Prime stock holds value

Press, 29 January 1986, Page 29

Prime stock holds value

Most types of butcher-qual-ity prime stock maintained recent values at the Addington market yesterday. However, stock that was overfat or in light condition had a much more difficult sale. Buyers showed limited interest in small prime lambs, and only well-finished cattle attracted any significant competition. Prime lambs Limited competition from buyers contributed to a drop in light to medium prime lamb prices of $1.50 a head. Good quality butchers' lambs, however, continued to sell well at $2l to $25. Once again, overfat stock was heavily penalised. Ram lambs with good frames attracted interest from farmers, but light, small-framed ram lambs were harder to sell than in. recent markets. The yarding was 1460, compared with 1150 last week. Values were:— Heavy lambs, to $26. Medium lambs, $l6 to $l9. Light lambs, $l3 to $15.40. Sales included:—C. B. Stanbury (Little River), 35 at $16.40 to $17.20; F. H. McDonald (Yaldhurst), 20 at $l7 to $20.20; W. J. Mauger (Heathcote), 24 at $16.60 to $17.20; Mount Arden Land Company (Hawarden), 21 at $14.40 to $16.60; E. J. Grimsey (Cheviot), 17 at $17.20 to $18; W. Allan Gray (Teddington), 64 at $16.80 to $19.60; P. Devlin (Motukarara), 14 at $14.40 to $24.60; T. J. Watson (Sandy Knolls), 35 at $15.20 to $16.40; F. L. Holmes (Ellesmere), 51 at $14.40 to $19.40; I. Copland (Ashburton), 30 at $15.80 to $22; C. Light (Kaiapoi), 51 at $14.80 to $22.20;

W. D. Ross (Shands Track), 29 at $17.20 to $24.60; K. M. Lassen (Greenpark), 24 at $15.60 to $18; G. B. Bedford (Prebbleton), 70 shorn at $14.60 to $19.80; W. M. Gilbert (Springston), 38 shorn at $l5 to $22.80; R. G. D. Scott (Cashmere), 16 at $l6 to $l9; D. J. Lyttle (West Melton), 17 at $14.40 to $l9; G. Ede (Killinchy), 40 at $l5 to $17.40; A. J. and F. D. Phillips (Broadfields), 20 at $24.20 to $25; W. C. Miller (Lobum), 85 at $l6 to $18; K. J. Harrison (Cashmere), 18 shorn at $14.40 to $16.40; C. T. Jessep (Greenpark), 73 at $15.80 to $20.60; K. Griffiths (Weedons), 38 at $l6 to $24.60; D. L. and R. D. Parkinson (Tai Tapu), 98 at $l6 to $2O; P. W. Boag (Governors Bay), 76 at $17.80 to $2O; L. W. Irvine (Killinchy), 16 at $19.40 to $21.40; D. A. Herrick (Boardfield), 31 at $15.40 to $17.40; D. J. and J. A. Heffer (Greenpark), 43 shorn at $14.60 to $23.20; J. M. Guthrey (Broomfield), 48 at $15.40 to $26. Prime sheep A yarding of only 960 prime sheep — mostly old ewes — fetched satisfactory prices. Last week’s yarding was 1523. The bulk of the old ewe yarding sold between $7.40 and $lO, with better ewes reaching $ll. The small offering of hoggets was again in limited demand because of competition from heavy lambs. Values were:— Best old ewes, to $ll. Medium old ewes, $7.20 to $8.40. Light old ewes, $5 to $7. Best medium hoggets, to $l9 Light hoggets, $l4 to $l6.

Sales included:—Old ewes: W. G. Miller (Loburn), 134 at $6 to $9.80; G. M. Moore (Halkett), 17 at $6 to $10.40; Galway Farm (Woolston), 36 at $7.20 to $10.80; T. G. Gliddon (Irwell), 21 at $6.40 to $10.20; D. A. Herrick (Weedons), 28 at $5 to $9.80; A. W. Taylor (Rolleston), 21 at $lO to $10.40; G. Ede (Killinchy), 40 at $lO to $11; V. T. Winter (Irwell), 59 at $8 to $10.80; Dalray Farm (Amberley), 27 at $B.BO to $10; Forest View Farm (Rangiora), 45 at $8 to $10; Poultry Processors (Rangiora), 40 at $8.40 to $9.80; A. E. Malndonald (Rangiora), 28 at $7.40 to $9.40; Estate J. A. and Mrs N. I. Cullen (Oxford), 55 at $5.80 to $8.40; A. A. White (Loburn), 17 at $7.80 to $10; T. J. Watson (Sandy Knolls), 33 at $6.40 to $10.60; L. V. McGrath (Oxford), 81 at $7.80 to $10; R. and J. I. Mulvay (Sheffield), 18 at $7.40 to $10.20; J. P. and G. J. Marshall (Darfield), 35 at $6.80 to $8.60. Prime cattle The beef cattle yarding was 290, about 90 head smaller than last week’s and a big drop from two weeks ago when 540 cattle were offered. In spite of the decreasing numbers, selling has got progressively harder, although there has been no major change in price. An easing in the beef export schedule and a lack of interest from buyers has contributed to the general lack of enthusiasm. Yesterday’s yarding was of mixed quality, with the poorer cattle the hardest to sell. Good quality heavy steers were in steady demand.

