FAT STOCK PRICES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 257, 29 October 1931, Page 4

FAT STOCK PRICES.

General Fall at Addington Market. VERY HEAVY YARDINGS. Heavy yardings were the rule at the metropolitan market at Addington yesterday, and generally the demand was not equal to the supply, with a result that prices showed an easing. The entry of fat sheep was of about the same dimensions as last week’s, but values receded by from Is to Is 6d a head. There was a large proportion of shorn sheep in the good-quality yarding. The 455 head of fat cattle were of average quality, but were altogether too many for butchers’ requirements. The better quality stuff sold fairly freely, but other sorts, particularly towards the close of the sale, were difficult to quit. Values suffered a general decline of up to £1 a head. There was a good demand for store cattle, and prices for dairy cattle were slightly higher than last week. Fat pigs were yarded in smaller numbers, and there was a good demand for pork. There was a good inquiry for the fairly large entry of store pigs. Vealers. The large entry of vealers included some extra good runners. The quality was very mixed. Calves showing a want of finish declined in price by from 4s to 5s a head. The top price for the sale was £7 £s 6d. Store Cattle. There was a full yarding of store cattle, which, apart from an odd pen or two of older sort's, was very average in the way of quality. There was quite a satisfactory demand throughout. Two-and-a-half to three-year-old steers made £6 10s to £7 10s, forward three-year-old to £8 10s, eighteen-months steers to £3 15s, three-year-old heifers to £5 8s 6d, eighteen-months heifers to £3 10s, calves to 23s 6d, cows to £4, potting bulls to £5 and bulls fit for service to £3 10s. I>airy Cattle. A total of fifty-eight head of dairy cattle was yarded. The quality was fairly even, but most lots showed signs of the winter, and were in low condition. The market opened to spirited bidding, with prices slightly in advance of last week’s. Top price of £l2 was obtained for a fine Jersey springer. Values were:— Good second and third calvers £8 10s to £lO. Extra to £l2. Medium £6 to £7 10s. Aged and inferior £1 10s to £5. Good heifers to £8 10s. Medium heifers £6 to £7 10s. Others £2 to £5. rat Plg-s. There was a smaller entry of fat pigs, with baconers in short supply. There was a fair demand, especially for porkers. Values were:— Choppers £3 to £5 3s 6d. Baconers 47s 6d to 55s 6d. Heavy baconers £3 to £3 7s 6d. Average price per lb, 5d to sid. Porkers 38s to 41s 6d. Heavy porkers 42s 6d to 46s 6d. Average price per lb, 6d to 7dL Store Pigs. There was a fairly large entry of store pigs, and a good demand throughout the auction. Values were:— Small weaners 14s to 19s. Medium weaners 19s to 235. Good weaners to 255. Slips 21s to 235. Small storees 26s to 28s. Medium stores 28s to 31s. Large stores to 355.