Live Weight Prices of Cattle. 



555 



value by the aggregate weight of the animals for which 

 particulars are furnished. 



In 1903* the average prices of prime or first quality animals 

 declined by is. 8d. per cwt, and of second quality by 





Prime or First Quality. 



Good or Second Quality. 



Years. 



Number. 



Price per 

 Cwt. 



Number. 



Price per 

 Cwt. 



1898 



36,898 



s. d. 

 33 8 



45,854 



s. d. 

 31 10 



1899 ... ; ... 



43 ? 448 



35 6 



37,964 



33 4 



1900 ... 



43,905 



37 0 



36,779 



34 10 



1901 



41,126 



36 0 



39,903 



34 2 



1902 



50,755 



38 0 



36,838 



35 10 



1903 



46,153 



36 4 



40,592 



3+ 4 



is. 6d. per cwt. compared with 1902, but it still remains from 

 2s. 8d. to 2s. 6d. per cwt. above the level of 1898, which, judging 

 by the evidence given in the previous table, was probably the 

 minimum year since these returns have been collected. 



In addition to the above, figures ascertained monthly in a 

 similar manner are also available, and are shown for 1903 and 

 the two preceding years in the table on the next page. The 

 course of these prices is also indicated by the annexed diagram. 



In December, 1902, the price recorded for the best beasts was 

 38s. per cwt. ; in the following month it fell to 37s. 8d., and, as 

 will be seen from the diagram, it remained comparatively 

 steady, though with a falling tendency, until July, but in 

 August a marked decline became apparent. In September the 

 price was 35s. 4d., and in November 34s. iod. per cwt./ the 

 lowest point, not only of the year, but of any month since 

 October, 1899. The usual rise in the price of fat stock occurred 

 in December, but it was much less in amount than in the two 

 preceding years, and the year closed with values at 35s. 2d. 

 per cwt. for first quality and 33s. 4d. per cwt. for second quality 

 animals. 



