Wether Hoggets Firm At Stortford Lodge; Breeding Ewes Unchanged

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 July 1950, Page 8

Wether Hoggets Firm At Stortford Lodge; Breeding Ewes Unchanged

HASTINGS. Last Night (P.A.)— Contrary to the expectations of some observers the wether hogget market at Stortford Lodge today remained sound, with top quality sorts tending to firm in value. Breeding ewes, which were in restricted supply in a small yarding of 1967 head, showed little movemen: in price. The sale was held in cold weather, with a light misty drizzle adding to the unpleasantness of conditions. There was a small attendance of farmer?. Some useful lines of carry over wether hoggets came forward. One tidy line of woollies realised 555. Medium to good shorn wither hoggets sold at 44s 8d to 46s 6d. with small at 39s 6d. Ewe hoggets brought 54s Id to 55s 3d, and Down cross hoggets 36s 6d. There was a steady inquiry for inlamb ewes at late rates. Five and six-year-olds were traded at 53s 9d, six-year-olds 49s 3d, and mixed-aged sorts 60s 3d. There was not a great deal of animation about buying in the fat sheep section and wether values again showed a tendency to ease. Butchers were offered about 1600 head. Prime wethers were traded at 67s 4d to 68s lOd, and lighter at 65s lOd. Extra prime young ewes realised 60s 4d to 64s 4d, prime older ewes 55s to 56s Id, medium 50s lOd and unfinished 36s 4d to 45s Id. Heavy lambs were sold at 56s Id to 58s 7d, medium at

44s 4d to 47s lOd, and small at 35s Id to 38s 4d. The recent bad weather which has created drafting difficulties resulted in a yarding of only 111 head of store cattle, including 17 head of dairy cattle. The entry was the smallest for some time. The interest in the yarding was fair, the rostrum being about half full. Values showed little change from the recent satisfactory levels. Rising three-year steers sold at £l7 17s, empty cows at £lO 7s, and in-calf at £9 to £ll ss. Values for beef dropped sharply in a “sticky” market. Some competent observers estimated the price level to be up to 50s a head lower than last week. As a result passings were mor* numerous than for some time. The absence of outside buyers appeared to be one of the factors contributing to the decline. Moreover, some district butchers were missing and others had partly stocked up in the paddock. Two pens of heavy Shorthorn bullocks attracted notice to sell at up to £27 3s 6d. the top price on the day. The overall yarding of 191 head was mixed in quality. Heavy ox was traded at £25 13s 6d to £27 3s 6d, prime at. £22 8s 6d to £34 13s 6d, medium £l9 11s to £2O 3s 6d. and light and inferior £l6 Is to £lB 18s 6d. Prime heifers sold at £l4 18s 6d to £l6 13s 6d, and lighter £l2 to £l4 3s 6d. Cows were in short supply, the few which came forward selling at £l3 Is to £l5 3s 6d.