Stortford Lodge Stock Values

Chronicle (Levin), 17 November 1949, Page 2

Stortford Lodge Stock Values

HASTINGS, Nov 16. Notwitkstanding tlie improved feed position, the market for bullocks showed a tendeacy to ease in the store eattic section at Stortford Lodge to-day. Feniale cattle, however, continued to meei with a strong inquiry and values were well maintained, partieularly where quality was oifering. There was a yarciing ot 720 head which, included a good supply of bullocks in the first few opening pens. It was apparent from the outset that the market was suffering slightiy from the absence of one or two farniers usualiy interested in this class oi grazing proposition. Some good farming propositions were included among the female cattle and for these the m- . quiry was sound. Values for forwaru biillocks ranged from £18 5s to £19 10s with lighter-at £16 5s to £17 17s. Forward three-year bullocks bxought £18 12s, two-year steers £13 to £14 5s aua good yearling steers £12. Empty cows were traded at £12 17s 6d, empty twoyear lieifers at £11 14s to £13 and yearling heifers at £8 2s to £8 16s. Oft'ered a yarding of 163 head of fai cattle in which there was a good selection of summer weight beef, butehers provided keen competition. The market firmed by up to 10s a head. Thert were no heavyweight bullocks oftering but quality heifers were plentiful, the top price being realised at £20 18s oa. Cows made up to £19 6s and prime lighi to medium weight ox changed hands ai £21 18s 6d to £24 11s. For prime reav> heifers butehers paid £18 3s 6d to £20 18s 6d, medium weight sorts in prime condition bringing £15 18s 6d to £1' 16s, and iight £13 3s 6d to £15 13s 6d. Prime heavy cows sold at £17 8s 6a to £19 6s with medium weights at £14 3s 6d to £15 18s 6d and iight at £12 13s 6a to £12 18s 6d. The 1 ' grass ' ' demand stimulated mterest in the store sheep market. The attendance was not laige but bidding was strong and well spread with values showing an upward trend even on last vveek's strong mhrket. Practicaily the whole yarding of 2500 head consisted of shorn two-tooth wethers. The besi , figure for two-tooth wethers off the shears was 38s 5d paid for a good lmu. Other well grown two-tooths sold at 36s 7d tp 38s with small at 32s 11 d to 3is 7d. For a forward conditioned line oi grown wethers, mostly four-tooths, 39s 6d was paid. Other grown wethers reaiised 37s to 39s and Down cross wetners 36s 9d. Ewes were in short supply, small two-tooths selling at.39s 3d, goou four-tooths at 43s 6d and old ewes with Down cross lambs at foot 28s 9d all counted. Keener competition than usual had a stimulating effect on the fat sheep market and there was a marked firmmg tendency until half way through tne sale. Wethers were plentiful in the short yarding of about 4000' head an.d quality was generally good. Prime aged shorn ewes were tracled at 29s 7d to 37s 4d withHighter at 27s lOd to 28s lOd. Prime woolly ewes sold at 48s- 1L For prime - shorn- young ewes butehers paid 34s lOd to 37s 4d. Prime shorn wethers changed hands at 42s lOd to 44s la, medium weights bringing 37s 4d to 39s lOd. Single spring lamb made 33s 4d and prime woolly hogget sold at 38s lOd. ' . ' . .. .