SLIGHTLY EASIER

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20507, 25 May 1938, Page 13

SLIGHTLY EASIER

VALUES FOR SHEEP MARKET AT FRANKTON PIGS AGAIN IN REQUEST Th© buoyant market experienced for fat sheep at Frankton during recent sales was not repeated at the yards yesterday when values were just a shade easier. In other sections a keen demand was shown by an average bench of buyers who paid firm to higher values. There was not quite as much ox beef forward, but the quality in most cases was well up to standard. The top price of £l4 was paid for one attractive quality Shorthorn steer, other good sorts generally changing hands from £H 15s to £l3 ss. There was a fair entry of light Jersey steers and t/hese were cleared at prices ranging to £lO 15s. No difference in values was apparent, all classes being generally firm at last week's rates. The more attractive quality beef available in the cow and heifer beef section had the effect of brightening up the sale in this department and in some cases values represented an improvement on last sale. The tops of the offering made from £9 10s to £ll ss, with medium prime sorts being knocked down from £7 to £8 10s. Calves were in good request at unchanged money, while no variation was noted in boner cattle rates. Sheep and Pigs The quality of the fat sheep as a whole was not. up to the standard of last week and this, combined with the fact that a smaller bench of butchers was operating, resulted in a slight lowering of values. Southern sheep again made top market values, prime wethers from Hunterville being purchased at 34s 6d. Last week’s top price was 36s 6d, against 35s 9d yesterday. Ewes were similarly a shade cheaper, choice sorts selling from 23s to 24s 6d, ordinary fat lines from 18s 6d to 21s. Lambs were penned in lighter numbers and these, if anything. were also a little easier. Enthusiasm for fat pigs was unabated for the lighter entry yesterday and values for baconers moved to 89s, a shilling’s advance on last week's top money. Porkers were again quoted from 30s to 635. Something in the nature of a slump was experienced for store pigs, values declining from 4s to 9s per head. Price Summary The following table is a summary of prices realised for fat stook at the FranLton yards during the past fortnight:— BEEF (p«r 1001 b) This week Last week Extra prime ox 37/- to 39/- 37/-to 39/Prlme ox . 31/6t036/- 31/6 to 36/Plaln and Inferior ox . 24/- to 29/- 24/- to 2 9/Extra choice young cows and heifers . 31/-to 34/- 31/-to 34/Prlme cows . 25/-to 30/- 25/-to 30/Second quality COWS .... 23/- to 35/- 23/- to 25/MUTTON (per head) Extra prime wethers .. 33/-to 34/6 33/-to 36/6 Fat wethers . 28/6 to 30/- 29/6 to 32/Unflnished wethers .. 26/6 to 27/6 26/-to 28/Extra prime ewes 23/- to 24/6 22/6 to 24/9 Fat ewes . 18/6 to 21/- 19/6 to 21/6 Unfinished ewes 11/-to 14/- 13/6 to 17/Fat lambs . 19/6 to 22/6 18/6 to 24/6 PIGS (per head) Baconprs .. 66/-to 89/- 66/-to 88/Porkers .. 30/- to 63/- 30/-to 63/Weaners .. 6/-toll/- 8/- to 15/Sltps 12/- to 16/- 20/-to 25/Large stores . 20/-to 27/- 27/-to 31/6 Individual Sales Messrs. Robinson Bros., of Paterangi, sold the top-priced steer at £l4, other Shorthorn steers from the same vendors being auctioned from £lO 15s to £l3 ss. A line of 11 good sorts from Mr G. Barker, of Walton, was good buying from £lO 6s to £ll 2s, while another cheap pen was that sold by Messrs. Ngatuku, Ltd., at £l2. Cows and heifers from Messrs. Robinson Bros, were sold from £lO to £ll 15s, while the top consignment from Mr B. S. Ingram, of Rukuhia, made £ll Is. Other from Mr Ingram sold from £7 12s to £8 19s. Good cattle from Mr R. O. Griffon were knocked down from £8 15s to £9 Is. Yesterday's top price for wethers was obtained by Mr G. A. Pearce, of Putaruru, who sold sheep from 30s to 35s 9d.' The Hunterville vendor who obtained top money last week, yesterday sold more good sorts at 34s 6d. A line from Mr L. R. Johnstone, of Waitetuna. was cleared at 31s, while ewes from Mrs Campbell Johnstone were traded from 24s 6d to 24s 9d. For lambs from Mr R. Davidson buyers paid 245. Farmers’ Auctioneering Company The Farmers’ Co-operative Auctioneering Company Limited report on the sale as follows: — Only a medium entry of fat sheep came forward, comprised chiefly of wether mutton. Competition was hardly as keen as last week, and prices were a shade easier. Two trucks of prime wethers ex Hunterville averaged 33s lid. Ewe mutton was also in short supply, but values were not equal to last week. Ox beef was penned in good numbers, with competition firm at recent, quotations. A di\ift of 14 light prime steers from Mr C. E. Barker. Walton, sold from £lO 6s to £ll 2s. and averaged £1 o 12s 6d. The entry of cow and heifer beef was the largest, seen at Franktoq for some time. The quality was first, class, and a most satisfactory sale resulted. A draft of 39 prime fat Polled Angus and Hereford cows from

