STOCK MARKET REVIEW

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1935, Page 11

STOCK MARKET REVIEW

ACTIVITIES IN TARANAKI * little alteration in values. BEEF MARKET PROSPECTS GOOD. Newton King Ltd. reports that , stock busines in general continues without much alteration in values. The desire to purchase has been somewhat checked by the want of feed, and until the winter is further advanced little appreciation in values for grazing classes can be expected. This may also apply to dairy cattle. There is a reasonably keen demand for the classes offering in the store cattle section, but as oddments are the order of the day the exact strength of the market is difficult to assess. At the moment the beef market as far as local requirements are concerned suggests an advance on existing rates before the winter is far advanced; large quantities have been absorbed by works buyers during the past few weeks, and although an easing in operations is now the order no detriment to values should be occasioned, as supply and demand will be the governing feature for the next few weeks, and in this regard the present position suggests higher values. Quotations for local consumption of the best Polled Angus and Hereford cows and heifers range from £5 5s to £6 10s, some holders quoting on a forward delivery basis at up to £7. At auction the markets have become somewhat bare, and the depletion of the good supply of fats from the dairy that has been available until a week or so back further encourages the future outlook. As far as the fat sheep section is concerned it cannot be said that it enjoys a confident tone. Values have a tendency to ease, and with little or no business outside fat hoggets being done by exporters, holders have to rely on local demand for an outlet for their supplies. Fat ewes are available in good numbers at from 16s 6d to 17s 6d, while wethers sell at from 22s to 245, some holders who are more optimistic concerning the future quoting as high as 265. In reviewing the business done by private treaty during the week, it has to be admitted that a general easing is the order. Few sheep have changed hands, and the majority of trade has been confined to the dairy cattle section. In the latter branch a reasonably good demand continues for good quality young early calvers, cows, if anything, being the most popular. Sales since the last report include a herd of 30 good quality young Jersey cows at £6, while a further line of 20 average sorts changed hands at £4 12s 6d. In the heifer section sales include a number of tpuck lots of average to good cattle at from £4 10s to £5 10s, while a line of 40 smaller heifers of average quality and not in the best condition was sold at £3 ss. Generally speaking the quality, size and condition of the offerings at auction in this section leave a lot to be desired, and only where well-cared-for animals are displayed are prices in any way remunerative to holders. Now that the cleaning sale season is almost completed a better demand for heifers may be expected, and those holding later calvers that have been well cared for should have little difficulty in disposing of their, holdings. Auction business in the store cattle section has in the main been confined to oddments from the dairy, which has been supplemented by fair entries of yearling and two-year empty Jersey heifers. The demand for both these classes is strong to a point, but only cattle of good quality are sought. The popularity of the three-year-old springing heifer has accounted for further inquiry for two-year empty cattle, but few genuine lines are available, and as a result the oddments that come under the hammer are subject to spirited bidding, those displaying quality making from £2 to £2 ss, while others change hands at from £1 10s tq £1 15s.

Inquiry for top quality yearling Jersey heifers is difficult to satisfy, for reason that few cattle in keeping with purchasers’ ideas of quality and size are available; however, when a number of the lines display a little more bloom requirements should be more easily satisfied. Occasional entries of average to good quality cattle are submitted at auction, and from £1 15s to £1 17s is the order. The majority of the entries, however, consist of the lesser-bred to inferior and these are dull of sale, from 12s 6d to 22s 6d being a range of realisations.

