PRODUCE MARKETS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 63, 8 December 1936, Page 15

PRODUCE MARKETS

Butter, Cheese and Meat MANAWATU LAMBS LATE

Note: The pay-outs given are those that would be returned on a free market,” allowing for present factory, coots. On the present market, butter is showing a slight deficiency on the guaranteed pav-out. The guaranteed price is equivalent to 106/6 cwt.. London. For the first four months of the current season AugustNovember inclusive, the market price has averaged closely the 106/6 required to square the Marketing Departments butter account. , , Cheese prices, however, have shown a surplus. The present quotation is the lowest for months past, but, even so, it will return 1/3 lb. buterfat. That is rather better than the guaranteed payout. , . As at November 30 estimated stocks ot butter in Britain totalled 831,000 boxes against only 443,000 a year ago. The present stock is a normal one, representing but 21,550 tons, approximately two weeks’ supply. Danish butter selling at 1/3 commands a 2d. lb. premium over New Zealand selling at 1/1 lb. In mid-October Danish was at 3d. premium over New Zealand selling at 1/- only. Meat Exjrort Trade. Lamb, to 36’s, continues at Bjd. lb. As vet this is the only class of stock being handled at works. The local market is too strong for ewes, wethers and, beef. When freezing buyers operate it is anticipated that ewes will be -worth around 15/- and second wethers 24-25/-. One operator states that wethers will only be worth 22/- to 22/6. Chillers and freezing bullocks are expected to return last season’s values. Manawatu plains lambs are late this season, but those, from the higher country have done well. Southern Hawke’s Bay lambs are generally ahead of Manawatu. Many lines ex small farms in the high Norsewood district killed at the end of November averaged 38-391 b. “This will be a ewe year,” stated a well-known buyer. “In the fat lamb areas every second year is a ewe year; last was very small and so this will be a season of heavy offerings. As many old ewes were held for another lambing, they must be cleared this year.” This buyer also claimed that the Manawatu lambs’ backwardness was not wholly due to the wet season. The extremely high percentage of twins will delay draftings. On one property that usually averaged just over 100 per cent, there was a 123 per cent, lambing this spring. Pig-keeping Industry. ■ London reports indicate a firm market there for New Zealand baconers and porkers. Both are quoted at Gid. to 7d. a lb. The schedule rates in the Wellington province remain unaltered at: Porkers, s|d. for SO’s, 81/100 at old., 110-119 at 51d. Baconers, 5Jd., 120-160’s. Bacon came down from (id. during last week in November, at which price it had stood since the season opened. There is an anticipation in some quarters that pork may rise. Heavy supplies of baconers have come to the works, Porkers are in comparatively short supply. This is to a large extent owing to a dearth of store pigs. Stores are now selling at good prices, and purchasers, with ample milk available, consider it best to carry their pigs on to bacon weights with the extra bacon value to be received. A well-known Manawatu pig-buyer states that the use of meal is rapidly extending. Even with the flush of milk now available many of his best clients are using meal. “And it pays them handsomely,” he added. Another practice that is growing is the providing of a mineral ration to pigs. It is practically the same thing as providing cattle with a good stock-lick. Their health is improved and they mature more rapidly. CROPPING TRENDS Changes in the Wellington Province Some important changes in cropping practice are to be noted this season in the Wellington province. The rise m sheep returns has led to a decrease in the areas planted to “cash-crop.” The area in wheat is estimated to be down to but half that of the past four or five years. Barley and oatn also are in greatly reduced acreage. The North Island will have to rely almost entirely upon the south for fowl-wheat, chaff and oats next year. Barley importations from Australia will be both large and costly next year. Much will be wanted for feeding purposes, and the cheap Australian quotations are a thing of the past. Fodder Crops. Mangels are in disfavour this year. The reason is that farmers are afraid that higher wages costs and difficulty of getting labour will render their cultivation unduly troublesome. On the other hand, rape, swedes and chou moullier have had a boom year. The success achieved last year by these three crops has again put them in favour. They lost much regard during the past four years, owing to clubroot and the ravages of the white butterfly. Unlike other “cash-crops, potatoes have held their place in the North Wand. Although statistics show a small decrease in estimated area, the estimates of Manawatu merchants are that the area will equal last season's. At present the Manawatu and Rangitikei crops are looking particularly well. A few early lots will be available in January, but February aud March will provide the mam harvest. Some forward sal»s are reported by Manawatu merchants to Auckland, tor March delivery at £5/15/- ton 0.t., country stations. Fully 90 per cent, of the crops in these districts are Aucklander short-tops. A big percentage are from certified seed. Ryegrass. The area of ryegrass entered in Hawke's Bay for certification this season is but 50 per cent, of that entered last season. Poverty Bay, Rangitikei, and Manawatu areas have declined even more. An influence in this decrease is the saving of “commercial” rye. Field inspection and passing are not required for this. The seed is lamp-tested after harvesting. There is probably a big acreage being saved for this class of seed. The | price of certified seed is expected to be up this autumn. White clover crops should be good this season, provided the weather takes up for I harvesting. Merchants report that sowings of subterranean clover are up almost threefold this spring. This valuable clover has gained wide appreciation.

Butter. New Zealand Finest Salted. This week Last week A month a A year agt 104/- equals .... IM 107 1 OS-109 , " 92-93 12.4d. lb. butterfat payout. Cheese. New Zealand White. s. d. This week Last week A month a . . 62 6 69 0 "0 . . b - A year age 62/6 equals 15.0d. lb. butterfat payout.