Stock Market Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 368, 31 May 1928, Page 12

Stock Market Review

HEALTHY TONE CONTINUES OVERSEAS VALUES FIRM Of principal interest over the week to graziers and dealers has been the continued reports regarding the healthy tone in the London frozen meat market. With the 1927-28 freezing season on its last legs, however, any small improvement overseas can have little immediate effect on the New Zealand fat stock market. That will be regulated by the home consumption demand for the next three months at least. Values for most classes of stock throughout the Dominion remain at a fairly steady level, with the general trend upwards. At Westfield yesterday, while slightly erratic values ruled in certain sections, prices for most classes of stock held practically at late levels.

An average yarding of cattle came forward. There was a falling-off in the numbers sent in by distant graziers, particularly from the Bay of Plenty and the North, but well-known South Auckland vendors were responsible for several lines of particularly well-finished medium-weight cattle. No extra prime heavy-weight cattle came forward. Erratic Ox Beef Market Values for ox beef were slightly erratic, and while the general level of the market was up to last week’s, there were times when medium and inferior finished cattle sold or were passed in at decidedly lower values, the difference being up to 20s a head in some cases. It would not be correct to state, however, that there was an allround quotable decline in values. Simply the market was slightly easier than last week. Quality cow beef sold at values fully up to last week’s. An average yarding of mostly light to medium-weight sheep, generally showing more finish than usual, came forward. No extra heavy big-framed lines were included in the offering. The bulk of the yarding was drawn from near Auckland graziers. Sheep Prices Firm A firm tone prevailed throughout the sale, and values generally were fully up to late rates. % Lambs sold readily at late rates, extra choice lots in isolated instances making up to 395. Baconers, in short supply, made, slightly firmer values. Porkers sold on a level with late rates. Good quality vealers sold freely, though there was a slightly easier tone in the market for plain sorts. Throughout the Dominion a firm demand is maintained for all good sorts of store sheep and cattle. At recent Auckland provincial sales buyers have been present from districts as far south as Wanganui. Hawke’s Bay and Povertwy Bay markets are reported to be holding firm, with every tendency upward. Position in the South Even in the South, with the cold weather upon the land, store sheep, though coming forward to the sales in decidedly smaler numbers, still meet with a sound market at late levels. At Addington yesterday, except in fat cattle, fat sheep and pigs, the yardings of stock were somewhat smaller than last week. There was a fallingoff in the quality of the store sheep that came forward, and there was a weaker-demand than has been the case this season. There was a large attendance of buyers. The numbers and quality of fat lambs penned were below previous weeks, but there was, nevertheless, a very keen demand and sales were made in some casesat over the schedule rates. A large yarding of fat sheep was about the best of the season for quality, and a very sound sale resulted. There was little or no change in the values of beef, although it was considered cows and rough sorts were easier than last week. The sale throughout was a good one.

There was an over-supply of pigs, and sales of both fats and stores were made at reduced rates.

Good Dairy Cattle Wanted More attention is being paid to the dairy cattle market, and a particularly healthy tone is registered at sales now being held in increasing numbers throughout the country. Young cattle from recognised butterfat producing herds are finding a ready market, and there is every indication that there will be a strong demand for this class of animal over the next two or three months. Westfield Values

at yesterday ranged as follow:

- prime steers > £l3 5s to £l6. lighter prime, £ll it s Gd to I's 6d; light prime, £lO to £ll 15 S - unfinished and small, £7 to £9 15s; extra in aV ? p F. l iV e -, 2’ oun , s cows and heifers, £9 10s to £l2 17s Gd: heavy prime, £7 15s to £9 ss; lighter, £6 5s to £7 10s; light ?ri4 iiVia £e 3s 6d: other co "’ s > ****

Calves.—Runners made £5 to £7 7s Gd for a specially well-done runner from James Taylor, Bardowie, Cambridge, vealers, £3 16s to £4 6s; medium, £o 4s to £3 14s; light, £2 10s to £3; smaller, £2 to £2 8s; small and fresh to°£2 ed ’ 5S t 0 £1 18S; roueh calves, £l

Sheep. Extra heavy prime wethers made £2 to £2 Is 3d, a few extra prime making £2 3s; heavy prime, £1 17s Gd to £1 19s 9d; medium to heavy prime, £1 16s to £1 17s 3d; light to medium prime, £1 14s to £1 15s 9d; unfinished, £1 Js to £1 13s Gd; extra heavy prime young ewes, £1 14s to £1 15s 3d; heavy prime ewes, £1 12s to £1 13s 9d; lighter prime, £1 10s to £1 11s 9d; other killable ewes, £1 Gs to £1 9s.

Lambs.—Extra heavy prime lambs made £1 11s to £1 13s, an odd extra special lamb making up to £1 19s; heavy prime lambs, £1 Ss to £1 10s 6d; lighter prime, £1 6s to £1 7s 9d; light prime, £1 4s to £1 5s 9d; plain, £1 0s 9d to £1 3s 9d.

Pigs.—Choppers sold at £2 to £3; heavy and medium baconers, £4 6s to £4 14s; light baconers and heavy porkers, £3 Ss to £4 4s; medium porkers and light porkers, £2 11s to £3 3s; small and unfinished porkers, £1 18s to £2 3s. Store pigs were penned in small numbers, values being at late quotations. Large stores made £1 to £1 6s; slips, 12s to ISs; weaners, 3s to 11s.