BEEF PRICES EASIER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 664, 16 May 1929, Page 10

BEEF PRICES EASIER

N.Z. STOCK MARKETS FIRM PRICES FOR SHEEP By R.W.C. For the second week in succession, exceptionally heavy yardings of beef have come forward to Westfield to meet with a falling market. An aggregate yarding of approximately 900 fat cattle at Westfield yesterday met a market 1s to 2s a hundred below last week’s easier rates. On yesterday’s levels of Lip to 26s for best ox and up to 32s for best young cow and heifer oeef, export buyers were enabled to operate with considerably greater freedom, and, when the sale closed, had a comparatively heavy list of purchases on tlieir hooks. The quality of the steer offering was good, medium to heavy prime cattle predominating. There was the usual percentage of light-weight cattle in the yarding, mostly drawn from Northern graziers. Top price was received for a line of exceptionally heavy prime Herefords sold on account of the Waikato vendor who topped the. market last week. Among the' vendors with choice quality medium to heavy-weight cattle forward were: Thomson and Ernest, Whakatane; J. H. Hough tan, Waimauku: R. C. Morgan, Matamata; 11. E. Reed, Waerenga: Mrs. Main, Tamahere: H. E. Vaile, Rotorua: ID. McCracken; Bell’s Estate. Pokeno; j \ Corbett. Hikutaia. Sheep Market Firm The sheep offering was a mixed one, and not quite up to the high quality standard set last week. The market was very firm at last week's rates. A small pen of seven big-framed heavy prime wethers on account of a Helensville client made up to 39s 9d. Very choice prime wethers on account G. Vosper, Cambridge, made to 39s Sd: the toins going to Lees and Company, Otahuhu. Heavy prime wethers on account Bell’s Estate, Pokeno, made to 38s. Exceptionally choice prinje big-framed ewes on account of a Waikato vendor made to 355, the lops going to R. S. Magill, Symonds Street. The market throughout was very firm and, although last week's top prices were not reached, it was because the quality and weight of the sheep was not quite the same. In the veal pens there was a considerable increase in station lines of heavy prime vealers and runners for-

ward. As a result, there was a slight over-supply and prices were a little easier. Lambs were yarded in average numbers and sold at late rates. Shortage of Fat Sheep The heavy yardings of beef at the last two Westfield sales is a sure enough indication that there is npt likely to be an acute shortage, such as was predicted in certain quarter's, within the near future. Tire cattle are in the province and, with the winter coming on, graziers. in many instances, are compelled to meet the market. On the lower levels the export buyers have been able to operate and, apart from purchases made in the saleyards, odd lines have picked up around the province during the past week or so for consignment to Westfield works. The position in regard to fat sheep is not quite so satisfactory from the buyer’s point of view. There does not appear to be the surplus in the country that could be desired at this time pf the year, and, with the high prices that have been paid for stores, in many instances it does not pay the grazier to quit on present levels, comparatively high though they may be. An easing tendency in the mutton market over the next month or so would be most unexpected. Johnsonville Market Firm

In spite of the inclement weather tn ere Avas the usual attendance of buyers at the Johnsonville (Wellington) stock sale yesterday. Competition for all classes of stock was good. The bullocks offered were the best quality cattle submitted at Johnsonville for sonie years, comprising mostly real prime heavy-weight cattle, with a few pens of lighter, but prime. sorts. There were no cows or vealers. Prices were:—Bullocks, extra heavy, i? S t( ? 72s 6d; heavy, £ls to £.15 Its 6d; medium-weight, £l4 to £l4 Ids; light, £l2 15s to £l3 12s bd. Ewes, heavy, 27s to 28s 6d: light. 22s 6d to 23s 9d. Lambs, 23s to 25s 6d. Small Entry at Stortford Lodge Heavy rain caused small entries in I all sections at the weekly Stortford Lodge (Hastings) sale yesterday. I rices held on a par with late rates. .b at bullocks made £l2 to £ls 10s; fat cows £7 to £lO ss; fat heifers, £8 10s to £lO 17s 6d: weaner steers, £6; fat ewes, 23s to 28s 6d: 5-year ewes, in lamb, 23s to 28s 6d; ewe lambs, 225. Addington Market Slightly heavier entries came forward to most sections at Addington yesterday. Entries in the store sheep section were lighter. Prices for good sheep held firm at lute rates, but the market for inferior sorts Avas easier Fat lambs met with a brisk sale, prices showing a slight advance. Extra heavy lambs mad© to 34s Id; prime, 30s to •»3s; medium, 2Ss to 30s; light, 25s 9d to 27s 9d; store, 22s to 255. a heavy entry of fat sheep met with a steady demand. Extra prime wethers made to 37s Id prime wethers, 33s to ous; medium wethers, 29s 6d to 32s bd; light Avethers, 26s to 295; extra prime ewes, to 34s lOd; prime ewes, 29s to 31s 6d; medium ewes, 24s to 31s 6d; light ewes, 20s to 235; aged ewes, 15s to 19s. An entry of 508 head of fat cattle sold at last week s rates. Good beef made 42s 6d to 45s per 1001 b; extra good, to 475; medium quality, 37s 6d to 40s; heavy, 37s to 41s; good cow, 35s to 395; plain heavy cows, to 32s 6d; rough, doAvn to 27s 6d; extra prime neavy steers, to £2O 2s 6d; prime heavy steers, £l7 10s to £l9 ss; med-ium-weight prime steers, £ls 10s to £l7 15s; medium-quality steers. £ll 15s to £ls; light steers, £9 10s to £ll 10s; extra prime heifers, to £ls 17s 6d; prime heifers, £l2 to £l4 ss; medium heifers, £lO to £ll 15s; light heifers, £6 to £9 10s; extra prime cows, to £l6 12s 6d; prime cows, £ll 5s 6d to £l3 10s; medium coavs, *£ 9 to £lO 15s; light coavs, £7 5s to £S 15s; aged cows, £6 to £7; yearling to 18- ! months calves sold to £ S 18s 6d; good I i vealers, £6 to £7 ss: medium, £ 4 to | £5 10s. Westfield Prices Prices at Westfield yesterday ranged | as follow: Cattle. —Exceptionally heavy prime j slioav steers, to £l7 10s; heavy prime to £l6 2s 6d; medium. £l2 17s 6d to, £l4; light and unfinished, from £8; heavy prime cows to £lO 32s 6d ; medium. £7 10s to £8 15s; light and unfinished, from £4 10s. Sheep.—Heavy prime wethers, to 39s 9d; medium prime, 34s 6d t.o 35s 9d; light and unfinished from 295; heavy prime ewes made to 355; medium, 28s 6d to 31s; light and unfinished, from 235. Lambs.—Extra prime, to 31s 3d; heavy prime, 26s to 28s 6d: medium, 23s to 25s 6d: light and unfinished, from 17s. Pigs.—Choppers sold from £2 to £3 19s: heavy and medium baconers, from £3 12s £4 6s: light baconers and j heavy porkers, from £3 to £3 10s; j medium porkers and light porkers. ( from £2 6s to £2 16s; small and un- : , finished porkers. £1 15s to £ 2 4s. Store j pigs sold at late quotations. Large ! stores brought £1 to £1 10s: slips. 12s j to 18s; weaners, 5s to 11s.