LIVESTOCK MARKETS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 106, 9 May 1946, Page 3

LIVESTOCK MARKETS

VALUES AT ADDINGTON (P.A.) Christchurch, May 8. The entry in the store sheep section at Addington to-day totalled 8500, against 9000 last week. The offering of adult sheep was about 1000 larger than at the previous sale, and totalled 5500. The increase was due mainly to the inclusion of a number of standard station lines, among them several large lines of wethers. The attendance was good and the buying well spread. Main interest was in wethers, which were firmer than last week by about Is a head. Ewes received attention normal at a sale so late in the season, and good lines showed little change from last week, but less attractive sorts were cheaper. The best of wethers made round about 30s, which was paid for several lots, and others made from 24s upwards. The best ewe price was 365, for a pen of twotooths from the Chatham Islands. Aged Chatham Islands sheep made 24s to 26s for good lines, with medium sorts 20s to 235. Few lines of good fine-toothed ewes were offered, and the best made to 23s 6d, with ordinary sorts at 13s to 18s. The offering of store lambs totalled 2900, against 4500 last week. There was little interest in the sale, and the bidding on anything but the best, ewe lambs was slack. Prices for ewes showed little alteration from that of last week, but wethers were about Is a head cheaper. The best sale of the day was 29s 6d for a particularly good line of Romney ewes. Fine-wool led ewe lambs made 21s 6d to 23s 6d for the best, with medium lines from 19s to 21s. The best wether lambs made to 22s Id, with good lines 17s 6d to 19s 6d, medium 15s 6d to 17s, and inferior down to 6s.

Fat Sheep.—Late entries, which arrived from the south, brought the entry of fat sheep up to 6250, compared with 5500 last week. The qualitv all round was not as good as that of the entry last week, but there were some I nes of choice sheep. Among the entry was a large consignment of wethers from the Chatham Islands, which sold well. The market started about on a par with last week’s rates, though there was an easier tendency. As the sale progressed it became plain that the supply was considerably more than was needed, and values eased by a full-shilling a head for all but exceptional pens. Local butchers were not buying keenly, and freezers also showed less than their usual interest. Values were: Extra prime heavy wethers, to 525; prime heavy wethers. 38s to 12s 6d: prime medium weight wethers, 31s 6d to 37s 6d, ordinary and light, from 255, extra prime maiden ewes, to 51s Id; extra prime ewes. 29s to 33s 6:1; prime ewes, 22s to 28s; medium and light, to 21s. The fat cattle market was almost as busy as last week when the record total of 849 was penned. A yarding of 690 included a large carry over from last week, when many of the cattle which came forward were not penned, and there was again a big influx from the Canterbury fattening districts, 85 trucks arriving on Tuesday night, alone. Apart from a number of drafts of heavy West Coast bullocks, there were not so many consignments from distant stations.. The best bullocks showed no depreciation in value, as was indicated by the early sale of seven West Coast Herefords in exceptionally good condition, at an average price of £23 12s 6d. A limited supply of prime; beef was drawn mainly from station lines of Hereford and Black Polled cattle, and, apart from these, the quality of the entry was disappointing. Heifers in good condition sold well, but unfinished beef and old cows of the dairy reject class, which comprised the bulk of the entry slipped in value by 10s, and up to £1 a head. Heavy yardings of beef are expected at Addington for next month, as the stock is quitted before the winter. Best beef made up to 55s per lOOlbs., good 46s to 50s, medium 42s to 454, best cow beef to 345, and secondary to 30s. Exira prime steers made to £23 17s 6d; prime steers, £l9 to £2l 10s; prime medium weight steers, £l6 2s 6d to £lB 12s 6d; ordinary steers, £ll 10s to £l4 12s 6d; prime heifers, £l3 10s to £l5 2s 6d; medium heifers, £lO 7s 6d to £l2 17s 6d; others from £7 10s; extra prime cows, to £l3 17s 6d; ..rime cows, £lO to £l2 10s; medium cows, £7 12s 6d to £9 2s 6d; light cows, £5 to £7. Fat Pigs.—The yarding of porkers was again large, and although the first race sold well, values thereafter eased by from 5s to 10s a head. A large number of butchers bought extra supplies last week when values were easier towards the end of the sale, and this affected the buying for th s week. Choppers were also in heavy supply, but the sale was again a good one, last week’s prices being fully maintained. In the bacon section the yarding was of medium size, and all classes met with a firm sr/2. Prices were a shade better than last Aveek’s. The average price per lb. was 82d to 9;d. (Wanganui. Stortford Lodge and Westfield stock sale reports on page 7)