LIVESTOCK MARKETS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 11

LIVESTOCK MARKETS

BUSINESS IN TARANAKI BEEF SECTION STILL FIRM. DAIRY PRODUCE PRICE EFFECT. Weather conditions during the week have been so unseasonable that they suggested the approach o£ winter, states the weekly market report of Newton King Ltd. The effect on returns from herds has been felt in all quarters of the district. Dairymen have also been discouraged by-a further rop markets for dairy produce, farmers would take some convincing that prices were likely to be stabilised at a satistoo, have suffered a check, m the advancement of their lambs, lack of warmth , and sunshine is undoubtedly responsible for the backwardness of flocks, and farmers general y would appreciate a spell of warm, dry conditions. Though no official announcement has been made locally regarding the export schedule for lamb, it is rumoured that Bid is the figure at which exporters are prepared to operate. When compared with that ruling in other centres this figure represents a greater discrepancy than usual, but possibly the desire of exporters not to operate locally on account of the small numbers yet available has occasioned the comparelively low figure, and when flocks are more advanced it would be no surprise to find the local schedule almost on a par with that ruling in other districts. A pleasing feature of the firm’s fortnightly sales has been the stronger competition for reject cows from works buyers. Fair yardings continue to be handled and, while graziers absorb the greater part of the younger section, seme appreciation in values all round has been noticeable as a result of this competition. At the Okau sale on Saturday a further test of the demand for station-bred cattle showed that the market had lost none of its buoyancy, and it can be said that values in some instances were in advance of expectations. The offering consisted of about 350 head. All classes enjoyed a share of the good inquiry, resulting in practically a total clearance under the hammer. Store three-year P.A. bullocks made to £6 19s, store P.A. cows 16s, Shorthorn and Hereford cross cows £4 4s to £4 15s, mixed coloured small-framed young cows £2 18s 6d to £3 12s 6d, store Shorthorn coWg £3 17s, 2-year P.A. heifers £4 15s, good-conditioned young Jersey cows £3 to £3 ss, lighter-conditioned sorts displaying frame £2 to £2 10s, older sorts £1 12s to £1 17s 6d, welldone yearling P.A, heifers £4 16s, Shorthorn and Hereford cross cows £4 4s to £4 15s, mixed-coloured small-framed young cows £2 18s 6d to £3 12s 6d, store Shorthorn'cows £3 17s, 2-year P.A. heifers £4 15s, good-conditioned young Jersey cows £3 to £3 ss, lighter-condi-tioned sorts displaying frame £2 to £2 10s, older, sorts £ll2s to £1 17s 6d, Welldone yearling P.A. heifers £4 16s, mixed coloured 2-ycr.r steers £4 7s to £4 16s, inferior-bred £2 15s to £3 13s, weedy weanfer Polled steers £2 7s to £3, 2year empty Jersey heifers £3, average quality yearling Jersey heifers, small, £2 Is to £2 2s 'd. . Private inquiry for well-bred cattle is also strong, as can be gauged from the sales completed by the'firm during the week. These include 106 3-year P.A. heifers at £5, 27 2-year P.A. steers at £5 7s 6d, 30 2-year P.A. steers at £5 1& 6d, 80 yearling P.A. heifers at £3 15s, 30 small to average yearling P.A. ..steers at £4 4s. The yearling Jersey