STOCK MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 3 December 1927, Page 7

STOCK MARKETS.

EXCELLENT BUSINESS REPORTED

ALL LINES IN STRONG DEMAND.

There has been experienced throughout the week a marked keenness in stock business at the local sales and from other districts all over the Island come: similar healthy and satisfactory reports. The position continues very satisfactory. from all points of view. Although there has been a slight drop in dairy produce, the price is still good and with the increase in production the situation i® sound and gives reason for a feeling of optimism as to the sea r son’s- general outlook. The demand for store and fat cattle is very strong, especially for fats and buyers have bad great- difficulty in meeting requirements. There is shown to b© a distinct shortage, and beef is hard to get of the, standard requiredIn the search for supplies, buyers have to go to- the hack country, and even so cannot get all they need. The position naturally makes prices firm. Forward: cows are bringing up to £5 10?: light- fat cows £7 14s. Though it is late, there has been business done in dairy stock,-and -a line of fairly good quality realised £9. Reports from various parts of the district are that production is holding remarkably well. There has been a lot of cold wind, but the farmers, have had copious rainfall, and that is what the district needs at present. . A leading factory manager emphasised this, and said that authough sunshine and an absence of wind were needed, they must have the rain. It is the dry weather that brings down the milk supply.

The drop in the price of cheese is considered to be only temporary, and it is confidently expected that prices will move up before Christmas, especially if the weather continues cold and seasonable. No doubt tlie heavy aiv rivals have affected the position, but the real shortage in other producing countries must hold up the level. • The demand for sheep is keen, as might be expected because of the good prices for wool, and also on account of the acute shortage in Australia. There the losses by drought some time ago were enormous, and now this has been increased by serious mortality due to cold and wet weather. These factors have exercised, a very strong influence on the position generally. Large orders have come to help restore the breeding flocks, and it is doubtful whether New Zealand can really do much without the danger of depletion in her own flocks. It is a situation demMiding great care, with a watchful eye on the future. But the prices reported are certainly very tempting.

The market for lambs is exceedingly good and the price—at 9d for lambs that average, as have several lots sold, nearly 371 b out at about 28s a very good figure. The cold weather has, however, retarded their growth to some extent, and vendors are inclined to hold off for a week or two in sending in their drafts. In pigs Hawera is rapidly becoming the centre for Taranaki, and is. attracting business from many outside centres. There has been good business done for months past, but this week has been one of the best. A keen demand has kept prices up and it is worth record that at this week’s sale a yarding of 90 stores averaged over 20s — slips 14s 6d, weaners Ss 6d to 70s, small stores 265, large stores 355. A man in a large way of the pig business emphasises that the demand is more for the porker up to about 901bs. This is reflected in the additional price being paid by the companies for that type of pig. He recalls that when the embargo on fresh pork was placed against the Continent because of disease, the growers over there increased their works and sent over bacon. This is perhaps the main reason for the change in price offered for porkers. But he adds- that more care is needed in feeding —and this has been, stressed on many occasions by men of long and wide experience. It is noteworthy that pigs from cream separating districts do much -better and are in better condition than in cheese areas. This emphasises the need for some added constituent in their fodder. It would surely pay the farmer to make this improvement. The farmers, however, are alive to the need for maintaining the standard of their herds and pedigrees are still meeting a keen demand. Breeders report this and recently two very fine animals —a boar and a sow—came to this district from Canterbury.