While the business with store sheep during the week has been negligible, there is strong inquiry for both in-lamb ewes and hoggets, but the limited nature of quotations hinders trade, especially with regard to hoggets. *• The results of clearing sales clearly indicate the strong demand that is in evidence for good quality young cows. At Mr. A. E. Spratt’s sale at Normanby on Monday the cattle came forward in good condition, and a very spirited sale resulted. The herd averaged £6 5s 9d. Good quality young cows at the drop made from £8 to £lO 2s 6d, others displaying lesser quality £5 10s to £6 15s, later and rougher sorts £4 10s to £5, dairy heifers of good quality £6 . 10s, average sorts £5, weaner Jersey heifers from the herd £2 2s. A six-year farm mare realised £4O 10s, while hoggets made from £5 to £B. At Mr. G. H. Miers’ sale at Pungarehu the cows came forward in condition which reflected credit on the vendor, and one of the brightest sales that has been conducted this season resulted, an average of £5 6s for the herd being obtained. The entry at the Urenui sale on Monday last included a consignment of one hundred Polled Angus cattle offered on behalf of McEldowney Bros., Uruti. All classes were subject to keen bidding, and the following realisations were obtained: 34-year steers £5 4s, 3-year cattle £4 7s, steers £3 2s 6d to £3 18s, mixed coloured 34-year steers £4 Bs, in-calf P.A. cows £3, rising 3-year P.A. heifers in-calf £3 Is. An average yarding of yearling heifers was also penned, those displaying quality • making to £1 15s, while smaller and lesser-bred cattle made from 19s to 245. Two-year empty heifers were also in keen demand, the best making from £1 17s to £1 19s, while rougher sorts mad from £1 5s to £1 12s 6d. Other entries in the store cattle section sold at late rates. At the Stratford sale on Tuesday a good entry of store cattle came forward, which included a fair number of meaty works cows, and butchers’ sorts, which met keen competition. Fat cows ex the dairy made to £4 15s, meaty works cows £2 to £2 16s, good-framed lighter-con-ditioned sorts £1 15s, others £1 5s to £1 Bs, hold-over cows and empty heifers £1 15s to £1 18s, weaner Jersey heifers £1 14s to £1 17s 6d/ fat ewes at 16s. The entry in the dairy pens included two herds, supplemented by a good entry from other vendors, and over all the class was not. above the average and only good cattle met a strong demand, values for these being well up to expectations. Good, young calver Jersey cows made from £5 5s to £5 15s, medium £3 to £4 10s, calved three-year heifers £4 10s to £5 ss, springing heifers, good, to £5 10s, others £3 10s' to £4 ss, good cows close to profit £5 15s, medium sorts £3 to £4 10s, others £2 to £2 10s. At the Inglewood sale on Wednesday a good entry of yearling Jersey heifers came forward, and while the quality was not the best, the- whole entry met good competition. Average to good quality cattle made to 375, cattle of similar qual-

ity but a little smaller £1 12s, lesserbred £1 3s to £1 5s 6d, hold-over heifers Us to 17s. An average entry of sheep was also handled at the sale, all clashes meeting good competition. Full-mouth ewes mated to Southdown ram made from £1 3s to £1 4s, fat hoggets 19s to 20s 2d, medium ewe hoggets 18s, average wether hoggets 14s 4d, smaller sorts 12s 3d to 13s 10a. The entry of works cattle sold on a par with late rates. A good entry was also handled in the dairy section at this sale, but competition was slow, and only catle in good condition well forward excited keen bidding. Good quality springing heifers made to £5 17s 6d, average sorts a little lighten condition £3 12s 6d to £4 12s 6d, others £2 to £2 7s 6d, good quality calved heifers a little light in condition £4 15s, medium £3 to £3 17s, inferior £2 7s 6d, good quality cows close to profit made from £5 17s 6d to £6 ss, medium £4 5s to £4 15s, later calvers and inferior sorts £2 to £3 ss. Offerings in the pig section have fallen off considerably in the past few weeks, not only in numbers but also in condition; however, where any good quality well-done pigs are submitted keen competition is the order and prices for choice weaners show a hardening tendency. This was the case at the New Plymouth Haymarket sale yesterday, when an average yarding was penned, choice weaners making from 14s 6d to 15s, others 12s to 13s. Light porkers were also in good demand and made from £1 9s to £1 12s 6d. Small stores sold from 20s to 235, while the best of the slip classes made from 17s 6d to 18s 6d, and others at 14s to . 16s.

