FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

PIG INDUSTRY. BREEDERS’ AND FATTENERS’ ' COLUMN. Treatment of Sows.—During pregnancy the sow requiros very. Jittlo attention or feeding where there is good grass available with a plentiful supply of fresh water. This particularly applies to the first three months, when at this particular time of the year there is a tendency for the thrifty strains 'to become over-fat. This condition must be discouraged for over-fatness being unhealthy is fatal to profitable litter raising. Remember always, healthy active condition in breeding stock is of the utmost importance and this is best produced by the stock working for a living. By this is not meant that where a sow has become thin through suckling a large littor she should be neglected, for in this case the animal should be fed well until she returns to normal health. QUALITY TELLS. Tho economic end of the pig is either as pork or bacon, and tho breeder and feeder of pigs should keep that fact steadily in viow (says an exchange). What is wanted in a porker are quick growing and rapid fattening qualities. Tho baconcr may bo a pig of a somowhat slower growth, and it is generally of a larger size. Small porkers, or porkets, are pigs of a tidy size which fatten early. They are frequently the most profitable for tho small man to keep. They cost less to feed than pigs which are kept to a greater age and size. It takes less food to produco one pound of pork in a porker ol twelve to sixteen weeks old than in tho caso of one sixteen to twenty weeks old. One-of twenty to twenty-six weeks old makes relatively slower progress, while in food it costs a lot more to obtain lib increase. Pigs must be healthy and vigorous. The man who is content with any sort of pig, because it may have cost him but a comparatively small price, must necessarily also bo content with any sort of poor returns. High prices for porkers or baconcrs will only be paid when tho quality is good. Thero is always a greater gain on the feeding of good quality pigs than on bad or indifferent. The pig-keeper should thus cxcrciso a little care and judgment when buying youngsters or weaners to _ _ feed. The buyer who cannot discern qualities in a pigling will bo at a considerable disadvantage, unless ho tips an expert to help him in the selection of. a good doer. If the man who buys to fatten must choose carefully, he who buys young stock for breeding must exercise even more discretion. Really good stock arc often worth more than their face value. A good sow should not be readily parted with. She is worth keeping. ,

DAIRY PRODUCE. MARKET VALUES. There was a further decline in the London butter market on Tuesday, prices reaching the low level of 81s for first grade, and 82s for finest New Zealand. The market steadied at those prices, with a more active demand. Since last Friday, New Zealand white cheese has declined 4s or 5s to 545, and coloured by 3s to 4s to 56s per cwt,, tho market being slow at those prices. Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., ha.vo received the following cable advice, dated December 13, from London: New Zealand butter, 81s to 82s per cwt.; more active. New Zealand cheese: White, 54s per cwt.; coloured, 565.

The New Zealand Producers’ Co-opera-tive Marketing Association’s weekly cabled market report from London, dated December 13, is as followsßutter: Market steady. New Zealand finest, 82s; first grade, 81s; Danish, 120 s. Cheese: Market slow. New Zealand white, 545; coloured, 565; Canadian white and coloured, 62s to 68s: Dalgety and Co., Ltd., are advised as follows under date December 13: Since our cable of December 8 butter 2s per cwt. lower. We. quote: New Zealand finest, 80s to 82s. Cheese is 5s lower at 54s to 555.

The best time to mow lucerne cannot always bo determined by the flowering development. Safer guidance is provided in the development of basal shoots. When fresh shoots at the bases or crowns of the plants are about an inch long the lucerne should be mown.

