956 Live and Dead Meat Trade in January. [feb> 



THE LIVE AND DEAD MEAT TRADE IN 

 JANUARY. 



A. T. Matthews. 



Fat Cattle.— The average prices of fat cattle in the English markets 

 in January continued to show a downward tendency, but this state- 

 ment may, to some extent, be discounted by allowing something for the 

 special figures realised for Christmas beef in December. Markets in 

 January did, in fact, exhibit remarkable steadiness throughout at the 

 lower levels reached. For instance, first quality Shorthorns never 

 varied as much as a farthing per stone in their weekly average, which 

 came out every time at 8s. per 14 lb. stone. The. averages foi this, 

 breed were, first quality, 8s. against 85. id. in December; second 

 quality, 75. 3§d. against ys. 3%d. } and third, 6s. qd. against 65. 5^. 

 Herefords averaged Ss. 2\d. and ys. 6d. against Ss. 2\d. and 75. 6%d., 

 and Devons, Ss. 3d. and ys. yd. against Ss. 3^. and 75. yd, The 

 average for Welsh Runts was ys. iofd. and ys. ^\d., and for Polled 

 Scots Ss. 2.\d. and ys. gd. per stone. 



The quotations for Shorthorns at the Metropolitan Market have 

 been relatively high owing to the excellent supplies of " Norfolks," as 

 the Irish-bred Shorthorns are there called, and the high reputation 

 they enjoy with London buyers for weighing well after slaughter. In 

 the second week their top quotation was Ss. gd., the highest recorded 

 in any English market, and in no week did the best of them fetch 

 less than 8s. $d., while ordinary Shorthorns, classed as first quality, 

 were only making ys. yd. in some important country markets. This 

 is a striking commentary on the results of good feeding. 



Veal Calves. — Calves of good quality were rather scarce and fetched 

 high prices in some of the northern markets, the extreme being lod. 

 and cjfd. per lb. The average in about twenty British markets was 

 8fd. for prime quality and y\d. for second. 



Fat Sheep. — There was a distinct and very satisfactory improvement 

 in the sheep trade, amounting to about \d. per lb. over the rates of 

 December. In the English markets Downs averaged S^d., yid., and 

 6d. per lb., and Longwools 8d., yd., and $\d., and these figures have 

 not been exceeded in any monthly average since April last. In the week 

 ending January 26th, six English markets quoted " Downs " at gd. 

 per lb., and one (Salford) at gid., while at Norwich and Hereford the 

 top price was Sd. This shows a very wide difference for sheep classed as 

 Downs, but as I have before remarked, the term is an elastic one, 

 and is applied to breeds which vary in value to the extent of fully \d. 

 per lb. For instance, the London quotation in that week was 8\d., 

 but had there been choice Southdowns on offer there is not the slightest 

 doubt they would have easily realised gd. per lb. It is evident that the 

 turnip crop is holding out well, and there is a much better demand for 

 store sheep. In the last week fat lambs were quoted in three markets, 

 viz., Dorchester at ud. and at Leeds and Wakefield at 15. 3d. per lb. 



Fat Pigs. — The fall in bacon pigs which became so pronounced in 

 December was continued in January. The average in about thirty 

 British markets was 75. i\d. and 6s. yd. per 14 lb., denoting a further 

 decline of i^d. on first and 2d. on second quality. 



