LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 142, 19 June 1933, Page 4

LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

BRIGHT IN TARANAKI. BRISK TRADING AT HIGHER VALUES. .(From Our Own Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday. The feature of the Taranaki stock market during the past week has been a substantial further rise in mutton and lamb prices, reflecting the improved market for both commodities in Britain. Trading has been exceedingly brisk, in fact, in all classes of live stock, sales throughout the province have been very well supported, and the tone of the markets more optimistic than for a long time. Sound empty cows and heifers are in particularly keen demand and quotations are difficult to secure. Fat sheep have shown a sharp, rise. Fat ewes are worth about 8/ and wethers 13/ to 15/. Fat lambs are in keen demand and the increased schedule up to sVld for under 361b lambs is in operation. Store wethers are wanted, but are difficult to secure. Ewes in lamb are worth 11/ to 12/.

The inquiry for store cattle is spasmodic. Greater activity is evident in the dairy cattle market, as the new season will soon commence. Many herds have been sold in the paddock, two examples being at £6 10/ and £7 a head, respectively. Very large numbers of dairy heifers nave been shipped out of the province in the last few weeks, special trains recently taking 500 head from South Taranaki and 300 from North Taranaki. A large proportion of these have gone into the Bay of Plenty and southern districts of the Auckland province. Prices for good incalf heifers are hardening, partly as ■ a result of the exodus. An Auckland buyer paid £7 7/ for one large line of in-calf two-J'ear heifers, other lines selling at £G "10/ and £6 15/. Yearling, heifer prices also are rising and the demand is keener at from £2 10/ to £3. Smaller sorts realise up to £2 in the yards. Clearing sales, always a feature of the Taranaki live stock market at the midwinter season, have commenced in earnest, occasioned by the annual removals of share milkers, as well as by sales and exchanges of farms. A good tone has been displayed at all such sales held, so far. Horses arc in exceptionally keen demand, good farm geldings selling at up to £42, with best draughts up to £55. Pigs are showing a steady improvement.