ADDINGTON MARKET. LAMB VALUES RISE SHARPLY. Per Press Association, CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 14. A sharp rise in fat lamb values wa6 the principal feature at tho Addington market to-day, exporters being precluded from taking all but a few pons. Tho fat lamb entry was 2400 head, tho quality being mixed. There was a rise of Is to Is 6d a head, the average price being about 4id a lb. The top price was 17s Id for five lambs. Fat sheep showed a much larger entry. Prices were on a par with last week’s rates. Extra prime heavy wethers sold to 15s 7d; prime heavy, 13s to 14s; prime me-dium-weight, 11s to 12s 9d; ordinary and light, 9s to 10s 6d; extra prime heavy ewes, to 13s; prime heavy, 10s 6d to 12s 6d; me-dium-weight prime, 8s 6d to 10s 3d; light and ordinary, 5s to_ Bs. The entry of fat cattle was 350 head. The average quality was vory good. Best beef made up to 21s per 1001 b, and in odd cases up to 235; good prime, 17s to 19s; heavy, 15s to 17s; ordinary quality, to 12s; rough, down to 9s. Extra prime heavy steers sold to £lO 12s 6d; primo heavy, £6 10s to £9; prime medium-weight, £5 10s to £7; ordinary quality, £3 15s to £5 ss; light, £2 to £3 10s; extra prime heifers, £7 12s 6d; prime, £4 5s to £6 medium, £3 to £4; light, to £2 15s; extra prime cows, to £8 7s 6d; prime, £3 10s to £5; medium, £2 10s to £3 ss; light and aged, £1 5s to £2 ss. There was a big entry of fat pigs, for which the demand was weak and prices low. Choppers sold at 27s 6d to 53s 6d; baconers, 29s 6d to 34s 6d; heavy, 37s 6d to 44s 6d (average price per lb, 2d to 3Jsd); porkers, 19s 6d to 22s 6d; heavy, 24s 6d to 27s 6d (average price per lb, 3jd to 3£d).

WESTFIELD SALE. HEAVY YARDINGS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 14. There wero heavy yardings of meat classes of fat stock at the weekly Westfield sale to-day, and prices generally were equivalent to late rates. Beef cattle were in exceptionally . heavy supply, the total yarding being 875 head, an increase of about 200 head. The quality was good, but in spite of a steady demand prices showed an easing tendency. _ Extra choice ox sold to 17s per 100 lb; choice and prime ox, 14s .6d to 16s; secondary and plain, 12s to 14s; primo young cow and heifer beef, 14s to 16s; ordinary cow beef, 8s to 13s. Heavy primo steers ranged, in price from £5 5s to £6 ss; lighter prime steers, £4 to £5 2s 6d; light prime, £3 to £3 17s 6d; small and unfinished, £2 5s to £2 17s 6d; extra heavy prime young cows and heifers, £4 to £4 15s; heavy prime cows and heifers, £3 to £3 17s 6d; lighter prime, £2 to £2 17s 6d; other killable cows, £1 5s to £1 17s 6d. A heavy yarding of sheep met with a fairly steady demand. Prime hoggets made 12s 9d; prime wethers, 10s to 12s 6d; prime owes, 5s 6d to 7s. Lambs wore penned in full numbers, and sold under steady competition at fully late rates. Heavy prime lamb made 12s to 13s; medium prime, 10s 9d to lls 9d; light prime, 5s to 10s 6d. Tho largest yarding of pigs for some time was offered, and prices wero slightly easier. Baconers made £1 10s to £2 6s; porkers, 18s to £1 10s; choppers, £1 2s to £1 18s. Calves wore penned in small numbers,, and values were slightly higher. Runners made £1 6s to £3; vealers, £1 5s to £2 6s; rough calves, 5s to 14s.

JOI-INSONVILLE SALE. PRICES STEADY. WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. Price were steady at Johnsonville sale yesterday, when Wriglit, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., and Abraham and Williams, Ltd., offered a full yarding. The catCe entry comprised prime quality medium weight bullocks, with a few pens, of heavier sorts, also several pens of prime . heavy weight cows and heifers.- Competition, was keen, and a total clearance was made..at prices on a par with last weeks, rates. Sheep and lambs came forwnrd in the usual numbers, and a good sale resulted, there being no quotable change in prices as compared with last week’s rates. Cattle.—Prime heavy bullocks, £6 10s, £6 7s, £6 ss, £6 2s, £6; heavy bullocks, £5 16s, £5 10s. £5 ss; prune heavy cows and heifers, £5, £4 16s, £4 Bs, £4 4s £4 2s, £4; cows and heifers, £3 13s, £3 10s, to £3; runners, £2 15s, £- 18s; vealers, £2. £1 18s, £1 15s, £1 lls, £1 10s, £1 7s, £1 ss; calves, £1 Is, 17s, 10s 6d, 3s. , Sheep.—Prime extra heavy wethers, 12s Bd, 12s 6d, 12s 4d, 12s 3d; prime heavy wethers, lls lOd, lls Bd, lls 6d; medium wethers 10s; primo heavy ewes, 8s 3d, 8s 2d, Bs. 7s lid, 7s 9d, 7s 6d; medium ewes 7s, 6s 9d, 6s 6d, 6s 3d; light and unfinished owes, 5s Bd, 5s 6d; hoggets, lls 6d, 9s 6d ; heavy spring lambs, 13s 3d, 12s 7d, 12s 3d, 12s Id, lls 9d, lls 6d; spring lambs, lls Id, 10s lid, 10s 9d, 10s 6d, 10s 3d, 10s 2d; light spring lambs, 8s 4d, 7s 6d.

