Stortford Lodge Stock Values

Chronicle (Levin), 18 August 1949, Page 6

Stortford Lodge Stock Values

HASTINGS, August 17. A recor.d priee of 52s for woolly wether hoggets was established at Stortford Lodge today, this priee beiitg -paid for a weighty line of 71 from Tomoana. There were only 2000 sheep in the yards, farmers apparently being too fully occupied after the fioods to draft. The inquiry was exceptionally strong for all classes of sheep, fourtooth wethers reaching 55s 5d. Only one pen of ewes ahd lambs appeared and these sold (subject) at 27s. The sale attraeted a good attendance of farmers and from the outset the demand was exceptionally keen. Farmers were obviously prepared to pay big money for sheep. with any condition. Moderately grown aged wethers were traded at 48s 2d with four-tooths at 55s 5d. Hard conditioned six year inlamb' ewes made 22s and five and sixyear olds in light order 37s. Empty two-tooth ewes changed hands at 40s. Top ' quality woolly wether hoggets were quoted at 44s to 52s, small ewe hoggets making' 32s to 37s and good Down eross hoggets 40s. The season 's record priee of 67s 7d was paid for fat wethers. Wether values were generally firm on last week but there was a phenomenal rise in values for old ewes, the market firming in some cases by up to 8s a head. A new peak level for fat eged ewes was set at 52s 4d. There was a short yarding whicli contained some of the heaviest sheep seen in the yards for some time. Extra prime aged ewes were quoted at 47s 100 to 52s 4d, prime bringing 39s lOd to 40s lOd and uniiiiished 31s 7d. Extra prime young ewes made to 59s lOd with others at 50s 4d to 53s 7d. Prime wethers sold at 60s 7d to 67s 7d,, uandy weights going at 57s lOd to 59s lOd and light at 50s 4d. Lambs were quoted at 37„s 4d to 45s 4d. Bidding was eonfident and well spread among a fairly large attendance of farmers in the store cattle market when 250 head appeared. The market was sound for all classes of cattle. The lines were mostly small and empty heifers, good quality, made up the buik of the ejitry.' Good conditioned 20months heifers sold at £14 to £14 4s, lighter heifers at £11 4s to £11 5s, empty cows at £10. Rising three year steers made £15 4s to £15 los, 20 montlis steers £12 15s and good weaner steers £10 5s. Caught out by another short yarding, butchers provided keen competition in the fat cattle market and values lifted sliarply by up to £3 a head. There was an entry .of 70 head in which quality was generally good. The" market was well supplied with good quality medium weight bullocks which sold at up to £26 3s Gd. A consignment of 24 Biaeks averaged £24 15s a head. Quality eonsignments of female cattle were offered, selling up to £18 18s 6d and heifers to £18 ls. Prime medium weight ox changed hands at" £24 Ss1 6d to £26 S's Od, unfinished bringing £23 ls to £211 16s. Prime heavy heifers brought £17 3s to £18 11s with others at £15 16s For prime cows butchers paid £17 3s 6d to £18 18s 6d, medium weights bringing £14 16s to £15 18s 6d and un linished £13 13s 6d.