THE LIVESTOCK MARKETS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 15

THE LIVESTOCK MARKETS

OPENING SHEEP FAIRS GOOD ENTRIES AND READY CLEARANCES The Farmers’ Co-op., in their weekly market report, advise as follows: The past week’s activities and business has confined itself chiefly to the opening sheep fairs, together with the usual yard auctions of store cattle. In the case of the former yardings have been larger than those of last year, mainly due to the fact that speculative business and forward transactions have been absent to a marked extent. With the bulk of the lines coming on the open market, purchasers are assured of obtaining a wide variety of the best sheep offering in each district, and during the week prices have proved to be quite up to expectations, in nearly every instance entries being readily cleared. In some cases entries have shown evidence of the adverse weather conditions that prevailed during shearing, necessitating sheep being in hand for long periods, being later shorn, and thus losing a great deal of Vieir “usual bloom.’ : ’ Nevertheless, a fair standard of value has now been established with some sales showing a firming tendency on opening rates.

With buyers attending the fairs, it has curtailed the paddock sales to a certain degree. Business through this channel does not show the volume of previous years.

Lambs continue to comprise a good share of the yardings and good forward conditioned kinds are meeting with free competition, and again the enquiry for well-grown ewe lambs is keen, as not a great many top sheep are offering. A range of values is as follows:—Rape lambs 14s to 15s, with good mediums 12s 6d to 13s. Wellgrown ewe lambs have sold to 19s, but the majority of sales for medium kinds have been centred around 14s to 15s 6d.

Other branches of business—for instance that of yard auctions of store cattle—continue to see large entries of this class dealt with, and a firm demand for all kinds is at present ruling. Works’ buyers are operating at full schedule rates for all lines suitable for export. Trade in Jersey weaner heifers is soliciting occasional enquiry and several lines have changed hands at from £3 to £3 10s, the latter price for topquality cattle.

The fat cattle market is firm at late rates, and little to no alteration is reported as compared with last week. This may also be said with regard to the fat sheep market, where values still remain at 20s for prime wethers, and 11s to 12s for good quality ewes. Details of our Mangamingi fair have already been published. Entries in the pig section continue to come forward in large numbers. The demand for baconers, porkers and good-conditioned stores continues firm, but an easing in prices for weaners is discernible. The season is well advanced now and a drop in prices is only to be expected. HINTERVILLE SALE The N.Z. Farmers’ Co-op. Distributing Co., Ltd., report a good yarding of sheep at the above sale on Thursday. The entry comprised of a few pens of breeding ewes which came forward in excellent condition. Mr. John Lambert’s annual draft of 5-year ewes realised 20s 9d, and Mr. Ralph Still’s 4-year ewes made up to 21s; 4-tooth ewes realised up to 26s 6d. All lambs sold readily at late rates and taking all round, the sale was, if anything, a shade firmer than previous sales. We quote: Four-year ewes to 21s; | good 5-year ewes to 20s 9d; good s.m. ewes 12s to 13s 4d; fair ditto Ils; aged ditto 7s 9d to 9s 6d; b.f. lambs 15s 7d to 13s 3d; medium 12s; wether lambs 13s 7d; fair ditto 7s Id; ewe lambs 18s to 14s.