DECLINE IN VALUES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26617, 13 November 1947, Page 9

DECLINE IN VALUES

Increased Yardings at Burnside FAT CATTLE AND SHEEP EASIER With increased entries in the major sections there was a decline in prices at Burnside yesterday compared with the high values ruling last week. The offering of fat cattle numbered 360 head, compared with 250 last week. With this increased number, and the extra good quality, the trade were not as keen as in previous weeks. The great bulk of the yarding comprised prime quality ox, with a fair proportion of cows and heifers. Prices generally for ox could be quoted 30s to £2 a head below last week, and in the concluding race there was a further easing in values. Cows and heifers maintained their values and sold readily throughout the sale. The entry of fat sheep was in excess of requirements, the number offered being 2450. The yarding mainly consisted of shorn sheep with a limited number of pens of good quality wethers. Prices for these showed a decline of 2s to 3s a head, while the sale for ewes was a dragging one, and prices were easier by 5s to 6s a head on those ruling last week. In some parts of the sale there was an even further decline. The offering of store cattle was made up of a few pens of poor sorts, only two pens of 3-year-old cattle being offered. These, as in previous sales, made good values. Vealers and runners were also in fairly short supply, and although the demand was good, prices did not appear to be up to the level of previous sales. Baconers and porkers had a fairly good display, with a keen demand for prime baconers, but a weakening tendency for medium and lighter sorts. Porkers met with good competition and so did store pigs, which reached high values.

Fat Cattle. —In this section the quality and numbers were well above any yardings for some weeks. The sale did not display the same animation as last week, and although cattle were easier, good values were still being maintained. The feature of the sale was the high prices which are still being secured for cows and heifers. The quality here again was outstanding and no difficulty was experienced in disposing of any lots readily at auction. The following are a number of die top prices secured for the day:—W. \V. Dallas, Stirling, truck of bullocks to £35 2s 6d, average £33 10s; Lands and Survey, three trucks of bullocks, £33 7s Id to £3B 12s 6d; Vickers Bros., Stirling, truck of bullocks, £3l 2s 6d to £32 7s Gd, average £3l 17s. Quotations': Extra prime heavy bullocks, to £3B 12s 6d; prime heavy, £33 2s 6d to £34 7s 6d; prime, £27 17s 6d to £29 17s 6d; medium, £23 17s 6d to £26 2s 6d; light, from £l7 12s 6d. Extra prime heavy heifers, £25 2s 6d; prime heavy, £22 12s 6d to £24 2s 6d; prime, £l6 17s 6d to £l9 17s 6d; medium, £l3 17s 6d to £l4 17s 6d; light, from £1 12’s 6d. Prime heavy cows, to £23 17s 6d; prime, £l6 12s 6d to £l9 12s 6d; medium, £l2 7s 6d to £l4 7s 6d; light, from £9 7s 6d. Fat Sheep.—The entry oi fat sheep showed an increase of approximately 500 above the previous week’s offering. With lhis increase, the market had a rather easier tone, and prices throughout the sale were easier and fairly regular throughout. Ewes in - particular, which were in any way gross or not suitable Cor the trade, had a poor demand. Handyweight wethers and young ewes met with the best competition. Quotations: Prime heavy shorn wethers, to 71s; prime, 57s to 635; medium, 45s to 525; light, from

375. Prime heavy shorn young ewes, to 495; prime heavy ewes, 35s to 38s; medium, 30s to 335; light, from 265. Prime heavy woolly ewes, to 50s; prime, 44s to 475. Spring Lamb.—The entry numbered 47, and as these were mostly of good quality, the demand was keen and high prices were secured throughout the sale. Best quality lambs made from 47s 6d to 525; and medium, 42s to 44s 6d. Fat Pigs.—The entry in this section was somewhat better than last week, and values for any class other than fine showed an easing by 3s to 4s a head. Good quality baconers are still commanding good prices. Porkers met with a keen sale and prices showed an improvement on those of last week. Best baconers sold up to £9 7s; prime, £8 to £8 9s; medium, £6 18s to £7 7s; light, from £6 7s. Best porkers, to £6; medium, £4 18s to £5 7s; light, from £4. The offering of store pigs was well below requirements and the prices secured were well above recent sales. Best weaners made from 48s to 525, and medium 43s to 465. Store Sheep.—A line of aged ewes and lambs in the wool made up to 23s 4d, while two pens of shorn hoggets made 39s 7d to 38s respectively.