EASING IN FAT SHEEP

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1935, Page 11

EASING IN FAT SHEEP

OPTIMISM FOR FAT CATTLE. DEMAND FOR IN-LAMB EWES. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd. ? reports that values for fat ewes and wethers have eased during the week consequent upon Very heavy supplies being quoted and in some cases yarded at the sales. Evidently there is a very large number of ewes and wethers being held and until these have been cleared, prices are bound to remain at about their present level. Reports from outside districts disclose a similar state of affairs with an easing of values. A few consignments of fat lambs are still being received each week, but the numbers are not large. The schedule prices for lambs' has been advanced id for all grades during the week. ' For fat cattle a slight rise in price has been noticed during the week and holders of fats are very optimistic of the future and it appears that stocks will be firmly held from now on. All classes £>f beef are in very good demand and this also applies to fat cows ex the dairies. Practically the only class of store sheep that is in keen demand is the in-lamb ewe. There is a really good demand for these and it is difficult to get enough quotations to satisfy the demand. Store lambs are saleable, but at very nominal prices and the same applies to. store wethers.

In sympathy with the firmness of beef prices store 'cattle are also selling well. Yardings chiefly comprise cull and boner cows ex the dairies and the works are absorbing these as quickly as they come upon the market. A few inquiries have been received for forward conditioned station cattle and a little business has been passing in these. Very little inquiry is coming to hand for weaner heifers. Most of the best of the weaners. have been picked . out and sold and it is now difficult to put together a good line. Considerable numbers of dairy heifers have been sold lately, chiefly to go outside the province, and with delivery about the end of June. Prices range from £3/ 15s to £6 for special lots. Buying will slow down a little As the clearing Saleseason is on and it is difficult to forecase what outside requirements will be from now on.

< A large number of dairy Cows has been sold for forward delivery, but this class of business usually stops while the clearing sales are being held. Prices paid have been practically up to last year’s level.

Pig yardings are very small and the demand is chiefly for weaners and small stores for holding over purposes. At the horse fair last Saturday a good yarding came forward, composed chiefly of young unbroken sorts. There was a very large attendance of the public from

all parts of Taranaki, but bidding was quiet for unbroken horses. Broken horses were in very keen demand and prices realised must be considered very satisfactory all round. Broken horses realised from £35 to £B4 and unbroken from £25 to £35.