FIRM STOCK VALUES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 126, 18 August 1927, Page 2

FIRM STOCK VALUES

WESTFIELD REVIEWED YOUNG CALVES SELLING Better quality cattle came forward at Westfield yesterday. There was a large percentage of big-framed bullocks, though many could have been better finished. The offering of cows was of mediocre quality, though some choice P.A. heifers were offered on account of Waikato graziers. Many lines of cows, on the other hand, were littlo above the standard required for the store section. Last week's prices for beef were well maintained and competition was keen throughout. Big-framed prime bullocks made to £l6 10s and P.A. heifers sold to £9 15s. Young calves up to six weeks old comprised the greatest portion of a large yarding of vealers. Prime wellfinished calves were well in the minority, and in the heavy vealer and runner sections there were few choice pens, the offering mostly being rough and unfinished. Prices were sustained up to late rates, buyers for export helping to absorb any surplus after butchers’ requirements were satisfied. Top price for runners was £5 ss. Young well-nourished calves up to a few weeks old made to 30s. Generally the offering of sheep was unfinished, and many lines were little above store section standards. The offering of ewes was particularly .ragged. A large percentage of big-framed wethers came forward, but few really prime lines were seen, and there was nothing up to the standard of the Opotiki sheep which made £2 5s at last week’s sale. Prices throughout were erratic. Starting slightly easier than last week, the market quickly firmed, only to ease again slightly towards the close. Wethers saw 435. This price was given for a pen of heavy-woolled bigframed sheep, well finished but not extra prime. Medium prime heavy wethers made from 37s 6d to 40s 6d. Big-framed wethers, little better than forward stores, made to 355; small, fat and unfinished wethers made from 2Ss to 335. The ewe market was erratic, and prices eased towards the close of the sale. Extra choice ewes in small lots made well over 30s; heavy prime young ewes generally made from 29s to 31s; medium, 26s 6d to 28s 6d; others from 21s. A short yarding of fat pigs met with a ready sale, the demand being exceptionally keen toward the conclusion. Heavy choppers made £4 15s to £5 ss; extra heavy prime baconers up to £4 3s; heavy prime baconers, £3 14s to £3 19s; medium baconers, £3 10s to £3 13s; light, £3 6s to £3 8s; heavy porkers, £3 5s to £3 9s; medium porkers, £3 to £3 3s: light, £2 15s to £2 18s; small and unfinished, £2 5s to £2 12s. Stores were also wanted, selling up to £2 6s for best; smaller, £1 16s to £2 2s; slips, £1 8s to £1 13s: weaners, £1 2s to £1 ss; smaller, 16s to £l.