STOCK AND PRODUCE

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1813, 4 November 1931, Page 7

STOCK AND PRODUCE

—oPIUCES AND MOVEMENTS. Colder weather has been experienced during the past week, with a light fall of snow on the high country. However, it has not remained very long, but lias considerably reduced the temperature, although not to any serious extent. There have been very beneficial rains inland, which have greatly assisted farmers by softening the ground which they are ploughing, but nearer the coast there has been very little rain and the ground is still very 'dry—a reversal of conditions which usually prevail in these districts at this season o~ tlie year. At the present time farmers arc busily engaged pushing'a head with the sowing of their oat crops and preparing the ground for their turnip crops. The oats which were sown early are now well through the ground and are looking extremely well. Generally speaking, the dairy farmer is finding that pastures are a bit on the short side yet, but the sheep farmer is more fortunate in that although there is not an over-supply of grass just now the ~i>astures arc very fresh and green and provide excellent grazing. Ucports to date show that there has been very litte mortality amongst the big lambs, although iu a few cases farmers have had losses, but so far they have not been so extensive as in the past few seasons.

The stock market still remains verv quiet and values at Addington and Burnside during the past week did not vary a great deal, although at Lorneville fat sheep prices improved considerably, while fat cattle remained firm at late rates. The entry of fat cattle at Lomeville was a fairly large one, the quality all over being very good. The yarding was comprised of some very good quality bullocks and heifers with the usual entry of medium weight cows. Competition was fairly keen with the result that the whole yarding was disposed of at auction, but values did not show any improvement and were on a par with those of last week. The quality of the yarding of fat sheep was hardly up to that of the previous week, but butchers seemed very keen to operate and as a result prices for good heavy wethers improved fully 2/G per head, while values for fat ewes also showed an appreciable rise. The second entry of spring lambs for this year was forward and comprised seven in number. They were disposed of at from IG/- to 17/- per head. caeese. The market is quoted as lifeless at GG/- to G7/-. The total imports from New Zealand, Canada and Australia for 1931 will probably be aLout 7000 tons less than in 11)30, and we should enter the New Year with slightly smaller stocks in the United Kingdom. There litis been no forward buying done during the past week as overseas buyers have withdrawn their limits. As the position is so uncertain there will probably be nothing doing in further forward buying until after the elections at Home.