DEMAND FOR FAT STOCK

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1935, Page 16

DEMAND FOR FAT STOCK

FEATURE AT WESTFIELD OX BEEF MEETS COMPETITION. A SHARP ADVANCE FOR CALVES. GOOD SALE FOR LAMBS AND PIGS. Auckland, July 17. A good demand for all classes of fat stock was a feature of the Westfield sale yesterday. About 700 head of cattle were offered, one-third of the yarding being steers. The'quality of the ox beef was the best that has been seen at this sale for a considerable time. Competition was very keen and last week’s values were fully maintained. In some instances extra choice ox beef realised to 25s per 1001 b. Cows and heifers also sold well at current rates. Extra choice ox beef sold to 24s per 1001 b, choice and prime 20s to 235, secondary and plain 17s to 19s; prime young cow and heifer beef 19s to 235; other cow beef, Ils to 18s. Extra heavy prime steers made £lO to £lO 12s 6d, heavy prime, £9 to £9 17s 6d, lighter prime £7 17s 6d to £8 17s 6d, light prime £6 5s to £7 15s; small and unfinished £3 to £6 15s; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers £6 10s to £B, heavy prime £5 10s to £6 7s 6d, lighter prime £3 15s to £5 7s 6d, other killable cows £1 15s to £3 12s 6d. The number of calves penned was much below requirements, with the result that the demand was unusually brisk for all classes, especially for fat and young sorts. As a result of the shortage there was a sharp advance, all finished lines improving by fully 5s a head. Rough and unfinished sorts also benefited, while -bobby calves were firmer. Calves up to three weeks old sold exceptionally well, up to £1 being obtained for those showing a little condition. Runners made 40s to 1935, vealers 23s to 695. A good yarding of sheep included some of the best wethers offered for some time, while there were a number of pens of good quality ewes. Bidding ruled veryfree throughout for all prime sorts, and recent advanced prices for wethers were realised. Unfinished wethers were inclined to be dull of sale, while the demand for ewes tended to be less pronounced. These also were disposed of at about late rates. The offering of lambs was above the average for the time of the year. Competition was free and price levels for prime sorts remained unchanged, while rougher lambs were disposed of at satisfactory prices. Wethers, prime, made 23s to 30s, unfinished 17s to 22s 9d; ewes, prime, 16s 6d to 21s 9d; unfinished, 7s to 16s 3d; lambs, prime, 15s 6d to 255; unfinished, 10s 6d to 15s 3d.

Fat pigs came forward in increased numbers and buyers were active. A repetition of last week’s demand for porkers brought a further improvement in price levels, with the average per lb a fraction higher at from sfd to 6d. Baconers were very firm at late rates, being quoted unchanged at from 5d to 5Jd per lb. Although store pigs were offered in larger numbers the demand owing to the general increase in the milk supply was responsible for an advance in values, especially in the case of weaners. Baconers made 50s to 735, porkers 31s to 51s, large stores 20s to 265. AN ALL-ROUND INCREASE PRICES RISE AT ADDINGTON. FAT CATTLE IMPROVE BY 10s. Christchurch, July 17. Entries were of average size at today’s Addington market, and there was an all-round increase in values, all sections participating. The spell of fine weather, suggesting the turn of winter, possibly was the main cause. Store sheep: An average entry for winter and an advance for ewes and hoggets of Is 6d a head and for wethers of 2s. Ewe hoggets made to 24s 6d; s. and f.m. ewes, to 20s Bd, and two-tooth wethers to 22s 9d. Fat sheep: A slightly larger entry of 3800 head. A keen sale with good ewes and wethers higher by 2s and lighter sorts by Is 6d. Extra prime heavy wethers made to 32s 4d; pidme heavy, 27s 6d to 29s 6d; prime medium weight, 24s to 26s 6d; ordinary, 20s 6d to 23s 6d; light, to 20s; extra prime heavy ewes, to 29s Id; prime heavy, 22s to 245; prime, 17s 6d to 21s; ordinary, 14s 6d to 17s; light, to 14s. Fat cattle: 410 penned, 35 more than last week. An improved sale by a full 10s a head for good cattle. Best beef made from 24s to 26s 6d per 1001 b, in cases to 28s; heavy, 21s to 23s 6d; and ordinary, 15s to 20s. Extra prime heavy steers made to £l3 2s 6d; prime heavy, £8 15s to £lO 15s; prime medium weight, to £9 ss; others, £4 10s to £7; best heifers, £6 to £9 7s 6d; medium £4 5s to £5 15s; best cows, to £9 2s 6d; medium, £3 5s to £4 ss. Fat pigs: There was a shortage of finished porkers and a keen sale, prices advancing by a full farthing a pound. Light porkers made 24s to 30s; medium, 30s to 40s; heavy, to £2 Ils 6d; average price per lb, 5Jd to 6d. The entry of baconers was moderately sized with a keen demand. Prices realised were fully up to the best of last week’s rates. Light baconers made 37s 6d to £2 ss; medium, £2 5s 6d to £3; extra heavy, to £4; choppers, £2 18s 6d to £5 10s 6d; average price per lb, s{d to 5Jd. HEAVY ENTRY OF CATTLE STEADY SELLING AT HASTINGS. SLIGHT RISE IN EXPORT EWES. Hastings, July 17. A heavy entry of 511 fat cattle, comprising principally cows, came forward at to-day’s sale at Stortford Lodge, the quality of the offering being good generally,- with some prime heavy female beef included. Bullocks and heifers were offered in only moderate numbers, with most of this class of stock of medium quality. Selling was very steady throughout the sale, and with the exception of a few pens a total clearance was affected. Store cattle were unchanged, and in only moderate supply. Fat sheep were penned in average numbers, but prices showed no change with the exception of export ewes, which showed a slight advance. The store sheep were of better quality generally, but prices were unchanged with an easing in the demand for young sheep. Fat cattle: Bullocks, medium to prime, £7 10s to £9 18s; others, from £6 15s; cows, medium to prime heavy, £5 5s to £6 16s; others, from £3 6s; heifers, medium to prime, £5 10s to £7; others, from £3_los. Fat sheep: Ewes, medium to prime, 15s 3d to 17s 3d; others, from 12s Ed; wethers, medium to prime, 19s to 23s Id; lambs, to 22s 6d. Store sheep: Breeding ewes, two-tooths, to 275; four-year to five and six-year, to 265; wethers, to 17s 4d; wether hoggets, to 20s.