STOCK MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 March 1926, Page 10

STOCK MARKETS.

GENERALLY GOOD IN SOUTH TARANAKI. DROUGHT IN SOME DISTRICTS. A great variety of factors operate together to create the markets for the farmers. Conditions vary so much in different districts —good seasonable rains in one and a dry spell just when rain is wanted in another —that- in places not more than a comparatively few miles apart the position may he quite different. In Taranaki this year the rainfall seems, from reports of farmers in various parts, to have been curiously local. The other day a farmer who comes from less than 15 miles from Hawera said that his district had missed many of the very welcome downpours experienced in Hawera district during the last few weeks, and consequently his locality was in more urgent need of rain than farmers round the town. It is a serious mater for an extensive dairying countryside, where milk supply depends largely on water. But Taranaki, speaking generally, is fortunate in comparison with some parts of the Dominion where dairying is also the staple primary industry. In Poverty Bay, for instance, in the dairying districts, there has been for some time a very serious position caused hv the dry spell. And in other parts dependent not so much on the dairy cow similar conditions have prevailed. Reports from recent sales appear to show that, as has been stated, good quality stock of all kinds has met a good demand. Prices, however, have not been so good as could have been wished, and in many cases owners of sheep and cattle have held off where they could in hopes of an improvement. But the principal cause of a slackness in prices has been the position and prospects of the freezing companies, and therefore their reluctance in buying and the consequent reduction in prices offered. Yet some works, according to reports from Poverty Bay and Auckland, have been active, and anticipate a good season. The fall in prices offered by them seems hard to explain. However, the kernel of the whole position is the price of meat on the Home market, which is not strong at present. Fat cattle are pretty scarce and hard to get. Many, according to stock firm reports, are offered before becoming really prime. It seems that numl>ers of grazing farmers bought somewhat heavily, and have not been able to hold their purchases on account of a probable shortage of feed. A local man, who has just come from Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa, reports conditions down there as very dry and unfavourable, though improved somewhat by a late rain. At the sales in Hastings and Waipukurnu, cattle were generally as much as £1 a head over local prices. Sheep also were selling remarkably well, and up to 26s 8d was given for two-tooths in fair condition. They are, as a rule, not so good as sheep up here and much smaller, and showing evidence of the dry season. The generally healthy tone of the wool sales is a cheering sign in the position. At the last sales buyers operated freely, and a marked improvement in the demand from Bradford buyers was noticeable. This is certain to have an effect on the price of sheep. The position with sheep men is that most of them have got their requirements for the season. This will have its effect on the demand for sheep. Tn the dairv world, although the cabled quotations are not on a high level, they have been and are still nretty steady. The season should, provided no unforeseen happening arises, pan out very well.