heifer section displays a tendency to wane. However, only small numbers are offering arid the inquiry seems-sufficient to absorb them at existing levels. ■ While, the future of the governing features regarding the store sheep section are somewhat uncertain, there exists a strong inquiry for all classes, and, although some quotations suggest optimism by holders, trade of some magnitude continues but mostly on a forward delivery basis. The latest Sydney wool sales certainly encourage optimism and the opening sale in the Dominion which is pencilled to be held this month is anxiously awaited. From it it is hoped there will be some guide regarding local values. Perhaps the main contributing feature in the fulfilment of the better standard hoped for in regard to sales of breeding ewes will be the stability of the export schedule for both mutton and lamb, the fat ewe especially, in regard to sales of aged sheep. Some definite guide in tins direction woqld be appreciated on all hands. The firm reports the following sales since the last report: Three thousand five hundred 5-year ewes, for January delivery at prices ranging from 21s to 21s 6d; 1000 shorn mixed-sex lambs for January delivery at 18s; 1000 black-face lambs for January delivery at 20s; 350 2-tooth ewes for December delivery at 31s. The beef section continues to enjoy a firm market, and while a slight receding pan be observed for plain grades, values for first quality hold their_ ground reasonably well. At Stony River eale on Tuesday a line of 30 prime ’ averageweight bullocks offered on account of Mr. Charles Wells realised an average of £9 17s. The best made from £lO to £lO 3s while lighter sorts sold at £9 12s 6d. Sales of well-bred cattle by private treaty include truck lots of P.A. Here-, ford cows and heifers at from £7 12s 6d to £B. At auction the best of the Jersey and Jersey cross sorts sell at from £5 5s to £6, while lighter and plainer cattle realise from £3 15s to £4 10s. The fat sheep section is also reasonably firm, local competition accounting for the most of the supplies available. Shorn sheep are saleable at the following rates: Ewes 16s to 17s, wethers 23s 6d to 255. One line of good fat woolly ewes changed hands at 225, while prime woolly hoggets have been sold at from 25s to 27s 6d. x The lateness of the season is now having its reflection on dairy cattle values, and only good cattle in full milk or close to profit excite competition, lesser grades and backward sorts having depreciated in value. At Waiwakaiho on Thursday the yarding included g good entry of dairy cattle, Gopd-quality genuine young cows hi full milk sold under good competition, but backward and inferior classes were somewhat neglected. Good quality young cows in full milk made from £7 10g to £9 10s, average to good cattle £5 15g to £6 10s, others £2 10s to £3 7s 6d. An average entry of store cattle- was also penned at this fixture; reject cows ippet strong competition, resulting in a slight- appreciation, in value?- Light fat Jersey cows made £3 17s 6d to £4 15s; empty works cows £2 6s to £2 16s; good-framed young Jersey store cows £2 Is to £2 9s; others £1 10s to £1 18s; good quality yearling Jersey heifers a little small £2 14s to £2 15s; average quality hold-over heifers a little small £1 Ils 6d to £1 14s; fat shorn ewes ’7s; full and failing-mouth ewes with lambs at foot 30s 9d.

