CATTLE RATES EASE

Evening Star, Issue 23690, 25 September 1940, Page 11

CATTLE RATES EASE

HIGHER VALUES FOR SHEEP FLUCTUATING MARKET FOR PIGS Quality in the fairly large yarding of about 296 fat cattle forward at the Burnside sales of stock to-day was, on the whole, better than last week. A few trucks of extra prime bullocks were forward, while there was also a good supply of prime sorts, with the usual number of medium to light grades. Cows and heifers were forward in much the same proportion as usual. The market opened with rates slightly under those of last week, gnd remained steady on this basis throughout. Heavy bullocks were on the average £1 a head cheaper, while medium and light descriptions were a shade easier. Cows and heifers also showed a slight depreciation. Top price for bullocks was £25 lis 6d. Wethers formed the hulk of the cn try of some 1,230 head of fat sheep. Some extra choice sorts forward —about three or four trucks. Some odd consignments of good heavy ewes made an appearance, but the balance of the entry comprised raedimry descriptions, ■with wethers predominating. On account of the short supply the market opened briskly, with _ heavywethers showing an appreciation of about Is to 2s a head on late rates, lighter sorts showing more of an advance—about 2s to 3s a head. Heavy ewes were 2s a head dearer, while lighter grades were 3s up. Wether rates had i*eachcd 54s 6d at the time of going to press, and ewes 45s 6d. . r , , Following are the estimates for beet a hundred lb and the prices a lb for mutton, compared with last week’s

mostly of two and threo-year-old steers and heifers. The demand was slack and prices were. 10s easier than at the last market. Some pons were passed. One lot of four-year-old bullocks brought £ll ss; three-year-olds realised from £7 10s to £lO ss; two-year-olds. £5 15s to £6 15s; and heifers, £3 to £6 15s. Boner cows, of which there was a small entry, brought late rates. Five spring lambs sold at 27s 6d to 38s a head, or about Is 3d lb. Extra heavy baconers were slow of sale in the fat pig section, bringing from £3 17s to £4 4s a head, or about !-7d lb, while lighter-grades commanded more attention and brought from £4 4s to £4 17s a head, or 7-Jd to 8d lb. Porkers had a good sale, heavy grades bringing from £3 5s to £3 17s, or about 84d lb, while lighter sorts'brought from £2 10s to £3 4s, or about 9d lb. There were 164 fats and 118 stores forward.

rates: Last This week. week. s. d. 8. d. Prime heavy ox beef 48 6 47 6 Prime os 51 6 51 0 Prime medium ox ... 50 6 50 0 Ordinary ox 49 6 49 0 Extra prime heifers 47 0 46 6 Prime heifers ... ... 46 6 46 0 Med 1 , and light heifers 44 C 44 0 Extra prime cows ... 42 6 41 6 Prime cows 41 0 40 0 Med’, and light cows 39 0 38 6 Prime heavy wethers 0 6 0 61 Prime wethers 0 62 0 7 Young light wethers 0 74 0 72 Medium wethers 0 6 0 6i Prime heavy ewes ... 0 5 0 5-1 Prime ewes 0 6 0 61 Med. and light ewes 0 6 0 Gi Prime hoggets s 0 9 Medium hoggets 0 82 Store cattle had a medium entry,