VERY MILD WINTER.

Auckland Star, 9 July 1928, Page 15

VERY MILD WINTER.

STOCK DOING WELL

SHORTAGE OF STORE CATTLE.

DAIRY CATTLE SELLING WELL.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

HAMILTON, this day,

Owing to a very mild .winter fat cattle are not as dear to-day as six weeks ago, there being an over supply, for local requirements. During the past fortnight there has been inquiry for freezing, and small quantities have been bought for that purpose. From present indications it does not look as though extreme prices will rule for this class of stock this winter.

Of store cattle there is a big short-' age, especially in the male line. The continual killing of calves and veal for export is telling a tale, and when spring comes graziers will find difficulty in fulfilling requirements. Dairy cattle are selling well, and at all clearing sales competition has been keen for all good sorts. Fat sheep, as in the case of beef, are cheaper by some shillings per head than a few weeks ago wh<n there was apparently a shortage, but this was far from the mark, there being very large quantities of f<vt sheep offering and likely to be offered during the winter. Lambs are still being bought by different freezing companies, and prices are the best known for some years. The demand for store sheep is good, although prices slightly easier. In the vase of wethers they are now being sold about their true worth.

Hoggets are in short supply, and are bringing good prices wherever offered. Breeding ewes are selling fairly well, especially those in lamb to Southdown rams. At present these appear to be the best buying of all stock, as, with prospects of good wool, fat lamb prices still leave a good margin of profit to graziers.

Prices of fat and store pigs have firmed considerably, and there promises 'to be large quantities of these in the Waikato during the year.