Farmers Bid Keenly For Store Lambs At Stortford Lodge

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 January 1949, Page 8

Farmers Bid Keenly For Store Lambs At Stortford Lodge

HASTINGS, Last Night (PA).—En couraged by recent rains, farmers bid keenly for store lambs when trading in live stock for the New Year began at Stortford Lodge today. Almost the whole entry 5000 head consisted of this type of farming proposition. The inquiry for meaty lines was as strong as before the holidays and second grade lines suitable for crop showed a noticeable improvement. The best price for shorn wether lambs was 27s lOd, paid for lambs of substance. Other good shorn lines realised 25s ’Bd to 26s Bd, inferior sorts bringing 21s 6d. Among woollies the most attractive quality consignment sold at 33s 4d. Values for other woolly drafts ranged from 28s Id to 31s, with light conditioned sorts at 24s to 27s 6d Downcross lambs were traded at 26s 7rf to 29s 2d. A single pen of four-tooth wethers found a buyer at 36s 7d. Store cattle were in scarce supply, only 100 head coming forward. Little interest was taken in the offering, which gave no true guide to the New Year market prospects. Empty cows were traded at from £ll to £l2, and small yearling steers at £6 7s. Small three-vear steers were passed in at £l2 ss. Mutton values remained about on & par with those ruling before the holiday break, except for wethers, which firmed slightly in line with the increase in the schedule. Prime wethers realised 39s lOd to 41s lOd, light making 34s 7d to 35s 4d. Extra prime young: ewes changed hands at up to 38s lOd, prime old ewes bringing up to 28s lOd, medium 25s lOd to 4d, and unfinished 23s Id. Down two-tooths were traded at 33s lOd to 36s Id and lambs at from 24s 4d to 32s Id. With a short yarding of only 130 head and butchers seeking to restock after the holidays, the beef market for the New Year opened strongly. The entry included some really prime ox beef, on which bidding was animated. Nine choice AA bullocks sold at from £25 11s to £25 16s, averaging £25 13s. A top quality consignment of AA bullocks also sold at up to £25 16s Values for prime ox ranged from £23 8s 6d to £25 16s. medium selling at. £1 18s 6d to £22 6s, and unfinished at £l9 18s 6d. Prime heifers brought £l5 16s, medium heifers £l3 18s 6d Io £l5 Is. lighter £ll 18s 6d, prime cows £l3 8s 6d to £l4 18s 6d. and lighter unfinished sorts, £lO 16s to £l2 8s 6d.