FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1921, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY.

THE MEAT MARKET.

IN NEW ZEALAND AND ENGLAND.

Mr. A. J. Lilley, of Warea, writes aa follows:

■Sir, —Enclosed is a late report of the Rugby Cattle Market, which was held on March 4. You will note, that there was a short supply of fat cattle; also that prices went up 5s per cwt. since sending you a report last week. Fat cattle here ate still coming down in price. I note in the reports here that the primest ox beef is only worth 38s per cwt. dead weight. At Rugby market is is 115 s per cwt. live weight. The comparison ns that: a prime bullock here weighing 8 cwt. (dead weight) would come to £l5 4s, The same bullock (live weight) would weigh 14 cwt., which at the Rugby market would realise £BO 10s. The difference in price ( £os 6s) would pay for the freezing and freight of several such carcases to England. *

There was a decreased supply of fat cattle last Monday, and a little better trade was noted, best quality touching 115 s per cwt, with an average price of 105 s; useful cattle, 100 s, and secondary quality 75s to 85s per cwt; other sorts 45s to 50s per cwt. An average consignment of dairy cattle came to hand, and a fair trade was noted, choicest quality selling more freely up to £6O per head, useful sorts £5O to £53, secondary quality £4O to £44 each, other sorts £2B to £33 per head. A much heavier pitch of store cattle was noted, sellers asking big prices, 'vblch rather militated against free sale, although several lots changed hands. Best forward steers were making £42 to £45 each, useful sorts £35 to £4O, heifers £4O to £44, secondary sorts £34 to £3B, and young stock £lB to £26 each. The usual supply of fat sheep found trade about the same as last week. Best quality turnip tegs were making up to £7 12s each, useful sorts £6 to £6 14s, escondary quality 93s to 107 s, and other sorts 50s to 65s each. In-lamb ewes made £5 to £7 each according to quality. Veal calves were pitched in average numbers, and trade was steady on late quotations. Best quality was returned at £lO 12s 6d, useful Sorts £6 to £B, secondary quality 90s to 105 s, and smalls 60s to 75s each. A slight decline in the number of bacon and porker pigs was noted, and trade was firmer. Best handyweigbt baconers were quoted to 34s per score, secondary sorts 32s 6d, heavies 26s to 28s, young sows 22s 6d to 255, best porkers 355; secondary quality 32s 6«1 per score. Store pigs were a light pitch, and prices compared favorably with late quotations. Best strong sorts £5 5s to £s'l2s 6d, useful pigs 80s to 995, and small sorts 30s to 55s per head; sows and pigs, £l3 and £22. A heavy pitching of poultry met a fair trade: Cockerels 10s to 12s 6d per couple, pullets 15s to 18s per couple, young hens 14s to 16s per couple, hens 8s to 10s per couple; ducks 14s per couple, hens and chickens 30s per lot. Large rabbits, 3s and 3s 6d, half-grown sorts 2s and 2s 6d each, smalls Is and Is 3d each. ‘‘Eclipse” seed potatoes, first pitch, 8s per cwt. Stock in the market included: 911 beast, 420 sheep, 56 calves, 151 pigs, and 3 horses.