COMMERCIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1921, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

MARKET REPORT. The Farmers’ Co-op. Auctioneering Co. (Hamilton branch) report as follows: Beef.—The supply of prime quality beef at the yards Is limited, with an upward tendency in value. There seems little doubt that the turnip beef will meet, with good demand. Mutton.—The market for mutton is steady with a firmer all round tone. Store Cattle.—ln general are dull and lifeless, without much prospect of improvement. Scarcity of feed is at the present juncture even a greater obstacle to business than restricted credit; indeed it is many years since Waikato met the approach of winter with such a destitute appearance. Contrary to custom at this time of year turnip cattle are not much enquired after, although no class of cattle seems to promise more profitable return to the glazier. Store Sheep.—The market for store sheep is fairly steady, although wethers have scarcely maintained the buoyancy indicated in our last report. There is, however, still enquiry for this class, and lines of good sheep can be disposed of. The demand for ewes In lamb which is generally observed about this period of the year is so far lacking. There is, indeed, amongst graziers, a general disinclination to purchase anything. This condition of things is scarcely to be wondered at in view of the disaster attending last season's operations and the uncertainty of the next. The fact, however, that a pre-war basis has now been reached should furnish a certain amount of hope and encouragement. Dairy Cattlp.—As was thought not unlikely in our last report, the demand for dairy heifers has eased off considerably. The recent advance is an annual recurrence with dairy cattle, and affords a good opportunity for disposal to those not wishing to carry their stock through the winter. Tie probability of a further upward movement during the next month or two, except for animals near profit, is not bright.

Pigs.—The tone of the pig market is much better According to returns, values at the yards for fat pigs work out at about 8d per lb Store pigs have also advanced but not to a corresponding extent, due, no doubt, to lack of milk supply. We quote as follows : Bullocks, heavy, prime, £lO 10s to £l2 ss, medium, £8 10s to £9 10s; cows, heavy, £7 15s to £lO 3s, medium, £4 10s to £6 10s, forward, £2 15s to £4 10s; steers, 3%-year, £6 to £7, 2%-year, £3 10s to £4 10s, 18mototiu. £1 IMj to £3; heifers, 18-kosUu.

£1 10s to £2 10s; cows, store, 15s to £1 15s; lieifes, R.W.8., 2%-year, Shorthorn, £7 to £9 ss, 2-year, £4 15s to £6 10s; calves, best, 15s to £1 Is, medium, 10s to 12s 6d, small

2s 6d to 7s 6d; dairy cows, best, at profit, £l2 to £lB, second quality, £7 to £10; wethers, prime 18s to 22s 6d, medium, 15s to 17s; ewes prime, 14s to 17s; wethers, forward, 4-tooth, 14s to 17s, 2-tooth, 12s to 15s, store, Ils 6d to 14s 6d; ewes, store, 5s to 7s 6d; lambs, fat, 14s to 16s €d, store, shorn, best, 7s 6d to Ils, medium 5s to 7s; pigs, baeoners, £4 to £6 ss, porkers, £2 to £3 ss, slips, 17s 6d to £1 10s, weaners, 5s to 10s 6d; houses, heavy draughts, £3O to £45, medium draughts, £22 to £3O, light draughts, £l7 to £2l 10s, harness horses, £7 to £l5, hacks £4 10s to £9.