Strathmore Estate, Reporoa, sold under keen competition at prices ranging from £9 to £lO 7s. Fat Jersey and boner cows were also penned in large numbers with prices at recent firm rates. In the store section a large entry c-ame forward, with a ready sale for store steers. Breeding cows, however, were not in keen demand. There was a smaller yarding of fat pigs than last week. Baconers were again in keen demand and the top price of £4 9s was secured for all pens of topweight pigs. Well-finished porkers were firm at late rates, but unfinished sorts were easier. A good yarding of store and weaner pigs met with a dull sale, and prices were considerably lower than last week. Quotations: — Sheep: Heavy prime fat wethers, 34s to 34s 6d; medium, 31s 6d to 335; light fat wethers, 27s Gd to 28s 6d; heavy fat ewes, 18s 6d to 19s 6d; light, 15s to 16s; light fat lambs, 17s to 19s 9d. Cattle: Medium prime steers. £lO 19s to £ll 2s; light, £lO 6s to £lO 10s; heavy prime P.A. cows, £9 16s to £lO 7s; prime Hereford cows, £9 to £9 19s; heavy second quality cows, £6 2s 6d to £7 ss; fat Jersey cows, £6 10s to £8 2s 6d; others, £5 5s to £6 7s 6d; heavy boners, £3 10s to £4 10s; light, £2 to £3; 3£=-yr. Shorthorn steers £9 10s; yearling P.A.-cross steers, £4 15s to £5 3s; Shorthorn steer calves, £3 12s 6d; medium vealers, £2 11s to £3 ss. Pigs: Prime baconers, £4 4s to £4 9s; medium, £3 16s to £4 2s; light, £3 8s to £3 15s; heavy porkers, £2 12s to £3; medium, £2 5s to £2 10s; light, 36s to £2 2s; unfinished, 28s to 325; large stores, 24s to 27s 6d; smaller, 18s to 225; slips, 12s to 15s; weaners, 6s 6d to lls; sows to farrow, £3 to £3 " 6d. Loan and Mercantile Agency New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company Limited report on the sale as follows: We had a full entry of cow beef and veal which met with a keen demand, values showing a marked increase on last week’s rates. An average yarding of store cattle met with sieady competition, values remaining firm. Heavy fat cows medium quality made £8 4s to £9; lighter, £7 to £8; good quality medium-weight cows, £7 to £7 17s 6d; light, £6 5s to £7; fat Jerseys cows, £6 15s to £7 10s; others, £5 12s 6d to £6 ss; killable cows, £4 17s Gd to £5 9s; best vealers, £3 15s to £4; medium, £2 10s to £3 ss; small, £1 to £1 15s; forward conditioned steers up to £10; 18-months steers, up to £5 7s; store cows, £3 18s to £4 8s; heavy boners, £2 18s to £3 8s; others, £1 15s to £2 7s 64. For an average yarding of fat sheep the market showed a sharp decline on last week’s sale of from 3s to 4s per head. Fat wethers brought 29s to 325; light, 25s 6d to 275; fat ewes, 18s to 19s 6d; fat lambs, 22s 9d to 245; light, 19s 6d to 21s. There was a light entry of fat pigs. Competition in this section was very keen, values being well maintained. Heavy baconers realised £3 17s to £4 4s; medium, £3 9s to £3 16s; light, £3 to £3 8s; heavy porkers, £2 14s to £3; medium, £2 6s to £2 12s; light, £1 17s to £2 ss; unfinished, £1 lls to £1 16s. Wc had a larger entry of store pigs than last week. Competition was good, values generally showing no alteration, a total clearance was effected. Medium stores sold from 22s to 255; slips, 13s to 17s 6d; best weaners, 8s to 10s 6d; others, 6s to 7s 6d. Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd. Messrs Dalgety and Company, Limited report on the sale as follows: Wethers were mostly in evidence in the fat sheep yarding, few ewes being penned. The market was slightly easier than last week, but good sheep sold well. Heavy fat wethers brought 34s to 35s 94; medium, 30s to 33s 3d; light 27s 6d to 29s 3d; medium fat ewes 21s 9d to 23s 3d; light 18s to 19s 6d; medium fat lambs 20s to 21s 3d; store wethers, very light condition, 15s.

