TARANAKI STOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 224, 21 September 1932, Page 4

TARANAKI STOCK.

HEAVY DEALING IN CATTLE. MOKE RAIN WANTED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday. The past week's activities in tlie Taranaki stock markets indicate that there will be a definite shortage in Taranaki of Kood cattle for breeding purposes . this year, since most of those sold latterly have gone out of the province. Generally the demand has been in excess of supply, due largely to the improved prices of dairy produce and to the way pastures have advanced, particularly where there has been topdressing, under the influence of mild spring. There has been an absence of rain, and there is no doubt that, taken with the dry warmth experienced, there must be a wonderful come away of grass when the next lot of rain falls. Yearling heifers have been soughl eagerly, and several truck loads have left the district. Two-year-old heifers and sound empty cows continued to rise in price, and there is evident something approaching a gambling spirit among dealers, especially for good quality yearling and two-year heifers. Quotations for yearling Jerseys are scattered, and the best have been quoted somewhat above present market values, so that many purchasers attend to mediums and goods. Breeders have quoted tops at £4 5/ to £4 10/, but most sales have been at from £3 10/ to £3 17/6. Two-year cattle have brought £3 5/ to £3 10/. The dairy section has commanded most attention, and good entries have met keen competition; best sorts to £9 10/; medium, £6 10/ to £7 10/. Most, entries, however, have been light-conditioned and small, for which there has been little respect, values ranging from £4 5/ to £5 5,'. Beef and mutton values are firm at late rates. Best young cows and heifers to £6 10/; lighter, £4 10/ to £5 10/; unfinished, £3 to £3 10/; prime bullocks, to £7 10/; fat wethers, to 16/6; ewes, 12/ to 14/; and fat hoggets, 12/6 to 14/. The advance in fat ewes is not expected to last much longer, as toy the end of this month dry ewes will be coming from the Hocks. Hoggets are in short supply, and those at sales are mostly of inferior quality. Until the incoming season's freezing rates are known little business is anticipated with sheep. Horses have been sought at fairs. Good farm horses, £26 to £38 10/; medium weight milk carters, £27 to £38; light, £21 to £27; good unbroken horses, £13 to £33 10/; Shetland ponies, £7; hacks, £3 to £6.

A waning in pig values, contrary to the usual tendency for pigs to harden at this season of the year, has been the feature of New Plymouth sales for the past few weeks. Capacity yardings have been presented in most centres, and it appears that supply in Taranaki exceeds the demand. Yesterday's New Plymouth sale witnessed tmly a moderate yarding and a slight improvement in realisations. Choice Sveaners, 12/ to 14/6; others, 8/G to 11/; slips, 16/6 to 17/; good stores, 18/ to 18/6; porkers, 24/.