FAT CATTLE STILL IMPROVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 101, 20 July 1927, Page 9

FAT CATTLE STILL IMPROVE

PRICES AT WESTFIELD MARKETS FIRM Although numerically a yarding of between 700 and Soo cattle at Westfield to-day registered a slight improvement on last week, the average quality of the offering was well below that seen at recent sales. Extra prime big-framed beasts were well in the minority. Compared with the average quality of late yardings. the cows and heifers suffered badly. Dairy strains were largely in evidence, and the offering generally was light and poorly finished. A larger number of cattle than usual came forward from the North and the Waikato was rather poorly represented. Some of the better finished lines came from local graziers and dealers. The Northern offering suffered from the wear of travel and a recent dipping also helped to detract from their marketable. value. Though mostly bigframed, few made over £l2 ss.

The tone of the market was good, with prices firm on late rates. Top price was secured for an extra big roan bullock, not exceptionally prime.

offered on account of H. B. Sloane, Whangarei. The beast made £l6. A more representative line of big heavy bullocks on account of James Slater. Pukekohe. made to £ls 7s 6d. A line of big-framed prime Herefords made up to £l3 10s. A choice line of small-framed prime young Devon steers made £6 17s 6d. An even line of choice P.A. steers on account of P. Larsen made to £l3 2s 6d. Heavy prime bullocks made from £l3 ss: smaller framed and lighter finished bullocks made from £lO 5s to £l2 10s. Big-framed poorly-finished steers made around £7 15s. Good cows were also firmer in price, though the preponderance of inferior beasts kept the general average low. Heavy prime cows made up to £8 10s. Hereford heifers made to £S 15s. Smaller-framed prime young cows and heifers, not exceptionally well finished, made from £5 17s Gd to £7. • A most assorted yarding of calves, including a large percentage of rough poorly-finished vealers, met with a firm market, which went to £ 5 10s for an extra prime young heifer on account of G. Handcock, Otahuhu. Prime cows on account of Messrs. Ambury (Mangere). made to £9 5. A yarding of under 1,500 sheep met with a firm market and prices were maintained at late rates. Several lots of exceptionally wellfinished, big-framed wethers came forward and bidding was brisk and spirited. A small offering of owes was generally well finished and met with a ready sale, approximately 280 lambs, the majority of which were not exceptionally well finished, met with the usual demand from big butchers and exporters. For a small yarding of pigs here was a keen demand, prices being maintained well up to late rates.