A good yarding of fat cattle came forward, prices being on a par with last week for all well-fattened sorts. Medium heavy fat steers sold from £l2 to £l2 JOs; medium fat. heifers £8 10s to £9 ss: medium fat cows £7 5s to £8 2s 6d; fat Jersey cows £6 5s to £6 15s; others £4 10s to £5 15s; medium Jersey heifers, .yearlings, £2 10s to £2 15s; good runners £4 10s to £5 2s 6d; medium £3 5s to £3 17s 6d; vealers 30s to 37s 6d; good calved Shorthorn cross heifers, £9 10s to £lO 10s; springing Jersey heifers medium £6 5s to £7 10s.

Only a small yarding of fat pigs came' forward with a medium yarding of stores. Fat pigs met a ready sale. The yarding consisted of a good proportion of unfinished pigs. Stores and weaners showed a decline on last week's sale. Prime top-weight baconers made up to £4 9s; prime heavy baconers, £4 4s to £4 7s; heavy do., £3 18s to £4 4s; prime medium baconers, £3 12s to £3 18s; medium baconers £3 5s to £3 12s; prime light baconers, £3 to £3 ss; light do., £2 15s to £3; heavy porkers to light baconers, £2 10s to £2 15s; prime heavy porkers £2 6s to £2 12s: heavy porkers. £2 2s to £2 6s; prime medium 38s to £2 2s; medium porkers. 32s to 38s; prime light porkers, 28s to 345; light porkers, 22s to 28s; choppers medium £2 10s to £3 10s; large stores, 25s to 30s; medium ditto, 20s to 255; small store pigs 16s to 20s; best slips 12s to 18s; best weaners 9s to 12s; medium weaners 5s to 9s. Messrs G. W. Vercoe & Co. Ltd. Messrs G. W. Vercoe and Co. Ltd. report on the sale as follows: — The yarding of fat sheep was a small one and consisted chiefly nf plain and unfinished sheep and prices for these were easier. Prime medium-weight wethers.sold from 30s to 31s: lighter weights, 28s to 29s 6d: light to 275; heavy prime ewes, 23s 6d to 24s 9cl; lighter prime, 21s to 22s 6d; heavy fat ewes, 18s to 20s Gd; mediumweights, 16s to 17s 9d; light and unfinished, 12s to 14s; heavy fat lambs |to 24s 6d; lighter weights to 225. A very heavy yarding of calves met with keen competition and prices remained firm. Heavy prime, runners sold from £5 10s to £6 15s; lighter. £4 10s to £5 7s 6d: heavy prime vealers, £3 10s to £4 ss; lighter prime, £2 15s to £3'7s 6d; medium -weights. £2 to £2 12s fid: light, up to 30s. The demand for a full entry of ox beef was fairly keen and prices showed little alteration. A draught of prime fat S.H. bullocks e,\ Messrs Robin® Bros, of Paterangi, sold to £11; while crossbred cattle e,_\ Mr Wilfred Johnstone of Tama here, sold to £lO 15s. Heavy prime bullocks soli to £ti: prime medium-weights. £l2 10s to £l3 3s: prime light-weights to £J2 2s 6d; well-finished Jersey-cross bullocks to £lO 15s; others to £9. A large yarding of cow and heifer beef attracted keen competition and prices showed an improvement. Prime S.H. cows and heifers ex Messrs Robinson Bros, of Paterangi sold to £ll ss; prime P.A. cows ex Mr R. B. S. Ingram of Rukuhia to £ll Is: medium-weight P.A cows ex Mr R. G. Griffin of Tauwhare to £9 is; heavy fat S.H. cows ex Mr

