PASTURE GROWTH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21852, 24 October 1945, Page 8

PASTURE GROWTH

SLOW IN WAIKATO CHECK TO PRODUCTION Further cold weather in the Waikato has again retarded pasture growth, with the result that values for some classes of store stock are inclined to case and dairy production is not showing the usual seasonal increase. Stationbred store cattle are coming forward in smaller numbers at most centres, but a large yarding comprising principally yearling steers and heifers was penned at the Te Anga spring fair. Competition was keen for the small proportion of grown cattle penned and prices for these were fu'.'y firm. The quality of the young cattle penned was good and quotations for these were practically on a par witli recent slightly reduced rates. The demand for young cattle at most centres has been quieter. Average yardings for this time of the year of dairy cattle are being penned and in spite of the shortage of feed- there is a keen demand for heifers close to profit or recently calved at very firm rates, hut prices for more backward lots have been easier at recent sales. Yearling Jersey heifers are coming on to the market in good numbers and meet a steady sale at practically unchanged quotations. In. tlie store sheep section slightly larger yardings of shorn hoggets nre being penned at some of the main centres. The demand at the central yards was not ns keen as at previous sales and prices eased accordingly. A few small lines of ewes with lambs at foot have been sold at 17s to 18s, all counted.