STOCK MARKET REVIEW

Southland Times, Issue 24437, 17 May 1941, Page 10

STOCK MARKET REVIEW

FAT CATTLE PRICES EASIER Last week’s recovery in beef prices was not maintained at Lorneville this week and there was again an easing tendency in the market. Good quality fat cattle were only slightly easier than at the previous sale. The yarding was smaller and it was expected that competition from freezing buyers might stimulate the market since the killing of beef began at Makarewa on Monday, but there was no improvement in values. Fat cows were at least £1 a head cheaper, while other classes of cattle of the better qualities were only slightly easier. At Burnside on Wednesday, a large yarding of fat cattle met with the limited demand and prices fell from 10/- to 15/- a head. The Addington yarding this week was considerably smaller than for several weeks and there was a keen demand, prices being up to £1 a head firmer. One truck lot of eight Southland steers sold at from £l5/2/6 to £l9/17/6 (for one), and another eight from the same province at from £l4/17/6 to £l7/17/6.

Following is the range of prices at Lorneville:—Good quality bullocks from £l2 to £l3; medium, £lO/15/to £ll/10/-; lightweights, £9/10/- to £lO/5/-; fair quality cows, £B/10/- to £9/10/-; medium. £6/15/- to £7/10/-; inferior, £4 to £5/10/-; handyweight heifers, £9/5/- to £10; lightweights, £7/10/- to £B/10/-. STORE CATTLE Store cattle have been coming forward freely and at this week’s sale the entry in this section was treble that of fat cattle. There was an improved inquiry by farmers with good grazing reserves for the winter and prices were slightly better than before. Good quality bullocks in forward condition were in keen demand at firm prices ranging up to £9 with younger steers at proportionate rates, according to age, and steer calves up to £4/6/-. Dairy cows at profit, or close to profit for winter milking, brought' high prices, but factory calvers were not in demand. Little variation was noted in the values of fat sheep at Lorneville this week, but all classes were firm compared with the previous week. The entry was small and consisted mainly of ewes. A large entry of fat sheep of all classes was offered at Burnside and prices fell sharply, but at Addington there, was a smaller entry and the market had a rising tendency. Lorneville prices were as follows:—Freezing ewes from 11/- to 15/-; heavy butchers’ ewes, 12/6 to 14/-; medium quality 10/- to 11/6; good quality wethers 25/6 to 27/-; medium 23/- to 24/-; unfinished 18/- to 20/-.