PRICE LEVELS HELD

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1940, Page 2

PRICE LEVELS HELD

TARANAKI STOCK MARKET j QUIETER TONE SHOWN

In the main there is little alteration to report in regard to price levels throughout the various departments of ■ the stock market, advises the Farmers' Co-op. in its review of the past week's j operations. ,In some instances a quieter week's trading is reported. In the dairy section at such districts as Stratford, Kaponga and Opunake, where the season is jsomewhat later, buyers are in the field .strongly for good types of dairy cows and heifers close to profit and in profit. This was the position this week when good quality cattle sold to £16 15s, with .various other useful cattle selling from ,£12 10s to £15 10s. These prices are again equivalent to those ruling the pre^ious week and despite the advanced .nature of the dairy season, no weaken- : ing tendency is noticeable in values for good classes of dairy cattle. Just how ilong it will remain so is problematical, but. at the moment good saies continue. Then again. all cattle suitable for next season's dairy replacements continue to solicit keen inquiry and empty two-year-old heifers of quality, together with all young sound empty cows, still mainlain their popularity and late rates have again been fully maintained. Saies of yearling heifers are somewhat spasmodic. due no doubt . to the fact that cattle of quality are not offering in any great numters and vendors are asking high prices for medium cattle. A nominal inquiry for all classes of store sheep continues, but trade is hampered on account of the lack of quotations. There is very little offering locally and not a great deal is being quoted from outside districts. However, saies made yesterday were: Best ewe hoggets to 35s, with other useful ewe hoggets 32s 6d; best well-grown wether hoggets to 24s, with other lines at 22s; ewes and lambs all counted, 15s and 16s for full-mouthed lines, with younger sheep at slightly increased figures. Values have shown no easing tendency in the fat sheep section. It was thought some weeks ago that peak prices in this' section had been reached, but it appears that if supplies do not . come forward in better numbers than they are at present, this market will remain very firm, with prices perhaps showing a further increase on those ruling to-day. At the moment no wethers of any consequence are to be had and very few butchers' hoggets and butchers' ewes are coming

forward. A range of values sees prime heavy weight wethers selling at £2 and some cases in advance of this, with average weight sheep realising 36s to 38s. I Light and unfinished kinds realised 34s, fat hoggets, according to weight, 30s to 32s; lighter sheep, 25s to 27s; prime heavy ewes, 32s down to 30s, according to quallity; lighter sheep, 28s. | Beef values are again quoted firm at | last week's rates, no great change being | shown. Weather conditions are helping the fattening of cattle, but it would appear that no great change in supplies will be noticed for a month or so yet 'and thus bring about an easement of prices in buyers' favour. Saies of prime i P.A. and Hereford cows and heifers are ' made to £11 10s, and lighter cattle, £9 1 10s. Best Jersey classes maintain their I former buoyancy and realise £8, and I over average weight cattle of this class [ £7 15s, lighter and plainer, £7. A firm range of values continues for all classse of station-bred cattle, but a quieter week's trading is reported. The buik of the cattle fairs are now completed and a good many graziers are still left with orders not filled and with quotations locally remaining obscure, they must get their requirements from outside districts. This has comprised the major class of business for the week in this section and some excellent transactions have been dealt with. Auctions since the last report embody those held at Opunake, Manaia, Okaiawa and Stratford. The most outstanding saies were those of dairy cows and heifers at Opunake and Stratford yards, where best classes sold to £16 15s, £16 5s and £16. It was also noticeable that later calving kinds were more sought after, resulting in an appreciation of values for this class. Average yardings of store cattle were also dealt with and best fat cows sold to £8 10s, others £8, average weights at £7. Best young sound empty cows of quality made £5 to £5 15s, medium classes £4 15s; young paddock^cows, £6 to £6 5s; lighter, £5; boner classes, £2 to £3; yearling heifers, £6 to £7; empty two-year-old heifers, to £6 10s; good three-year-old dairy bulls, £15 to £17. These values must be considered on a par with recent saies. A f tlio Tn crl outnnrl calo rtn "\^7/^rIroracr?!3Ar

last a large entr;- of dairy cattle and store cattle was dealt with. In the former section close to profit and in milk kinds met with strong competition, even J though quality was lacking compared J with that of earlier entries. Best calving kinds sold to £15, with numerous heifers close to profit selling at up to £13 15s. There was also a good sale for any quality Jersey yearling heifers and | a line of these was disposed of at £8 1 7s. Average cattle sold from £6 to £7, l sound empty cows to £6 10s, with others j according to quality selling from £5 to I £5 15s. Empty two-year-old heifers (good cattle) made, to £7, with other saies at £6 5s, £6 10s, £6 11s. A large entry of store cows changed hands at late rates. The entry of good butchers' cattle was small and what was forward met with keen competition at values in advance of recent saies. The large entry met with strong competition and an allround satisfactory clearance was effected. Good yardings of pigs continue to be dealt with at the various centres and values are equal to those of recent saies. I The demand is chiefl.y for choice weanI ers and best stores. In some cases pigs | of this class have been sold under very spirited bidding and values were: Choice weaners, 30s to 32s; good weaners, 25s to 27s: small. 20s to 22s; weedy, 16s; light porkers. £2 8s; heavy porkers. £2 10s to £2 15s: 'light baconers, £2 5s: sows • first litter ). £4 15s to £5 15s; sows (second litter). £6 to £8; toars (serviceable • age), £5 to £6; pedigree, £10 10s.