STORTFORD LODGE STOCK VALUES

Chronicle (Levin), 10 April 1947, Page 6

STORTFORD LODGE STOCK VALUES

HASTINGS, April 9. Buyers xvcre operating with great conlidenc-e in the store sheep seetion at Stortford Lodge todav and as the result values for lambs advunced by fully 2s a head and mor.e in some instanees. The short enfry of 3000 head, the smallest for sohie weeks, and the flusli autumn growth which has followed reeent rains, were factors influeneing buyers in tlieir purehasing. Top priee of the season for woolly ewo lambs was 29s ld paid for an attractive liiiu. Other evve lambs were traded at 24s 2d to 25s 9d, Woolly wether lambs ranging from 2'5s to 27s. An outstanding draft of 2-tooth wethers sold at 34s 7d, the season 's best priee for wethers of the age. Other wethers made 34s. Two-tooth ewes soid at 33s, four and ► Jive-year at 2Ss and fivc-\*ear at 22s. Quality was not well featured in a good yarding of fal sheep but on the basis of condition values held firiu. Heayy wethers made to 38s lOd, prime 34s" lOd to 35s 4d, medium 33s 4d, and unlinished 29s lOd. Young prime ewes realised 29s 4d to 31s 4d and older ewes 21s 4d to 24s lOd. Prime lambs made 26s 7d to 27s 4d and medium 21s 4d to 23s ld.

The market for store eattle laeked animatiOn w-ith buyers operating witliin defm'ite limits. On the day the yarding of 850 head proved an oversupply and a number of lines Were passed in. Even starting bi'ds were at -Hines liard to obtain and bidcling generallv was "sticky. " Operators were only moderately inlereijted even for top quality offerings. Rising three-year steers sold at from £10 10s? to £12 6s, rising twoyear steers at £10, and weaner steers at £5 ls. Values for in-calf cows rangcd from £7 7s to £7 17s. Empty heifers made £8 11s and I8-months heifers £6 5s. With a good suppl.y of 170 liead, butchers provided strong competition for beef with the result' that the market held firm. The entry offered buyers some attractive eattle. Ox beef was in short supply and for prime beasts values ranged from £21 8s 6d to £22 11s. Heavy heifers sold at up to £14 18s 6d, prime at £12 11s to £14 ls, medium at £11 3s Bd to £11 18s 6d and unfmished at £10 8s 6d. Values for heavy cows ranged up to £13 Ss Gd, prime making £11 l1s to £12 ls and unfinished down to £9 3s 6d. Ronm good quality runners "and vealers were offered, niniiers solling a.t from £6 17s to £8 and re-aTers from £3 5s to £0 0s, - " f>