CATTLE PRICES FIRMING

» BUSINESS OF SOME MAGNITUDE, PIG FAIR ATTRACTS INTEREST.

The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society of New Zealand Limited in its weekly review states that a further heavy week of trading has ensued. The weather has continued far from favourable, making conditions everywhere unpleasant. Feeding out is in full swing everywhere, and the benefit of the favourable autumn experienced is being felt. Stock and pastures everywhere are looking surprisingly well considering everything. Values of both butter and cheese have continued firm on those ruling in the last report, with indications of a further rise in butter values mooted. This has to a certain extent been responsible for the firming in values of dairy stock during the past few weeks. Values of all classes of fat stock remain firm on those last reported. Smithfield quotations show a slight easing with as yet no restriction on local values. Since the last report the firm has disposed of numerous trucks of fat ewes at from 17s to 17s 6d and fat wethers at from 22s 6d to 23s 6d. Fat cattle continue to harden in value and indications point to an even further rise at an early date. Best prime fat heifers are quoted at £6 10s to £7, and best prime fat cows at £5 10s to £6. Several truck lots were sold at the above figure. Although a keen demand is evident for ewes mated to S.D. rams, quotations in many cases are inclined to be above would-be purchasers’ ideas of value, with business accordingly difficult enough to transact. Since last reporting, sales include 200 6-year ewes at 225, with 100 6-year ewes at 23s 6d. Quotations of good ewe hoggets x - ange from 24s to 255, with a keen inquiry existing. . Quotations of wether hoggets remain limited at from 15s to 15s 6d. A keen inquiry exists for store station cattle with quotations very limited, holders in many cases expecting a further rise. ■ Business in the dairy stock section constitutes the bulk of trade at this time of the year, and business of some magnitude has been transacted by private treaty and clearing sales. A line of 101 very good quality young • dairy cows comprising two herds was sold at an average of £5 15s. Top heifers continue to find favour, sales including 15 good 2-year heifers at £5 ss, 20 2-year heifers at £5 10s, 20 3-year heifers at £5, 26 2-year heifers at £4 7s 6d, and numerous trucks and. smaller lines at from £5 to £5 15$. Weaner calves continue to be in demand with a scarcity of really top cattle being apparent. Sales to a southern buyer include a line of 44, comprising cattle,at from £2 2s to £3, the latter being exceptional for size, type and condition. Other gales include 20 small quality cattle at 30s. Sales at all centres have drawn large yardings with satisfactory sales. A medium yarding of cattle came forward to the Opunake sale on Monday, including several lines of dairy heifers. Bidding throughout the sale was of a brisk nature, and a total clearance under the hammer resulted. Realisations were: Fat cows £3 12s 6d, £4, £5 15s to £6; paddock cows £2 15s, £3, £3 6s to £3 10s; works cows 30s, 325, 35s to £2; boners 10s, £1 to £1 Is; dairy heifers £3, £3 ss, £3 15s, £4 ss, £4 10s to £5 ss; store pigs 7s 6d, Ils 9d, 14s to 17s.

The Urenui sale on Monday drew an average yarding of all classes of stock, and a total clearance under the hammer was effected at late ruling prices. Realisations were: Fattening cows to £3 12s, paddock cows to £2 12s, lighter sorts £1 14s to £1 18s, boners 17s to £l, dairy heifers to £4.

A fair yarding of store cattle came forward to the Kakaramea sale on Monday and a satisfactory sale resulted in the whole offering being disposed of at late rates.

