STOCK MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 18 September 1926, Page 10

STOCK MARKETS.

A HEALTHY TONE

GEN ERAL IMPR 0V EM ENT

There is a spirit of optimism about most- lines of stock, and the prospects are very promising in most directions. If the weather will ‘‘take up” and show its best for the “spring parade,” the condition of all classes of farming wid he very good and helpful in this district especially, where a mild and verdant- spring means so much. Dairy cattle at late sales still evince a strong demand, farmers quite apparently having their requirements unsatisfied, and with the rush of spring feed they are fairly certain still to need more.

For some considerable' time it lias been forecasted in this column that fat cattle, were likely to he good arid to be in strong demand. This lias been borne out hv the sales of the past few weeks, and the position at present is very strong and favourable for holders. All classes of fat stock have been fetching good prices. It is probable this will continue for a couple oi. months or until the. pastures have come away strongly Next- month bull fairs start for the .year, and already’ there, are strong indications of a good position. It is probable there will not- be so many offering as has been the case during the past few years. Store cattle are sought after, ami as the pastures improve they are likely to be stronger still. Generally the sheep market is satisfactory. Lambing has been and is good, and excellent percentages are reported. Even the casual observer can notice the number of twins ,and triplets. The lambs are also in most cases strong and well-grown. The healthy tone of the wool market, with the recorded advances in prices, will have a good effect and tend to improve the position for the sheep farmer and to promote competition and consequent increase in price and demand. The opening freezing prices when fixed will also be a factor in the position. There is little doing in pigs, but the awakening realisation of the farmer of the need for proc*ejK«., development, and enterprise is having a good effect. He sees what is done in other dairying countries of the Old World. where the proportion, of pigs to dairy chttle is so much larger. Many breeders are looking round for more and better stock with which to meet the continuous demand front the Home markets. The result is importation of good stud stock. The farmer must ascertain the exact type required by the consumer and cater for that demand. The horse market is very promising; and recent sales confirm the opinion expressed some week® ago that the right sort of animal, especially of thoseused •mi the farm, wilf ahv ays command a good price. It is worth recording that a visiting buyer gave it as his opinion that this district provided the keenest;, market he knew. Good animals went: always in demand. . Dairy farmers will have read with pleasure of the advance in butter prices’ and the steady firmness of the general position. In view of the recent reports it- is very cheering. So long as the business end of the markets - is handled with Care'and tact the position Is fairlv certain to he good. . .The immediate future is hopeful* and operations will he closely watched. _ A general survey of the position m all avenues of production leads to the hope that with a normally good season the prospects are sound all round.