TARANAKi STOCK MARKET

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1930, Page 7

TARANAKi STOCK MARKET

FURTHER WEAKNESS EVIDENT.

■ LITTLE BUSINESS IN PADDGOK. Newton- King, Ltd., report for the week as follows:— A further weakening in the stock market has occurred during the week and little business other than under the hammer can be reported. Export values for mutton have receded and the deeline\of lid per pound for lambs will perhaps result in a number of those who were not successful in- obtaining the opening figure holding their supplies in the hope of counter-balancing by extra weight. A further decline in beef values of all grades has been displayed and \yitli the unsteadiness butchers’ operations are restricted to immediate requirements, and these are being filled at the fgollowing rates: Best fat bullocks £l2 10s to £l3; lighter £lO 10s to £ll 10s; heavy ’fat cows and heifers £9 ids; lighter £7 10s to £8 10s; young, lightweight Jersey cross sorts £G 10s to £7.

Mutton prices have also suffered a decline and for local consumption, generally speaking, are little in advance of export figures. Fat wethers are more plentiful than ewes, and most of requirements are filled from the male class, although a fair percentage of ewes is being absorbed. As yet works buyers are not keen on either class and butchers’ requirements are being filled at the following) rates: Best wethers 18s 6d, lighter 17s, heavy fat ewes 13s fid, others 12s. Business in store sheep is practically nil and with shearing operations ih full ewing little business is expected until the New Year. Quotations Of ewes for sale on a forward delivery basis are fairly • frequent blit the majority of these are in excess of prospective buyers’ ideas of .values and, as stated in the last report, it is anticipated thht the greater number of requirements will be filled at the fairs to be held, at the latter part of January and early February. Store wethers off the shears are quoted in fair numbers at/from 14s fid to 15s for 4-tooths arid 12s to 13S for 2-tooths. Oddments continue to constitute the bulk of the yardings in store cattle and little interest is displayed in quotations of station lines for sale through private treaty. Works buyers are operating fairly freely under the hammer, but a reduction in prices has been noticeable. . Values for meaty sorts of cows range from £3 to £3 10s, while lighter-conditioned sorts arid boners range from £1 10s to £2 ss. Paddock cows are offering in good , numbers blit the. reduction in beef values has had its effect on this class and prices for best sorts range from £4 10s to £4 17s Cd, while others realise from £3 to / £3 15s, Fifteen months heifers have lost favour and most holders have mated their cattle, which is resulting in few of size being yarded. .Smaller sorts for December 1 niatino- are offering, in fail’ firimbers, but S’-yers are not plentiful an<j good quality sorts change hands at from £3 15s to £4 ss, while mixed coloured sorts are hard to quit. The demand ih the dairy section is very weak, and it is only on rare occasions that double figures are obtained under the hammer. Generally speaking little interest is displayed in this department. Prices obtained during the week for the small offerings have ranged from £8 to £9 for top quality heifers, while others realised from £5 to £7.

The shortness of supplies at the New Plymouth haymarket sale on Friday resulted in pigs selling at advanced rates and keen competition was in evidence for the small entry offered. Best weaners made from 24a to 24s 6d, others 17s to 18s fid, small 14s ■ 6d, porkers 37 s fid.