Mr. R. A. Hughes’ clearing sale at Kakaramea yards on Monday was held under most adverse conditions, 50 dairy cows coming forward in fair condition and averaging £3 15s. Young early calvers were keenly sought, the first 20 averaging £5 10s, but late and backward sorts met a “sticky” sale. Realisations were £4 10s, £5, £5 15s, £6, £6 ss, £6 10s to £6 15s, backward sorts £2 10s, £3, £3 15s to £4. At the Manaia yards on July 9 a clearing sale was held on account of Mr. Fred Reardon. An offering of 100 dairy cows came foiward in splendid condition and met a ready sale from a keen bench of buyers. Anything close to. profit was in keen demand, but backward sorts were not wanted and were passed. Of the 100 cows offered 80 changed hands under the hammer at. an average price of £5. Realisations were: Dairy cows close to profit £5, £5 10s, £6, £6 15s, £7 to £7 ss; calved cows £5 10s, £6 ss, £6 15s, £7, £7 5s to £7 15s; dairy heifers close to profit £4 10s, £4 15s, £5, £5 ss, £5 10s, £5 15s; calved heifers £5, £5 10s, £6, £6 ss, £6 10s. At the Manaia sale on July 9 a large yarding of all classes of cattle came forward for auction. As works’ prices were down, prices were not up to the usual standard. Realisations were: Fat cows £4 3s, £4 5s to £4 12s 6d; paddock cows £2 ss, £2 10s, £3,'£3 3s to £3 10s; works cows £1 7s 6d, £1 10s, £1 15s, £1 19s to £2; boner cows 10s, 15s, £1 to £1 15s; bulls to £3 2s. In the pig section weaners changed hands at prices ranging to 16s 6d, stores 6s, Bs, 14s to 18s 6d; porkers to 235.

The Hawera pedigree pig fair held at the Glover Road saleyards on Wednesday attracted keen interest from Waverley to Stratford. The entry of about 70 Tamworth and Berkshire sows and .. rs came forward in first-class order and met a ready sale from a large bench of buyers. .Sows to farrow were in especially keen demand, Mr. H. J. Foreman’s entry of four realising B.?gns., B.}gns., gns. and 6Agns., with one sow on behalf of Mr. F. Ogle changing hands at 6}gns. The maiden sows on behalf of the latter vendor realised 6gns., with Mr. W. P.

Parsons’ entry of maiden sows realising , 7gns., 6igns. and sgns, Mr. J. H. Burgham’s entry of three sows to farrow came forward in attractive order and met keen competition, these pigs Anally being knocked down at Bgns,, 7gns. and GJgns. respectively. Mr, H, Parsons’ entry of maiden sows changed hands at 4ghs. apd 3|gns. in-and-out sale, only the very best being competed for. Mr. Foreman topped the sale with two boars at Bgns and 7gns respectively, Mr. F. Ogle’s entry realising 5, 42 and 44gns. with Mr. W. P. Parsons’ entry realising 4gns., 4gns. and Signs. Berkshire boars on account of Mr. H, Parsons sold at up to Signs. The sale was held in the Arm’s new pig yards,many eulogistic remarks being heard about the yards and the expeditious handling of the pigs. A large yarding of cattle came forward, ir the dairy section, most of which were in good condition and well forward. They were keenly sought after, and 89 were cleared under the hammer. A particularly good line of springing ’and calved heifers on account of Mr. K. C. Duckworth was cleared at an average of £6 6s, and another particularly good line on account of Mr. J. Pease realised an average of £6 2s. Springing heifers (well forward) changed hands at £3 15s, £4, £5, £6 10s to £7 15s; calved heifers £4 ss, £5, £5 10s, £6 5s to £7 15s; springing heifers (late calvers) £2, £2 10s, £3 10s to £3 15s; dairy COWS (close to profit) £4 ss, £4 15s, £5 15s, £6 ss, £7, £7 10s to £B. A medium yarding of pigs came forward and a total clearance was effected under the hammer. Realisations were: Weaners to 14s, stores Ils 6d, 14s to 19s 6d, porkers £1 3s, £1 5s 6d to £1 16s.