At Stony River gale on Tuesday an average entry was penned, a feature of the sale being improved competition for reject cows, Average weight fat cows ex the dairy made from £4 to £4 17s, killable £3 5s to £3 7s, forward young Jersey cross paddock cows £2 10s to £2 18s, good-framed young store cows £1 17s to £2 4s, older sorts £1 14s to £1 18s, boners £1 Is to £1 Bs, good quality dairy heifers £5 to £6, others £2 10s to £4 2s 6d, good quality dairy cows £5 10s to £6, medium sorts £4 to £4 10s, others £2 12s 6d to £3 12s 6d.

At the Hawera sale on Thursday the inclemency of the weather resulted in a smaller yarding than usual. Fat cows ex the dairy made from £4 15s to £5 15s, lighter and old sorts £3 10s to £4 ss, killable £3 4s, good-conditioned paddock cows £2 10s to £2 16s, young Jersey store cows £1 18s to £2, boners £1 to £1 ss. A line of small yearling P.A. heifers realised £3 2s 6d. Tire entry -n--cluded some good fat hoggets that met keen competition and. sold at from 26s Id to 27s 6d. At Douglas sale on Monday a good entry came forward, keeen competition again being in evidence for the younger class of reject cow. Dairy cattle were not yarded in large numbers and were disposed of at prices on a par with late rates. Forward to killable young cows made from £2 19s to £3 17s, good-framed paddock cows £2 Is to £2 Bs, other? £1 12s to £1 14s, boners 15s to 20s, 2-year empty Jersey heifers £2 17s to £3, good quality yearling Jersey heifers £3 7.x heavy works bulls £4 to £4 ss, calved Jersey cows, good, £5 to £5 15s, medium £4 to £4 15s, poor £2 12s 6d to £3. springing cows £4 15s to £5 ss, springing heifers £3 17s 6d to £4 15s, good quality hold-over heifers a little small £2 to £2 2s, average weight fat cows £1 14s 6d to £5 Is, lighter £3 2s to £4. Values in the pig section were subject to a rise compared with last week’s values at the New Plymouth Haymarket sale yesterday, when a capacity yarding was handled. A full clearance at advanced rates is reported, weaners and slips, especially, meeting much stronger competition. Good porkers made from £1 18s to £2 0s 6d, lighter £1 14s to £1 15s, large stores in good condition 26s to 28s, extra good slips 24s to 25s 6d, others 19s 6d to 225, choice weaners 19s 6d to 21s, good 17s to 18s, average 13s 6d to 15s, weedy and inferior 6s.

DEMAND FOR STORE STOCK

COPING WITH GROWTH OF GRASS. CATTLE MOST KEENLY SOUGHT. The Farmers’ Co-op. states that business has been well maintained in all sections of the stock market. Exceptionally heavy rain has fallen in all parts of the district, the problem of controlling the rush of grass excercising the minds of many. A keen inquiry has followed for all classes of stock, especially store cattle. Tills was shown at Waverley sale on November 1, where 500 head of station cattle were submitted . for auction, an especially spirited sale, resulting in a total clearance under the hammer. Production everywhere has continued to increase and in the majority of cases is well up on that ruling at the same period last year. Dairy produce prices have continued to show a decline and values for cheese to-day are lower than at the same period last year. It is difficult to account for the sudden fall in view of the very satisfactory stock position and the optimistic fore-, casts that were made earlier in the season as to the length of time at which the higher values would hold. In the case of butter some are inclined to think that it is only a question of a healthy position, this being a seasonal fluctuation. However, it is difficult to express an opinion due to .the uncertainty of European conditions generally. Wool values have remained firm during the week, and interest will be centred on the opening of the New Zealand sales at an early date. Lamb values have shown a slight easing tendency during the week bn the Smithfield market, but the position remains very sound. However, there are indications of a big drop in the number of New Zealand lambs for export. All classes of fat stock have remained firm, sales including several trucks of prime fat ewes (shorn) at from 17s to 18s,' with prime fat wethers (shorn) at from 24s to 25s 6d. Values of all classes of .fat cattle are inclined to show a slightly easing tendency, due to the large numbers coming on to the market, more especially fat cows from dairy herds. Sales since the last report include a line of three trucks of prime fat P.A. and Hereford cows at £8 5s and odd trucks at from £7 to £7 15s. A keen inquiry exists for all .classes of store stock, the difficulty being to satisfy this requirement, Sales of ewes for forward delivery . have been of some magnitude during the week, sales including 500 :2-tooth ewes for January delivery at from 31s to 325, 700 mixed age ewes at 27s and 500 6-year ewes at 19s 6d. Two-tooth wethers (off the shears) are being keenly sought after, great difficulty being found in obtaining quotations, and there is every indication of a shortage in this class. Sales of twotooth wethers (off the shears) have been made at from 21s to 21s 6d. A very keen demand exists for all classes of station cattle ,the feed problem accentuating it, Sales since the last report include; 90 3-year-old P.A. steers at £7, 40 2-year-old P.A. heifers at £4 15s and 50 P,A. yearling heifers at £4.

Despite the lateness of the season, a keen (iehiand has existed for good dairy cows and heifers, and sales at all centres have been very keen. There has been a lull in the Jersey yearling heifer business, but it is anticipated that renewed activity will be shown very sborfly. .' n Sales at all centres have been well supported, with animated competition especially for Jersey cows from dairy herds suitable for fattening. Graziers are turning their attention to this class of stock to keep the sudden rush of feed down.

