ADDINGTON MARKET

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 2

ADDINGTON MARKET

INCREASED COMPETITION FOR FAT LAMBS (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. The opening of the freezing season increased the competition for fat lambs and sheep at Addington today, but only a limited proportion of the entry was within the buying schedule of the freezing works representatives. Fat Sheep—The entry was about 5000. Because of the possibility of a smaller offering than usual at the double market next week, butchers bought liberally today. Extra prime wethers made to 38/4, prime 30/- to 34/-, prime medium 27/- to 29/- and light 24/to 26/6; extra prime young ewes to 29/-, prime aged ewes 21/- to 25/-, prime medium weight 17/6 to 21/6 and light 14/- to 16/6. Fat Lambs—The entry totalled 2000, compared with 1042 last week. The quality was better than at the opening of the export season for some years. Generally the market was not up to last week’s level, but it was above export parity by 1/6 to 2/-, butchers taking the greater part. A proportion of the lightweights went to the export trade. Heavy lambs made 35/7 to 37/7, prime 29/1 to 34/10 and medium and light 24/4 to 27/10. Store Sheep—The entry was about 1400, comprising 488 hoggets, 350 ewes and lambs, 162 ewes and 200 wethers. The sale was a shade better than it was last week. It was obvious that the plentiful feed supply is restricting entries. The demand was not fully satisfied in any class. Best wether hoggets made 24/- to 25/9, medium to good 17/6 to 21/-, woolly ewes with lambs 20/9 to 23/6 and medium to 18/-. Shorn ewes and lambs made 16/-. Fat Cattle—The entry was 536, compared with 566 last week. Quality was not up to the usual high standard. The market opened slightly easier than last week and this tendency developed as the sale progressed for indifferently finished steers. Cows, of which there was a good quality fjisplay, were also easier in price. Extra- prime heavy and medium weights about maintained last week’s levels. Best beef made 44/- to 46/per 1001 b, good, including heavy, 39/- to 42/6 and secondary 33/- to 35/-. Fat Pigs—The entry of porkers was the largest so far this season and practically the whole of it consisted of good quality exportable pigs. Values were a shade firmer over the first half of the auction. The baconer entry was also large and although the sale was a good one values were at times erratic. The average price per lb was B%d to 9d.