STRONG INQUIRY FOR STORE LAMBS AT THE FEILDING SALE

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 6

STRONG INQUIRY FOR STORE LAMBS AT THE FEILDING SALE

PALMERSTON N., Last Night <PA).—lnquiry for store lambs was as strong as ever at Feiiding, when light entries were quickly taken up. Fat sheep changed hands at late rates with little movement, and the bulk* of the offering was taken by freezing interests. Station cattle, which included several useful lines, did not sell as readily, but realisations were at prices in sympathy with recent quotations. A strong tone was noted in the dairy cattle department, where entries were small.

There was very little competition by retail butchers for an offering of 800 head of fat sheep, and the bulk ol •he yarding, which comprised mostly lambs and wethers, was absorbed by freezing interests. Over 300 lambs of rather good quality were traded at prices just a shade better than last week. Top price was 39s lOd. Most of the 250-odd wethers were on the small side, but were in good condition. Top pens changed hands at 48s lOd. Ewe mutton was light and mostly unattractive. Sales: ’Down-cross, 46 s lOd; lambs, to 39s lOd; wethers, to 48s .10d; ewes, to 25s lOd. There was a very bright inquiry for store lambs, which comprised the bulk of the store shee.p offering, while some entries of mated ewes were not wanted; practically all the lambs changed hands. Prices were in line with late rates: Wether lambs to 32s 7d, ewe lambs to 41s 3d, ’Down-cross lambs to 345, fattening ewes to 28s 7d.

Less than half the number of station cattle yarded found buyers, operators appearing to desire cattle from district hills instead of those offered on account of other interests. The yarding was approximately 400 head, and transactions were mostly confined to small lots. Prices were firm and the quality medium to good. A pen of 21 4 and 5-year bullocks was traded at £l6 10s, while a pen of 3£-year bullocks found a buyer at £l5 16s. Another pen of 25 A.A. bullocks, 4Byear sorts, made £l6 Bs.

Operators in store cattle had a wide range of boner cows and heavy weights commanded good prices under firm competition. Cows made to £l2 ss, heifers £7 15- to £lO 15s and bulls £8 10s.

High prices were offering for medium to good quality mature dairy cattle, which were in short supply. The sales were: Springing cows, £l2 15s to £l7 10s; springing heifers, £lO 2s to £l7 15s; heifer in milk, £l2 ss; wcaner heifers, £6 12s 6d to £8 11s.