LIVESTOCK MARKETS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1935, Page 14

LIVESTOCK MARKETS

WESTFIELD TONE BRIGHT FAT STOCK DEMAND MAINTAINED. YARDING BELOW AVERAGE. Auckland, Nov. 6. There was a very bright tone in all sections at the Westfield sale to-day, the recent demand for fat stock being well maintained. Yardings of all but pigs were again below average, and prices remained firm at late rates, with an improvement in several cases. The yarding of cattle was again a small one, with barely 600 head in the market. The quality of the steers was good, and competition . was keen, with values very firm on those of a week ago. Cows and heifers were of mixed quality, but current rates ruled for all wellfinished sorts. The pick of the cattle offered was a line of 25 show bullocks, all of which were prize-winners at the recent Gisborne show. The offering comprised one of the best seen at Westfield for a considerable time, the majority having been judged as highly suited for the export trade. These sold under brisk competition at from £lO 5s to £l5. Extra choice ox beef made 34s a 1001 b, choice and prime, 30s to 335; secondary and plain, 24s to 295; prime young cow and heifer beef, 30s to 335; ordinary cow beef, 22s to 295. Extra heavy prime steers made £l4 2s 6d to £l5 2s . 6d; heavy prime, £l3 to £l4; medium prime, £ll to £l2 15s; light prime, £9 7s 6d to £lO 15s; small and unfinished, £5 10s to £9 ss; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £9 to £lO 17s 6d; heavy prime, £7 10s to £8 15s; lighter prime, £6 to £7 ss; other killable cows, £3 to £5 15s. There was no slackening in the recent demand for calves, which were penned in about average numbers. Competition for all classes was very keen, and values were firm at late rates, with an improved sale for bobby calves, which are now less plentiful. Genuine run sorts were still short, farmers preferring to keep them rather than to pay the ruling high prices for store cattle. An optimistic view of the future of the beef trade for export is also keeping calves off the market, while high prices for spring lambs are. a strengthening factor. Runners made 58s to 130 s; vealers, 47s to 84s. Sheep were again in short supply, influenced to some extent by the delay in shearing operations due to broken weather. The yarding included a number of well-finished lines for which competition was brisk. Buyers were active and a free sale brought an improvement in wether prices, while prime ewes were fully firm at late rates. Only 230 spring lambs were offered, and butchers competed keenly for the offering, keeping values well up to those ruling through the recent short yardings. Wethers, prime, 24s to 30s; unfinished, 15s 9d to 235; ewes, prime, 18s to 24s 6d; unfinished, 5s to 17s 9d; hoggets, prime, 20s to 255; unfinished, 17s 6d to 19s 9d; spring lambs, prime, 22s to 33s 6d; others, 19s to 21s. The largest yarding of pigs since last season was an indication of more abundant dairy by-products. The recent advances in schedule rates made for a stronger market for porkers, which were also being bought extensively for carrying on to the baconer stage. Price levels showed an improvement, good baconers and lighter porkers benefiting most. Store pigs, which were more plentiful, were also in demand, and a satisfactory sale resulted. Baconers, 51s to 655; porkers, 34s to 465; large stores, 22s to 30s. Prices per lb, baconers, 5d to 5Jd; porkers, sld to s£d.