STOCK MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 8 September 1928, Page 5

STOCK MARKETS.

GOOD CONDITIONS ALL ROUND

WHAT OF THE FUTURE?

There is a remarkably buoyant tone in the markets for all classes of farming. Dairy produce is at a figure which- is far in- excess of last year at this time, while short supplies: at Home and abroad make a very firm market; wool has been and still is very high, and shows no sign of abating much; stock of all kinds are fetching high prices, and especially farmers are paying high prices for their dairy stock; pigs are at a fairly good level; and heavy horses where quality and condition are evident- command strong attention at sales. These factors make the season just opened noteworthy because of the absence of a weakness in any branch of farming. Regarding dairy stock, the tendency to cut out importations, because of the danger of introducing a disease that is rampant in some countries looks certain to restrict the supply to some extentat least. But America is said to be quite clean, and the stock from there now at Wellington are reported to be some of the best. It will be interesting to see how they fare on the market. I But there is another danger seen by far-seeing men,with long experience in stock. They consider that too many heifer calves have been and are being killed. One would expect that dairy farmers know their business sufficiently well not to thus dispose of good heifers. The fact remains, however, that there is a shortage of good young .dairy stock, and efforts must be made, in the interests of tlie industry, to overcome this. v

A prominent man in the stock world reported a few days ago inquiry from the South Island and from the other coast for store cattle, and he had had to reply that very few were available. Hawke’s Bay breeders say they have no need of more, hulls and- that-breed-ing cows are short. : *'ij He recalled that in the slump years grazing farmers were killing large numbers of young female cattle,- and the result, in his opnion, is now. iir evidence. The lesson is he says: “Save the best, and do them better than is the case with many farmers.” There is no doubt, the gospel preached by the officers of the Agricultural Department for better feeding is sound. In this district sales have been good, with an exceptionally keen demand against other lines, for works cull cows, which made up to £1 per head in advance of previous prices. There is also a considerable rise in weaner heifers, choice stuff with butterfat hacking making up to £B, while others reached £7 2s in the yards. Heifers for holding over made up to £4 ss.

Good dairy heifers, irrespective of colours, made high prices, going up as high as £l7 and cows to £ls and £l6. Fat cattle are-almost -unobtainable, and those offering reach up to £l6 for prime cows and heifers.' In the- Palmerston district a line of exceptionally prime young bullocks is reported to have been recently sold at £2O net. ...Ik Sound empty cows have experienced keen competition,, prices going to £5 15s. ... ...- ;:

Good paddock cows aTe hard to obtain .and prices are up to £7 to £B. In sheep there is little doing. Fat wethers made 48s, ewes 40s, and hoggets 38s. There is a great scarcity of sheep, and ewes with lambs have brought up to £2 7s 6d, best ewe hoggets £2. . ' , . ..... .. ,_• - So far nothing is- being done in this district in forward delivery sales. From Hunterville reports come to hand of the sale of about 10,000 lambs during the last two weeks at 21s to 245. Tliese. of course, do not compare with local lambs, being off wet, hilly country. from which large drafts go .annually.

In pigs there has been an exceptionally strong demand, and pri'es are very good. ' i ■ The prospects all round are excellent, and farmers look forward to one of the best seasons for a long time.