LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 4

LIVE STOCK MARKETS.

OFF SEASON AT WORKS. EXPORT BUSINESS QUIET. MUTTON IN SHORT SUPPLY. In between seasons the meat export trade lias a slack time, which in spread over a few weeks in the early winter. Killings are at their lowest, the 15riti.ii market is supplied mainly from producing countries on the other side of the world (including Home-grown beef, mutton and pork), and New Zedland temporarily takes a back place as a supplier of the world's markets. This is the position at the moment. Mutton in short supply, and will continue to be scarce for some months; in fact, until the sheep are fattened on the pastures of next spring. Beef is also affected by the winter, and killings arc confined to cull cows and bulls. While it is the off season for the New Zealand export trade, shipments for the past season continue to be marketed in London, and the latest indications as regards lambs are that the demand has eased slightly. Perhaps the high prices obtained have checked the demand. Still, London representatives report that the market position is quite sound, and they expect the prices to hold. Beef from New Zealand compares unfavourably with lamb and mutton at Smithfield for several reasons. In quality it is much below the best; it has to contend with an over-supplied market, and has never established itself in the favour of the British consumer as New Zealand lamb and mutton have done. Further, the weakness of the butter and cheese markets has led to the killing of stock which was only second best ior beef purposes, while the improvement in wool has caused sheepfarmers to hold their sheep— influences working in opposite directions which are plainly atmormal.

The bobby calf season is beginning, and in a short time will be under way in the Auckland district. Better Tono All Round. Conditions in the country are described by our Waikato correspondent as follows:— There has been an all round better tone in the markets during the week. Especially -has this been noticeable in the sheep sections. At Frank ton on Tuesday an appreciable rise was noticed in both fat wethers and ewes. Certainly the quality was better than has been yarded of late, but the entry was also heavier than usual. However, practically the whole yarding met with a ready sale. In the store section the keen demand for breeding ewes still continues. A few lines of this class of sheep are' finding their way to the yards, but they comprise mostly aged ewes. Still, prices have shown a big improvement on autumn values, and ail young sheep that have been quoted for private treaty have also been disposed ofStore wethers and hoggets have increased in popularity wherever yarded, but supplies of this class of sheep appear to be limited. There have been signs of brightening in the beef section, and no doubt with the colder weather supplies of prime cattle will bo getting less. The exporters have bought large quantities of both ox and heifer beef for chilling purposes, and this to some extent will have an effect on local markets. However, it is hoped that a good deal better prices will be received for winter beef, as farmers have not been able to carry as large stocks as usual owing to the dry weather in the autumn. Store cattle are also being inquired for, although very few station-bred cattle are finding their way to the market. In the dairy section a better tone exists, and practically all clearing sales so far held have been very satisfactory, while a good many heifers are changing hands by way of private treaty.

Pigs are not coming forward in such large numbers, although the demand for heavy baconers is still as keen as ever.