The top price was $BBO for a Hereford-Angus cross steer from Mrs P. J. H. Masefield, of Akaroa. A Hereford cross heifer from M. J. and Mrs H. Ashworth, Loburn, made $7OO and a Hereford cross cow from the same vendors reached $642. Prime steers and heifers to 220 kg sold between 215 c and 225 c a kilogram; from 220 kg to 270 kg, 215 c and 225 c; and over 270 kg, to 225 c. Values were:— Prime heavy steers, to $BBO. Prime medium steers, $6lO to $7lO. Prime light steers, $550 to $6OO. Prime heavy heifers, to $7OO. Prime medium heifers, $490 to $530. Prime light heifers, $420 to $4BO. Prime heavy cows, to $642. Prime medium cows, $440 to $4BO. Prime light cows, $390 to $430. Sales included:—Steers: Mrs P. J. H. Masefield (Akaroa), 5 at $842 to $880; A. B. Byrch (Motunau), 2 at $570 and $698; T. W. Gulliver (Sedgemere), 3 at $616; Living Springs Trust (Allandale), 14 at $568 to $622; K. Bailey (Cashmere), 12 at $668 to $710; N. W. Manson (Little River), 5 at $642; J. N. Guthrey (Amberley), 4 at $558; J. D. R. White (Little River), 5 at $698 to $732; J. D. Waller (Little River), 3 at $650 to $698; I. C. Stanbury (Little River), 12 at $650 to $720; Sta-rite Farm (Christchurch), 4 at $6OO to $692; P. Mulligan (Ohoka), 11 at $682 to $710; R. W. Long (Hanmer Springs), 9 at $672 to $688;

Estate A H. and B. J. Green (Hanmer Springs), 2 at $694; N. D. Shipley (Harewood), 13 at $532 to $610; N. G. Heffernan (Little River), 4 at $6BO. Heifers: Takamatua Farming Company (Takamatua), 7 at $500; J. N. Guthrey (Amberley), 7 at $492 to $632; D. J. Blakely Trust (Purau), 11 at $452 to $568; Sheepstore Partnership (Tai Tapu), 8 at $5OO to $520; N. A. Reid (Motunau), 3 at $466 to $498; Living Springs Trust (Allandale), 1 at $582; Mrs P. J. H. Masefield (Akaroa), 2 at $598; J. D. Waller (Little River), 4 at $464 to $540; N. C. Greenwood (Ellesmere), 8 at $436; Estate A. H. and B. J. Green (Hanmer Springs), 13 at $428 to $502; M. J. and Mrs H. Ashworth (Loburn), 2 at $660 and $7OO. Cows; Mrs P. J. H. Masefield (Akaroa), 3 at $420; Wildorn Friesians (Springston), 3 at $456 to $480; P. Norgate (Oxford), 2 at $460; A. L. P. Patterson (Lakeside), 6 at $470; D. J. Blakely Trust (Purau), 9 at $392 to $446; F. D. H. Gray (Hororata), 6 at $450; M. J. and Mrs H. Ashworth (Loburn), 4 at $520 to $642; N. G. Heffernan (Little River), 2 at $444. Bobby calves Prices for all types of bobby calves remained very firm. Most Friesian bull calves sold from $ll4 to $l4O, Friesian heifers were $9O to $lO4, beef cross bulls were $l2O to $154, and beef cross heifers made $124. The yarding was 45. Dairy cows A feature of the dairy cow sale was a line of capital stock, mated Jersey heifers. Fifteen Jersey and Jersey cross heifers sold from $250

to $3lO and two Frelsian heifers made $305. Ten weaned Jersey heifer calves sold at $5O to $7O. Other sales included a springing fourth-calving Friesian at $5OO, a Friesian heifer with calf at $515, and a heifer in milk at $415. Prime pigs

A medium-sized yarding of prime pigs was of mixed quality, and only good quality, heavy pigs were in demand. Although other types were easier to sell than last week, prices were unchanged. Choppers sold reasonably well and good-cutting pigs made $BO to $9O with heavy pigs to $l3O.

Values were:— Light pork, $7O to $B5. Medium to heavy pork, $9O to $lO3.

Light to medium bacon, $lO5 to sl’s.

Heavy bacon, to $136. Light choppers, $7O to $9O. Heavy choppers, $lOO to $l3O. Store pigs Store pigs had a slightly better sale than last week’s although values showed little change from recent rates. The market attracted increased buying power from other districts.

A big yarding of breeding stock was offered and in-pig sows had a disappointing sale. Only the best young sows were in demand, reaching $2OO. Other sows made $9O to $llO and sows with litters had an excellent sale from $250 to $330. Values were:— Small weaners, $l7 to $25. Good weaners, $27 to $35. Slips and small stores, $4O to $5O. Large stores, to $6O.