A FURTHER DECLINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26635, 4 December 1947, Page 7

A FURTHER DECLINE

Beef and Fat Sheep Values at Burnside GOOD SALES OF LAMBS Increased offerings of fat cattle at Burnside yesterday had the effect of a further decline in values; the number offered was 410 and this, following the large yarding of last week, proved to be in excess oi requirements. The quality was well up to the standard of past weeks, the greater bulk of the yard being prime and prime heavy-weight. The sale opened with weak competition, the prices showing a decline of £3 10s to £4 a head on heavy sorts and £2 10s a head on lighter weights. The market was a fluctuating one throughout, with pens of exceptionally good light-weight cattle probably not showing the same depreciation.

Cows were forward in larger numbers and these also had a poor demand, prices generally being from £2 to £2 10s a head lower. The offering of heifers was below the usual numbers and the quality mostly average. The offering of fat sheep numbered 2550 and, considering the entry, the sale was quite a fair one throughout. Prices, however, were somewhat below those ruling last week, prices for all classes being 2s to 2s 6d a head lower. Keen demand was displayed for spring lamb and good values were again secured. ' '

The offering of store cattle was again a small one, there being no straight lines of any good cattle offering. Demand, however, was good for the class yarded, and there are still buyers on the lookout for this class of cattle. Baconers and porkers had a better yarding than for some weeks and, with the increased number, prices were somewhat lower, and could be quoted problbly 5s to 6s a head below last week's rates. The demand for store pigs is still a keen one, the entries coming to hand not being sufficient to fill inquiries.

Fat Cattle.—The entry in this section ■ was a large one, and, in consequence, the prices showed a further easing on last week’s sale. In the last three weeks the drop has been in the vicinity of about £7 a head for heavy-weight cattle and £4 to £5 a head for the lighter weights. The quality was the best that had been offered for some weeks, and included a number of consignments of extra good quality. With the warmer weather, this class of cattle has not the same inquiry. One consignment of quality cattle sold on behalf of the Lands and Survey Department made from £2B 17s 6d to £32 17s 6d, an average of £3O. A truck of bullocks sold by J. W. Irving, Oamaru, made from £2B 2s 6d to £32 7s 6d. an average of £29 15s. Quotations:—Prime heavy bullocks; £3O to £32 7s 6d; prime, £24 17s 6d to £27 17s 6d; medium. £2l 7s 6d to £24 2s 6d; light, from £l6 2s 6d. Prime heifers. £l6 12s 6d to £l9 2s 6d; medium, £l4 7s «d to £ls 17s 6d; light, from £ll 12s 6d. Prime heavy cows, to £l9 17s 6d; prime, £l4 17s 6d to £l7 17s 6d; medium, £l2 2s 6d to £l3 17s 6d; light, from £8 17s 6d. Fat Sheep.—The entry of fat sheep comprised a number of consignments of good butchers’ wethers, likewise many pens of handy-weight ewes. Considering the large yarding, prices were maintained fairly regularly throughout, although they were easier and, in the concluding stages, only a few buyers were present. Quotations:—Prime heavy shorn wethers, to 595; prime, 55s to 57s 6d: medium, 45s to 475: light, from 335. Prime young ewes, 47s to 50s; prime heavy ewes. 31s to 335; prime, 26s 6d to 28s 6d; medium, 24s to 25s 6d; light, from 19s. Spring Lamb.—The entry of lambs numbering 150 met with exceptionally good sales throughout. Many good quality lambs are coming to hand and the

prosnect lor the season appears to be a good one. This, however, will depend greatly on the weather from now on. Best quality lambs made from 48s 6d to 535, medium, 43s to 455. ... Store Cattle.— I The entry of store cattle was again a small one and with the numher of buyers to hand It was apparent that a larger entry could have been readily absorbed. Two pens of three-year-old steers made £l6 15s and £ls 10s. One pen of 18-month-old steers made; £9 iOs. A pen of yearling steers made £7 12s. The demand for runners and vealers is still a good one, best runners making from £l3 to £ls; good vealers, £6 15s to £JI° S ' these being in very short supply. £arge cafves brought £3 14s to £4, and medium, £ Fat S pie s^—With an increased entry In this section, the demand barely compared with that of the previous two sales, baconers showing a decline from the high values ruling recently, while porKers, although a shade below recent values, had little quotable alteration. baconers made un to £9; prime, £8 5s to £8 12s, medium? £7 2s to £7 14s; light, from £6 14s. Good quality porkers made from £) 16s to £6 2s; light and medium, from £4 13s Store pige. which were in short numbers, made high values, good weaners realising from 45s to 50s. and medium, 38s to 435.