STOCK MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 April 1927, Page 8

STOCK MARKETS.

A HEALTHY" TONE. GOOD DEMAND SHOWN. Despite the problems which just now are besetting 1 the fanning industry, a good healthy tone is reported in the stock markets, which premises well for the season which, in a few" months, will oi>en. Local sales have been good, and men. who have been to other districts report generally excellent selling, with advanced prices, and a healthy demand. Feilding, yesterday, was an instance of buoyant conditions. Although it is between seasons, with sheep going off, and the new season's demand for dairy cattle not yet established —that, will come in the course of probably six or seven weeks business has been fairly good locally. The prospects for the young dairy cattle market look very promising. Despite the difficult times, farmers must keep up their herds to the best standard. In fact, it is now more than ever necessary that this should be done, so that the product of the dairyfactory can meet the severe competition showing all over the world. For this reason it. seems likely the demand will, when it begins, continue strong. The supply does not promise to be too much for that demand. Cull cattle are coming into the vards now, and are being taken away to the works at fairly good figures. Droves of them may, any day, be seen on the roads. At yesterday* 's Feilding sale, store cattle ' were in demand, and, though there was a large yarding, it was al cleared. The presence of Waikato buvers was evident. This fact also affected the demand for wethers, which were in many cases ;ls above last week; and for lambs, which were very strong, and showed a rise of at least’two shillings. There are not many really fat cattle about, but a fair proportion are available. and these are being taken at good figures . 'The pig market is still good, and many are being taken away to the works by* the buyers for the various companies. Much interest is also being taken by* farmers in high-class animals for stud purposes. There is no doubt they* are all keen to-, grow a better class of pig, so that the demand in the Home markets may be met. and foreign competition overcome. All round there are signs that must hearten the farmer to maintain ais cf- , forts to succeed. The fact that wool has continued to advance, and that the last sale, despite the forecast of experienced men. has been about the best, is another healthy sign, and must have an influence in keeping up the tone of the markets.