Small Yarding At Stortford Today

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 December 1949, Page 10

Small Yarding At Stortford Today

HASTINGS, Yesterday (PA).—With farmers of the province primarily interested in the general election, very small entries came forward at Stortford Lodge sale today. The overall entry was the smallest seen in the yards for a long time, and the attendance of buyers was similarly affected. In the store sheep section, in which only 1000 head came forward, an opti-1 mistic atmosphere prevailed and values showed a firming tendency, most of the yarding consisted of shorn 2-tooth wethers, including some quality drafts, which sold at 38s to 39s lOd, with small at 35s 9d to 365. Small shorn 2-tooth ewes brought 36s 9d and 4-year ewes 40s lOd. High wool values ruling at the new season’s sales was reflected in the inquiry for woolly hoggets, small ewe hoggets selling at 45s and small wether hoggets at 41s 9d. Confronted with a short yarding of 508 head of fat sheep, butchers had to bid up to fill their requirements. Values appreciated by up to Is 6d a head, though the small entry contained some quality sheep. Prime aged shorn ewes sold at 30s lOd to 32s 10d, with lighter at 28s 4d to 28s lOd. Prime aged shorn, ewes sold at 30s lOd to 32s lOd, with lighter at 28s 4d to 28s lOd. Prime young shorn ewes made 37s 4d to 40s lOd. Good ’Down 2-tooths ot mixed sex were traded at 39s 4d to 41s Id. For prime shorn wethers

butchers paid 40s lOd to 4s lOd, others bringing 38s lOd to 39s lOd. Store cattle values advanced by 20s to 25s a head, when buyers reacted optimistically to a short yarding of 136 head. Quality was lacking and a few lines of any size came forward. However, small lots proved suitable to men with small properties and to those requiring only a few head of cattle to fill their requirements. In consequence, inquiry was keen on all drafts. A line of bullocks suitable for the grazier brought £2O, two-year steers, £7 17s to £9 15s, empty cows £ll 14s, two-year heifers £9 6s 9d, and small yearling heifers, £7 Ils to £8 2s 6d. A yarding of 185 head of fat cattle proved somewhat of an embarrassment to butchers, and values, particularly for ox beef, were markedly easier. There was a good quality entry and now there is plenty of grass about bullocks are coming forward in great order and in quantity. Female beef did not share to such an extent in the market slackening. Nevertheless there was an easing. Prime ox sold at £22 13s d to £24 13s 6d, with medium weights at £2O 18s 6d to £2l 18s 6d, and light at £lB to £l9 13s 6d. Prime heavy heifers changed hands at £l7 8s 6d to £lB 3s 6d, other prime sorts bringing £l5 3s 6d to £l6 15s. Prime cows were quoted at £l4 Is to £l5 Ils, and unfinished at £l3 8s 6d to £l3 Ils. Runners sold at £l2 to £l2 ss.