centres. It is unlikely that large numbers of cattle will be slaughtered for freezing in the South Island this season and the winter market may not have the stimulus it received last season of a shortage caused by heavy killings at the freezing works. At Lorneville on Tuesday values for good quality cattle were easier by about £1 a head and poor quality was difficult to sell even at a greater reduction. Similar reductions in prices occurred at Addington and Burnside. Lorneville values were as follows: Prime quality bullocks up to £l5/2/6, mediumweights £l2 to £l3, handyweights £lO to £lO/15/-, lightweights £B/10/- to £9/10/-, good quality handyweight heifers £9 to £9/15/—, lightweights £7/15/- to £B/10/-; good quality cows £8 to £B/15/-, medium £6 to £7, unfinished £5 to £5/10/-, inferior £l/10/- to £2/10/-. FAT SHEEP MARKET The fat sheep market at Lorneville was stimulated by the operations by freezing buyers, who have taken no interest in the sale for more than a month. The amended schedule rates offered permitted a substantial im-,

provement in values and ewes were at 5/- a head dearer. Wethers were not numerous and showed no change in value. Heavy entries of fat sheep resulted in lower values being paid at both Addington and Burnside. Lorneville prices were as follows: Extra good quality maiden ewes up to 24/6, prime quality 15/6 to 17/9, good 14/- to 15/-, medium 12/6 to 13/6, inferior 8/- to 10/-; prime quality wethers 27/- to 28/9, medium 25/- to 26/-, unfinished 21/- to 23/-.