MARKET REPORT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4517, 19 January 1923, Page 2

MARKET REPORT.

A market report states : — Beef. —There has been considerable improvement in the beef market due to increase in export values', which are nominally 22s for ox and 16s 6d for cow beef. It is clear that as far as Waikato is concerned the long period Of cessation from breeding male cattle is about to reflect its consequence on the supplies of beef, and many graziers are viewing the outlook with some concern. Mutton. —Mutton seems to have been somewhat more plentiful recently. but sc far without resulting in a decline of value. Export values are much behind local rates’. Lambs. —Hook quotations inclined to shake a trifle for a few days, but' have since recovered stability, 9d still being the nominal value for prime quality. Store Cattle.—The phenomenal growth of pasture, combined with-the increase in .the value of beef, has given an impetus to all classes of store cattle, and greatly improved competition 3 has resulted. Grown steers are in keen demand everyweere ; in fact, steers of all ages are being eagerly -searched for. Steer calves promise to provide some excitement whilst the supply lasts. Empty cows are also popular, and likely to improve. Dairy heifers are, perhaps, .the least sought after, x though this decline but follows the precedent of previous years. Possibly with the improvement in butter the inquiry for this class, will improve as the year advances. Store Sheep.—Considerable private business has been transacted chiefly in breeding ewes and rape lambs, ‘ which are once more in keen demand. Strong inquiry exists for wethers, but these seem almost unobtainable locally. Pigs.—Pigs are steady in all cen- ; tres, yard values for fat pigs keeping well abreast of; scale quotations. Store pigs also continue to sell.. readily. .