AN OFF-DAY AT WESTFIELD MARKET

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 119, 10 August 1927, Page 13

AN OFF-DAY AT WESTFIELD MARKET

POOR QUALITY CATTLE SHEEP MAKE BIG MONEY To-day was an off-day at Westfield. Both sheep and cattle were short yarded and the quality generally was poor. In most cases it appeared as if sellers were cleaning up lines and had only sent in the tail ends. Generally the yarding of cattle was the most disreputable seen for many weeks. Though several districts in the province were represented, there was practically not 'one really choice prime, well-finished line. All showed signs of the winter. A large percentage of the offering comprised unfinished light-framed dairy sorts, and many just passed the grader’s requirements. In the aggregate, there could not have been many more than 600 beasts in the yard. It took Opotiki graziers to top the market. A line of big-framed beasts that mostly showed signs of the journey, and coLild have done with considerably more finish, sold on account of Black Bros., of that district, made to £ls. Prices all round were practically on a par with those ruling last week, though in isolated instances values were slightly firmer. As stated, there were no extra choice lines. Big-framed prime bullocks sold to £ls. A line of Polled Angus steers, not extra big of frame, but in good condition, made to £9 15s. Big-framed prime cows showing dairy strains made to £8 10s. Other lighter-framed, medium prime dairy sorts of cows made to £7. Light unfinished cows made to £5 15s. Few decent heifers came forward and not many made over £6. Anything of at all good quality drew good competition to see sales firm at last week’s values. MIXED LOT OF CALVES A mixed assortment of calves filled the veal pens, calves from a few hours to several months old coming forward. The yarding was almost up to last week’s aggregate, and prices, thoLigh generally firm at late quotations, tended to be irregular. Operators in the boneless veal trade were not buying, and. bidding was maintained between the butchers, and buyers of the rougher and more immature sorts for skinning and boiling-down purposes. The profit in nourishing a calf well for six to eight weeks before placing it on the market was indicated in today’s market, when prime vealers of that age made over 30s. W. H. Carter, of Mangere, got the biggest price of the day, a runner sold on his account making £ 6 ss. Heavy matured vealers made to £4. Mediumweight prime vealers made from £2 15s to £3 ss. Rough calves made from 21s to 325. Small and fresh-dropped made from 3s to 225.