FROZEN MEAT. MARKET FIRMER. The New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Distributing Co., Ltd., have received the following cable from London: Meat market firmer. Good inquiry, particularly for best grades.

FARMING NEWS. RURAL RAKINGS. Not for many, seasons has so much hay been made in the Franklin County as this year. Despite the boisterous weather recently, those who had not succeeded in building their stacks were hard at work cutting the grass and putting it into stooks. Neighbours were helping one another, and some complained that the labour which was offering from outside was not suitable at a time when the farmers were putting their backs into their work and preparing for what they expected to bo a hard wintor, with little prospect of the markets improving. Wlfcit was noticeable on some. of the places was that the old horse gigs were being brought into use again.* The first wool sale of the season m Dunedin will be held next week. Prospects are as yet difficult to determine, pending the opening of the South Island sales at Christchurch, but a good demand for the fine wools which comprise a large bulk of the local offering, is generally expected. From what can be gathered from brokers the offering at Dunedin will bo a good one, and buyers will find when their .valuations in store commence that there i 3 a great deal of bright, lustrous, good quality wool to choose from. The Otago clip has opened up very well on the whole, and notwithstanding signs of too much moisture early in the season which are evident in some southern wools, the general level of quality should be high.—-Otago Daily Times.

PRICES OF METALS. SYDNEY, Dec. 13. The official London (middle) quotations for Monday as received by the Australian Mines and Metals Association compare as follow .lith those previously cabled: Dec. 7. Dec. 12.

THE WOOL MARKET. SALE AT CHRISTCHURCH. DEMAND FOR' HIGHER QUALITIES. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 14.. The first Christchurch wool sale of this season’s series was held this afternoon and evening. Thero was a full bench of buyers, including strong representation from local mills, which had a dominating influence on tho competition for super wools. The catalogue, which consisted of 25,000 bales, was fully up to the standard of the offering at the first of the season’s sales and contained somo stylish wools. Based on Wellington prices for tho small amount of ordinary halfbred brought forward at that centro, a better standard of values was expected to-day for 50-58 wools. A big proportion of these wools ranged about 9a, which it was confidently expected would bo near lOd. Only super lots, however, mado prices in excess of lOd until after the sale had been about a couple of hours in .progress. The local mills representatives, who generally set tho pace for high quality wools, wero more restrained to-day m the early part of thp auction, and showed very little disposition to pay fancy prices. After tho tea adjournment, howover, some outstanding clips were offered, and the matter of a fraction or so did not stop the local mill representatives in their competition. The good prices then sot seemed to havo a stimulating effoct on competition generally, for the higher quality wools, and thero was an advance of from id to Jd for this class. For wools that did not come within the top category, the improvement was smaller, but for this class tho benefit of local competition was not present. Tho Continental representatives secured tho major weight of wool,. France in particular being prominent, with German and Belgian operators also coming freely into competition. RANGE OF PRICES.

