COMMERCIAL.

Western Star, 17 August 1920, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

SOUTHLAND STOCK AND PRODUCE MARKET.

Generally speaking, the outlook in the stock market is bright. The number of fat cattle coming, forward has been larger than usual, but of not

a« good quality as at the last two

previous Wallacetowu sales. Prices have been slightly easier, and would

I*o doubt have been further back iif it had not been for the operations of several country butchers which helped considerably towards clearing the yarding at Wallacetown. A smaller yarding, than usual of fat sheep came forward at the sale, and there has been nothing of importance doing privately, vendors preferring to dispose of their stock at the sales. Prices were better, on the whole, showing an advance of from 1/6 to £/- tor wethers and 1/- to‘ I/O for ewes. Very few three and four-year-old store bullocks,.- in forward condition, have' coim© on the market, but any forward have met with a ready sale. The demand for on© and a.-half to two-year-olds has increased considerably, and shows' every indication of a. keen market for this class within the next month or two-. The greatest activity has been shown in dairy cows, and all well-bred factory calvers have been keenly sought after. . Hairy heifers have also been selling well, prices ranging from £ll 10/- to £l6. The demand for four, six and eighttooth forward conditioned store wethers has been well maintained, and prices have been practically on a. par noth late rates. Four, six, and eighttooth ewes, in lamb, are meeting with a ready sale, hut there -are indications that farmers have filled their requirements, and some prefer to buy ewes and lambs, all counted. Oats.—There is very little doing. Local merchants are firm holders and their ideas of value are much above those of buyers. It is understood that some transactions have taken place at 5/-. f.ofb., s.i., which means very little over 4/-, on trucks, to farmers. Non© of the local merchants is quoting less than 5/9, f.0.b., g.i. Chalt.—There is a steady local demand and the value may be quoted at from £7 to £7 5/-, on trucks, for prime quality. Potatoes. —The market is quit© lifeless. Merchants are not open to buy. Gamekeeps are selling at £5 and Up-to-Dates at £6, delivered to Invercargill, less merchants’ commission and other charges. The only chance of securing the market is by the permission of the Commonwealth Government to ship to Sydney and Melbourne

OTAUTAU STOCK SALE.

There was ai considerable slump in sheep at the Otautau stock sale on Eriday, there being a very large,.yarding, and prices dropped 2/- to 3/- per head all round on last sal© day. The following were values received : 06 2-tooth wethers 35/6, 148 do. 27/-, 73 do. 35/-, 50 do. 34/6, 111 do. 22/10, 78 do. 36/1, 186 4-tooth wethers 27/9, 100 do. 35/4, 68 do. 37/2, 150 two and four-tooth wethers 35/3, 61 do. 33/1, 83 do. 33/6, 70 do. 35/7, 47 do. 31/4, 80 do. 34/7, 53 sixtooth wethers 37/-, 23 four and sixtooth wethers 26/1, 12 wethers and 2 eweg 29/1, 70 twto-tooth ewes in lamb 24/3, 68 do. 27/9, 252 do. 32/-, 119 do. 27/1, 30 do. 25/-, 26 four-tooth ewes in lamb 28/-, 148 do. 29/-, 65 do. 38/3, 40 two and four-tooth ewes in lamb 29/-, 100 two- four, six and eight-tooth ewes in lamb 29/6, 117 do. 30/-, 100 four, six and eight-tooth ewes in lamb 32/10, 173 do. 29/8, 132 do. 34/-, 32 s.m. ewes in lamb 29/6, 99 do. ’3O/2, 11 f.f. ewes in lamb 6/-, 90. do. 22/9, 30 do. 26/-, 111 do. 22/7, 49 do. 22/3, 25 two-tooth ewes 23/1, 5 empty ewes 4/-, 21 four and sixtooth ewes 31/6, 130 mixed hoggets 29/2, 204 do. 26/-, 160 do. 17/3, 24 'do. 28/-, 80 do. 26/2, 24 do. 12/-, 16 do 20/3, 205 do. 30/-, 100 do. 19/6, 46 do 23/3, 62 do. 28/4, 100 do. 24/6, 95 do. 22/-, 34 do. 18/9, 47 wether hoggets 27/10, 114 do. 22/1.