At the Waverley sale 500 mixed station cattle were submitted for auction and attracted a large attendance of . the public. It was an exceptionally spirited sale and a total clearance under the hammer resulted. Four-year-old P,A. bullocks made £7 13s, 3-year-old • P.A. steers £7 13s, 3-year-old P-A, and Hereford steers £6 10s to £6 15s, three and 4-year-old P.A. and Hereford heifers £5 5s to £5 Ils, 2-year-old Hereford heifers £4 18s to £5 ss, P.A. cows £4 Bs, yearling P.A. steers £3 16s to £4 18s (extra good), P.A. heifers £3 Is to £3 19s. A small yarding of store cows from dairy herds met a keen sale, fat cows changing hands at £4 17s 6d to £5 ss, paddock cows £2 15s to £4 Is. A few dairy heifers were yarded and met a ready sale at from £4 10s to £6. A line of 22 good quality Jersey yearling heifers made £2 18s. The specially advertised entry on account of Mr. Jack Lupton, Waverley, of his Aberdeen Angus bulls resulted in a satisfactory sale, the top price being 34gns;, others being 12 gns, to Signs, to 30gps, Owing to adverse weather conditions there was a small yarding at Okajawa on Monday. Inquiry in all sections was keen and a brisk sale resulted. Realisations were: Paddock cows to £3 Bs, fat cows to £6, others selling at late rates. A large yarding of all classes of stock came forward to the Manaia sale on Tuesday. A large offering in the pig section met a brisk market, over 100 being disposed of under the hammer. The bulk of the yarding comprised paddock cows which met an extremely ready market at prices slightly in advance of late quotations. Realisations were: Springing heifers to £5 15s, bulls (yearling Jersey) 2gns„ paddock cows £2 ss, £3, £3 Ils to £3 14s, fat cows £4 Is, £5 7s 6d to £5 10s, others selling well at late rates, weaner pigs to 17s 6d, stores to 18s, light porkers to 255. At Auroa on Wednesday a medium yarding was submitted for auction, cattle of all descriptions meeting a ready sale. Calved heifers changed hands at £6 ss, springing heifers £6 ss, bulls (yearling Jerseys) to 3?gns;, 2-year Jersey to Ggns., paddock cows to £ 395, fat

cows to £4 12s 6d, others at late rates. At the Stratford sale a moderate yarding of store cattle, bulls and dairy cattle came forward. There was a fair attendance of buyers and a total clearance was affected at the following rates: Good dairy heifers (a little small) £5 10s to £6, calved heifers £5 to £5 7s 6d, fair quality springing dairy cows £6, fat Jersey cross cows £5 16s to £6 2s 6d, store cattle at values on a par with ruling rates'. A good yarding of cattle was submitted for auction at the Stony River sale on Tuesday and a total clearance under the hammer was effected. Prices in the store section were well up to late rates and met a ready market from a uarge bench of buyers. Realisations were: Fat Jersey cows to £6, unfinished Jerseys £4 2s 6d to £5, paddock cows £2 13s to £3 ss, good store cows 35s to £2 Is, boners to £l, pedigree yearling bulls to 81gns. Another large yarding of all classes of cattle came forward to the Inglewood sale on Wednesday and a total clearance under the hammer was effected. Yearling heifers came forward in large numbers and included some first-class cattle, while the entry in the dairy section was larger than usual. Store cattle again came forward in good numbers and a most satisfactory sale resulted. Realisations were: Nine-year gelding (all work) £4O, fat ewes to 18s, yearling heifers to £3 7s, others £2 17s 6d to £3 4s, hold-over heifers to £2 4s, empty, heifers to £2 15s, fat Jersey cows to £6, others £5 to £5 15s, lighter sorts £3 17s 6d to £4 12s 6d, paddock cows £2 13s to £3 2s, store cows 35s to £2 2s, boner cows 19s to 245, dairy heifers to £7 15s, others £6 to £7 10s, poorer sorts £3 7s 6d to £4 10s,. dairy cows to £6 and sound bulls to £7 15s,