SYDNEY WOOL SALES. GOOD GENERAL COMPETITION. SYDNEY, Dec. 14. At the wool sales to-day 10.285 bales wero offered, of which 9564 were sold at auction, 765 being disposed of privately. The best lines of Merino fleece and bulky skirtings ruled in sellers’ favour. All other descriptions were firm at late rates. There was good general competition. Greasy Merino made up to 18d. LONDON WOOL SALES. CLOSE ON ACTIVE MARKET. RANGE OF PRICES. The following cable messages reviewing the results of the London wool sales were received to-day: Bank of New Zealand’s produce department: —The sales have closed with good inquiry from all branches of the trade. Current quotations:—Merinos: Super, 60/ 64’s, 10id to 12d; ordinary, 60/64’s, 8d to 9d; inferior, 60/64’s, 8d to 7jd. Ilalfbreds : 56’s, 10£d to lljd; 50/56’s, 7id to Bid. Crossbreds: 50’s, 6zd to 7d; 48/50’s, sid to 6id; 46/48’s, sid to 5 3-4 d; 44/46’s, 5d to sid; 40/44’s, 4 3-4 d to sd; 36/40’s, 4 3-4 d to sd.

Bank of New South Wales: London wool sales closed. Merino firm; fine crossbreds firm; medium and coarse, 5 per cent, and slipe, 5 per cent, cheaper than opening prices. Competition good. Dalgety and Co., Ltd. : —Wood sales closed active, with good competition from Home trade and Continent. As compared with closing rates of last series: Greasy Merino, par to id lower; scoured Merino, id to 3-4 d lower; greasy halfbred, par to id higher; scoured halfbred, unchanged; greasy fine crossbred, id to 3-4 d lower, except superior ; greasy fine crossbred, par to id lower; greasy medium and coarse crossbred, 3-4 d lower; scoured crossbred, par to id lower; slipe halfbred, unchanged ; other sorts slipe, 3-4 d lower; greasy lambs, par to id lower. The following is the range of prices:—Halfbred, 56/ 58: Good to super, llid to 13d; low to medium, 8d to lid. Halfbred, 50/56: Good to super, 9 3-4 d to 12d; low to medium, 6 3-4 d to 9id. Fine crossbred, 48/50 : Good to super, 6id to 9d; low to medium, 5d to 6d. Fine crossbred, 46/48 : Good to super, fid to 7id; low to medium, 4id to sid. Crossbred, 44/46: Good to super, sid to 6|d; lower to medium, 4id to sd. Crossbred, 40/44: Good to super, sid to 6d; low to medium, 4d to 4 3-4 d. Coarse crossbred, 36/40: Good to super, 5d to 5 3-4 d; low to medium, 4d to 4id. Levin and Co., Ltd.—The auctions closed hero with a good tone. There was good general competition. Compared with the opening rates, we quoted :—Greasy Merino best, no change; average, no change Fine halfbreds: 50/56’s, no change. Halfbreds : 48/50’s, 3-4 d per lb. lower. Fine crossbreds: 46/48’s, 3-4 d per lb lower; medium, 44/46 s, 3-4 d per lb lower; coarse, 40/44’s, 3-4 d per lb lower: low, 36/40’s, 3-4 d per lb lower; slipe halfbred lambs, firm. Slipes: Medium and coarse, id to 3-4 d per lb lower. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., and Abraham and Williams, Ltd.:—London wool sales closed on active market. Competition was animated between an average attendance of whom the Bradford buyers were the chief operators. A total of 129,000 bales, consisting of a good selection of wools, was offered during the series; of these 117,400 bales were sold. We quote the following average realisa-tions-.—Greasy Merino, 60-64’s, yielding 48 per cent.. 9id; greasy fmo halfbred, 56-58's, yielding 65 per cent., lid; greasy halfbred, 50-56’s, yielding 67 per cont., 9d; greasy threc-quarterbred, 48-50 s yielding 73 per cent., 7d; greasy fine crossbred, 46-48’s, yielding 74 per cent., 6d; greasy medium crossbred, 44-46’s, yielding 75 _ per cent., sd; greasy crossbred, 40-44’s, yielding 76 per cent., 43d; greasy coarse crossbred, 36-40’s, yielding 77 per cent., 4Jd; crossbred lambs, 46-50’s, yielding 75 per cent., 7idi Australian Merino and slipe, market firm. 5 New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy., Ltd.: —The sales closed firmly. As compared with last sale’s closing rates, prices are lower par to id per lb for Merino and crossbred lambs, coarse scoured crossbred and medium scoured crossbred; prices are lower id to Id per lb for scoured Merino, coarse and medium crossbred slipe; prices arc lower id to 3d P or lb for medium and coarse greasy crossbred. The market is unchanged for fine scoured crossbred and fine crossbred slipe, and is par to id per lb higher for fine greasy crossbred. ... N.Z. Farmers’ Co-operative Distributing Coy., Ltd.: —Prices compared with closing rates last series: Merino, greasy, good to super, unchanged; greasy, low to medium, par to id lower; scoured, good to super, id lb lower; scoured, low to' medium, par to Id lower; greasy fino crossbred, id dearer; medium and coarse, id to id lower; scoured fine crossbreds, id dearer; medium and coarse, unchanged; slipes, fine, id dearer; slipes, medium, id; slipes, coarse,