P. Murphy of Eureka to £lO. Heavy prime oows brought £lO to £ll ss; lighter prime, £9 to £9 18s; mediumweights, £B-to £8 15s; light, £7 to £7 Jss; prime medium-weight heifers, £9 to £10: lighter weights to £8 15s; unfinished to £7 10s; heavy fat Jersey cows, £7 to £8 10s; medium-weights to £6 15s; light to £5 12s 6d. An exceptionally heavy entry of store cattle met with a fair demand and practically a total clearance was effected. 2£-yr. store condition P.A. steers made £8 2s 6d to £8 16s; 3-year-old m.c. steers to £8 9s; mixed coloured 2-year-old steers to £6 14s; small 18-mths. steers to £5 Is; small 18-mths. P.A. heifers to £4 11s; small 18-mths. Hereford heifers to £4 7s; P.A. and Hereford cows in calf to P.A. bulls to £5 ss; yearling Jersey heifers to £3 18s; yearling Friesian heifers to £3 15s; small cross-bred heifers to £2 10s; empty 2-yr. Jersey heifers to £3 ss; forward-conditioned S.H. and Friesian cows, £5 5s to £6; others to £4 15s; heavy boners, £3 15s to £4 12s 6d; medium-weights, £3 to £3 12s 6d; light up to £2 15s; Jersey and Jerseycross in-calf heifers to £8 ss.

A small entry of fat pigs sold under keen competition and prices remained firm. Heavy baconers sold from £4 4s to £4 Cs; medium-weights, £3 18s to £4 3s; light, £3 8s to £3 17s; unfinished, £3 to £3 7s; heavy porkers, £2 15s to £3; medium-weights, £2 8s to £2 14s; light, £2 to £2 7s; unfinished, 32s to 38s. An average entry of store pigs sold at prices slightly below those of last week. Best stores sold from 24s to 28s; others, 19s to 235; best slips, J6s to 18s; others, 12s to 15s; good weaners, 8s to 11s; others up to 7s 6d. KOROKONUI CLEARING SALE Messrs Dalgety and Company Limited report as follows on a successful clearing sale on account of Mr J. Middlebrook of Korokonui:— There was an average attendance and bidding was free on all classes of stock, while the sundries and implements also sold well. The cows came forward in good condition, and, showing fairly well forward, sold readily. Good Jersey 2nd and* 3rd calvers showing well in calf made £9 15s to £lO ss; good Holstein Jersey-cross 2nd and 3rd calvers, £9 5s to £9 15s; Jersey cows, July calvers, £8 10s to £9; others, £6 10s to £7 15s; late calvers, £5 10s to £6; three-quarter cows, £3 JOs to £4 15s; small yearling Jersey heifers, £2 17s Gd; bulls, £5 5s to £7 7s; bay mare, 9 years, any work, £4O; bay gelding, 4 years, chains, £39 10s; black gelding, 7 years, chains, £32; bay gelding, aged, all work, £3B 10s. Selecting a Brood Sow In selecting a sow for breeding one should know all about her family, average number of litter, speed in maturity, ajtd economy in food consumption. When these points are known the sow must be judged on formation, health, markings, etc. A most Important point also is the number of teats, which should never be fewer than twelve —i.e., six pairs; if fewer it does not matter how large a litter she may farrow, serious wastage is bound to occur because she will not be able to rear satisfactorily more pigs than the number of teats she has on her underline, since, as a rule, after the first day or so each teat Is the special property of one piglet, with possibly the rearmost a communal one. The teats should be prominent, well placed and evenly distributed. A stunted or small teat in a young gilt, will be blind, or, at least, almost milkless alter parturition, and hence useless; by well placed is meant that they should be within reasonable limits to the fore of the animal, for it is the front teats that usually yield the most milk. Teats evenly distributed or spaced both ways imply that each quarter of the udder will have a fair chance of developing, whereas if two occur close together the odds are that one will eventually increase in size before and after farrowing.