STOCK MARKETS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 365, 20 February 1937, Page 3

STOCK MARKETS.

WEEKLY REVIEW. Little Changes Reported This Week. i I * No change of consequence has been observed in the live-stock market since last week. However, it is clear that the ewe section has begun to wane, and while no great toll on values for | genuine age-marked ewes is noticeable, the easing in the demand makes changing more difficult at vendors’ ideas of values, especially in regard to aged ewes, where the need for a heavier exodus through the medium of exporters is becoming more apparent as the season advances. On the other hand, the demand for store lambs has not eased, and values for these are film at late rates. Ewe lambs, however, while keenly sought,- show a* 1 slight easing on earlier rates. Store wethers have lost none of their earlier favour, and the good numbers that : have been dealt with during the week j have met a very free sale. Exporters’ competition accounts for the greater part of the entries in the 1 reject-cow section, although anything suitable for fattening is not waning! for competition from graziers, and | values generally are firm at late rates. 1 Interest in the dairy classes shows an J increasing tendency, and the strength ; of the enquiry suggests that a more relative position in the general ap-I preciation in values may be estab-1 lished in trade with this class during ! the current season. Sales of dairy j heifers have already been made at | much in advance of last year’s rates, i and with the lesser numbers that ; seem available an improving tendency ■ may justly be anticipated. Few weaner j Jersey heifers have yet been marketed, but enquiry through the medium of private treaty has accounted for the changing of many small lines at prices ranging from £2/10/- to £3/10/-, according to quality. In most cases top cattle are sought and from £3 to £3/5/- is the order for these. No alteration in the fat cattle section can be reported. Export buyers’ competition assists the stability of values for the average numbers ! of Jersey sorts that come under the hammer, and realisations range from £4 to' £5/10/-, according to weight and quality. Quotations of P.A. and Hereford cows and heifers range from I £7/15/- to £9, sales since last reporting including a line of heavy I prime P.A. 4ieifers at £9. FAT SHEEP. The fat sheep section also displays a firm market, the appreciation in breeding ewe values occasioning exporters some difficulty to secure their wants at the schedule offering. However, with most of the demand now‘ satisfied in the breeding section, ex porters may have from now on a wider range from which to make selections. At the moment fat wethers for local consumption are quoted at from 28/- to 30/-, while ewes sell at from 19/- to 21/-. PIGS. | Good yardings of pigs are being 1 dealt with at all our Haymarket sales, but the majority of the entries consis/; of the weaner and slip classes, and a definite easing in the demand for these has resulted in a further drop in realisations. Good-condition-ed stores, however, continue to sell well on a par with late rates. At the New Plymouth Haymarket on Friday a capacity yarding was dealt with. Good porkers made to £2/14/-, lighter 36/- to 36/6, good-conditioned stores 28/- to 30/-, smaller sorts 21/6 to 24/-, slips 15/6 to 17/-: good weaners, 11/to 13/6; average sorts, 7/- to 9/-; i small and weedy, 3/- to 5/6.