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS AND PRICES. t A steady demand for Government securities, with little response from sellers, was tho chief featuro of tho stock and share market yesterday. Thero was a slight improvement in, tho prices bid for tho 4j per cents. Extreme dullness marked tho other sections of the market, except goldmining shares, which wero slightly more active. In tho bank section, National of New Zealand weakened to a sale at 655, cum dividend) inqro being wanted at that price, compared with a salo at Auckland at 66s 6d. New Zoalands cased 3d to 40s 3d, sellers 41s 6d. Holders of Union of Australia cut their price Is to £7 4s. Australasias were again in demand at £8 7s 6d, sellers £8 17s 6d. Commercial of Australia wore steady at 13s 4d, sellers 13s 9d. Thero was a limited inquiry for other shares. Goldsbrough, Morts gained 2d at 20s 6d. Wellington Gas preference were 3d better at, 18s 6d, cum dividend. Holders of South British eased their price 9d to 52s 6d. Goar Meats wore on offer 3d cheaper at 26s 9d. Union Steam preference firmed to a salo at 20s 9d. More were wanted at 20s 7d, but sellers asked 21s. Following payment of tho interim dividend, Now Zealand Breweries eased Is to 24s 6d, sellers coming down to 25s 7d. Electrolytic Zinc, preference, were weak at 235, sobers asking 2s better. There was more inquiry for goldmining shares, but prices wero inclined to ease. Wailiis had a salo at 18s Bd, and thero were further buyers at 18s 6d. Blackwaters wero wanted at 20s 6d, cum dividend, sellers easing to I 21s 6d. YESTERDAY’S QUOTATIONS. Buying and soiling quotations at yesterday’s final call on the Wellington Stock Exchange were as follow: —

to Jd lower. Closed firm. Good competition. Total sold to Homo trado, 52,000 bales; to Continent, 65,000 bales. Closing values, Merino, greasy , good to super, 9id to Is; greasy, low to medium, 6jd to 9d; scoured, good to super, Is 4id to Is 8d; scoured, low to medium, Is 2d to Is 4d; greasy fine crossbreds, 9Jd to Is; greasy medium crossbreds, sid to Bjd; greasy coarse crossbreds, 4id to 53d; scoured fine crossbreds Is Id to Is 6d; scoured medium crossbreds, 7jd to lOjd;, scoured c-oarsc crossbreds, sjd to Bjd; shpes, fine, lOd to Is Id; medium and coarse, 6d to 9id.

Per ton. Per ton. Copper— £ 9. d. £ .. d. Standard,- spot 30 15 n 27 6 6 Standard, forward 31 3 u 27 13 9 *Electrolytio“~ ......... to 35 15 36 5 0 0 32 10 33 10 0 0 Wire bars 36 5 0 33 10 10 17 0 11 6 3 6 Forward Spelter— 11 15 0 11 4 14 15 3 15 2 6 0 15 8 9 14 18 9 Tin151 13 9 149 3 9 Forward ' Silver152 13 173d 9 150 6 17*d 3 Standard, per oz ... Fine, per oz 19*d 18fd ‘American, 5 cents a lb. +American, 21.90 cents a lb.

