HEAVY ENTRIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21209, 4 September 1940, Page 11

HEAVY ENTRIES

MARKETS WELL SUPPLIED WAIKATO STOCK VALUES DULLER INQUIRY FOR STORES Heavy entries of fat cattle tend a shade cheaper. Store cattle are hardly in such keen demand. Dairy cattle are quieter of sale. Fat sheep are usually weaker to firm. Store sheep are sometimes dearer. Dearer rates are reported for baconers, while pork is firm. Store pigs are dear. The flooding of fat stock markets in the Waikato during the past fortnight inevitably had the effect of depressing values. The drop could hardly be described as a slump in values for, after all, prices had been unusually high for such a time of the year and some falling away would have been hardly surprising in any case. A smaller bench of buyers showed little enthusiasm for a good entry of grown store cattle at Morrinsville on Friday, the sale being in marked contrast to those that had been held just prior to it in other areas. Indications were that graziers had already stocked up at previous auctions. Ihe demand for dairy cattle has not been marked during the week, but the inquiry for this class was so keen over such a long period that some dulling of inquiry was hardly unexpected. Humid weather, accompanied by frequent showers, has made conditions ideal for growth throughout the district, and indications are that record crops of ensilage and hay will be harvested.

Values Again Low er With extra heavy entries still coming forward, the beef market has been given no chance to register any improvement. The depression in values has been more marked in the case of ox beef, the market being quite unable to cope with the overflow entries coming forward. Despite the large numbers being marketed, the proportion of good quality cattle has been fairly substantial at most yards. Light cattle on the whole have been dearer than heavy sorts, lower values for instance not being so evident in the case of light dairy descriptions. Store cattle have perhaps not been so keenly sought, and at some centres during the week the remand was dull. Prices, however, had been exceptionally high and it was surprising that such levels were maintained for the period they were in view of the fairly substantial drop in beef values. The very favourable spring and the assurance of adequate feed, of course, made graziers anxious to stock up as soon as possible.

Sheep Values Held No drastic change has been experienced in the fat sheep market, but there has been no enthusiasm about competition. Only a very light entry at the central yards yesterday enabled values to be maintained- A larger entry than usual at the Morrinsville sale on Friday did not meet with a very keen reception, a big penning of good quality hoggets selling cheaply in comparison with previous weeks. Butchers had been no small considerable factor in maintaining brisk competition, but at recent sales they have not been so evident. Some highly satisfactory values from a vendor’s point of view have been experienced in the store sheep market and in some instances there has been little difference between fat and store price. Store hoggets at the Morrinsville sale on Friday met with a surprisingly good sale, one line of 320 Coast sorts selling at 24s 2d. Store wethers at the same sale made to 27s 7d.

Keener Pig Market There has been a keener edge to fat pig competition during the week and increasing activity in this department is becoming apparent.