STOCK MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 August 1926, Page 10

STOCK MARKETS.

CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT.

GOOD DAIRY CATTLE IN DEAIAND

I ust week comment was made on the werorally healthy tone of tlic markets an.! the' prospects for improvement, as the season advanced. The operations () f the past week have confirmed thro indication and still poiut to further improvement. The markets show a distinct hardening tendency all round, with dairy cattle of any quality, and above all. in good condition and due to calve early, in strong demand. There is *t shortage of fat cattle also. Prices , s till firming, and the prospects arc that thev will be a good deal dearei before the position is relieved by further stock coming pn the market. Put stuck firms state that the position was if anything somewhat stronger at this time last year. .. Although there. is not yet actually much growth of grass, that shown bejn.. pretty soft and watery, all the paddocks. especially those where the farmers have been in tlie habit of topdressing, have a healthy appearance, which "seems to indicate that a few warm days would bring on the growth fast and strong. This is actually just what the dairy farmer wants, for with his cows coming in early lie needs the natural feed if his stock arc to do their best The supplementary stored fodders are all very well, but the pasture is -what the cow's require and on which they -will give best returns. Calves are showing all over the countryside and large supplies are going to the Works, but very much better and more humane arrangements should be made for these “baby stock.” Store cattle, too, are showing a reflection of this upward tendency in values, graziers no doubt pinning their faith to the opinion that the early season means a flush of grass before long and so that it is safe to stock up with store stock. There is not- a great deal of business in sheep, nor is it expected just now. Lambs are appearing on the farms all over the district and the mild'weather Will give them a good start. Thero appears to be still some doubt as to the future of the markets*abroad for mutton, and consequently farmers are showing' some caution. But it is quite probable that sheep will share in the improvement already shown with cattle and further predicted for tlie future. It is gratifying to know' that the pigbusiness is increasing—there is ample scope and men interested. in the stock world have strongly urged a far greater output —and that recent sales show a marked improvement in prices. At yesterday’s sale in Hawera there were good Vardings; the demand was strong, and in consequence excellent, prices were realised that give faith in the future. If dairy farmers arc to get the best out of tlieir farms, they must rear more pigs. There is ample scope at Home for all they can put on the market.

The dairy produce markets are promising well, despite a quiet tone for the present. No doubt a great deal depends on the result of the Control Board taking absolute charge, and what is to be the advance made to factories. If there is to be a more conservative policy than in the past, the farmers and the country generally are going to feel the pinch, and it will probably mean that the farmers will have to lean more on the business firms than has been the .case .previously. However, the next week or two will no doubt give a clear indication.

But taking a line through the various classes of stock and considering the present- position and tlie probable conditions in tlie near future, the prospects are sound. There is, however, undoubtedly a call to everyone directly interested in the land production or depending on that, output, to be careful and prudent and to endeavour to curtail expenditure in every possible direction Every effort must be made to increase exports and to reduce unessential imports.