Tho range of prices Merino — is as follows:— d d Super-medium ... 7 2 to 9 Medium ... 6 to 7 Corriedalo — Super ... 8 to 10i Medium ... 81 to 9 2 Inferior ... 6* to 8 Fine Ilalfbrcd— Extra super • ... Hi to 12% Super ... 9J to 11 Medium ... 8i to 9 5 Inferior ... 63 to n Medium Halfbrcd— Super ... 83 to 10i Medium ... 7 b to 8 2 Inferior ... 5b to 7i Coarse Halfbred — Super ... 7i to 8A Medium ... ... 53 to 63 Inferior ... 4 to 5b Thrce-quartcrbrcd— , Super ... 6 to ‘2 Medium ... 4| to 0% Inferior ... 2 b to 41 Medium Crossbred — Super ... 4 to 54 Medium ... 3 to 33 Inferior ... 13 to 2b Pieces — Good ... 7 to 83 Inferior to average ... 3 to 6 Bellies — Good ... 5 to 7 Inferior to average ... ... 2 to 44 Crutchings— Medium to good ... ... 3 to Inferior ... 12 to 2i Locks— Best ... 2 to 23 Inferior to medium ... ... 1 to 13

Buyers. N.Z. GOYT LOANS- £ e. d. 4 p.e. Bonds, 1939 93 0 0 4£ p.c. ditto, 1938 93 0 0 5£ p.c. ditto, Feb, 1937 98 0 0 5£ p.c. ditto, Sep, 1937 97 15 0 4£ p.c. Stock, 1939 ... 93 0 0 4£ p.c. ditto, 1938 92 15 0 5£ p.c. ditto, Feb, 1937 97 15 0 5£ o.c. ditto, Sep, 1937 97 15 0 5j p.c. ditto, 1933 — 5£ p.c. ditto, 1937 95 5 0 5 p.c. ditto, tax free, 1937 96 5 0 DEBENTURES— Palmerston N., 6 p.c., 1945 — Sellers. £ s. d. 93 Y 6 99 10 0 99 5 0 Makcrua Drainage, 6 p.c., 1946 Christchurch Drainage, 5£ p.c., 1965 Waitomo E.P. Bd., 6 p.c., 1961 — 94 0 97 10 99 10 0 0 0 Wellington Gas Co. ... BANKS— 99 8 5 7 0 6 8 17 6 Comm, of A list., ord. National of N.Z National of Australasia, £10 paid New South Wales New Zealand 0 13 *3 5 .10 5 f2 0 4 0 0 3 0 13 27 0 2 1 7 4 9 0 6 0 FINANCIAL— Goldsbroiigh, Mort N.Z. Loan and Merc. Well. Invest., T. & A. Well. Trust and Loan Well. Dep. and Mort. GAS— Wellington, ord Ditto, prof INSURANCE— Aust. Prov. Assce. ... 1 0 1 9 *0 18 0 5 6 0 6 0 51 • 0 0 7 4 17 0 7 1 9 0 6 0 14 0 0 6 9 9 9 3 South British MEAT PRESERVING— 2 12 1 6 6 9 N.Z. Refrig., £1 paid Ditto, 10ts paid TRANSPORT— Union Steam, pref. ... WOOLLEN— Wellington, ord COAL— Westport TIMBER— 0 9 0 3 1 0 0 10 6 0 7 0 1 1 5 6 0 12 .0 6 0 Leyland-O’Bricn — 0 19 0 5 0 9 0 4 9 BREWERIES— 1 13 9 N.Z. Breweries Staples and Co +1 4 6 1 5 1 3 1 10 7 0 •3 MISCELLANEOUS— British Tobacco, ord. Burns, Philp — *1 10 2 5 46 10 3 0 0 Dental and Medical . Electro. Zinc, pref. ... Howard Smith, ord. National Electric N Z Drug 1 0 3 4 0 6 0 6 1 5 0 10 0 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farmers’ Fertiliser ... Wilson’s Cement Wool worths (N.Z.), 1 7 9 0 15 1 10 1 10 0 0 0 01DMoturoa, ord Taranaki MINING— 0 0 3 1 9 9 0 4 *1 1 3 6 Blackwater *1 0 6 11 6 Consol. Goldfields — 0 10 0 Golden Dawn 0 4 8 King Solomon 0 2 2 Mount Lyell *0 18 0 0 19 1 Okarito 0 8 0 Paddy’s Point 0 4 9 Waihi 0 18 6 0 18 10 Waihi Grand Junction — 0 3 6 Big River — 0 11 Nolcomai 0 5 9 0 6^ *Cum. dividend. +Ex dividend.