FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 244, 12 September 1933, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

FARMING NOTES. LAMBS DOING WELL. (By “Observer.”) Sheepfarmers in the Manawatu district report that tho lambing season has so far proved very successful, there being good percentages of twins and low mortality. The ideal spring weather experienced of late has been beneficial to lambs and good progress has been made in their growth. Compared with other years, it is stated that lambs in general are well forward and an early freezing works season is anticipated. Ewes are reported to bo in excellent condition also, having enjoyed a mild winter and a good early spring growth of feed. Judging from the high percentage of twin lambs there seems no doubt that the present season will eclipse previous figures relative to lambs handled at abattoirs, works, and slaughtering houses. In tho New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, figures supplied by the Live Stock Division show that the total number of sheep killed at abattoirs, works, and slaughterhouses throughout the Dominion for the year ended March 31, 1933, was 3,569,598. The year previous finished with a total number of 4,464,894. It will bo seen that the number of sheep handled for the year ended March 31, 1933, was 895,296 lower. In striking comparison, the number of lambs killed for tho year ended March 31, 1932, was 8,689,196. while the total killings for the year ended March 31, 1933, aggregated 9,718,585 —an increase of 1,029,389.

MIXED FARMING

While the upward trend of wool values is a healthy sign, and the gap between cost of production market vaiues is diminishing, there is still room for'much needed improvement. The increases which have been registered, however, havo been sufficient to induce some tanners who had been dairying in conjunction with sheep to revert to sheepiarming alone. Others will, no doubt, continue to practise mixed farming on account of the expense they have been put to in installing dairying plant and stock. The present economic situation points to mixed farming being favoured more than it has hitherto. Every possible avenue for supplementing income on the tann has been explored, and contributing side-lines to dairying, such as pigs, poultry and bullocks, arc. to be found on many farms. In connection with pigs there certainly appears room for additional numbers. For the year ended March 31, 1933, the total number of pigs killed at various factories and slaughterhouses throughout New Zealand was 532,123, while the- previous year’s total was 430,914. The poultry farmer, however, cannot boast of any scarcity of eggs, and in fact it is many years since prices for eggs were as low as at the present time. The keeping of poultry in conjunction with dairying,, however, may prove remunerative, as waste products can be utilised and other necessary food grown without much expense. THE DOG ON THE FARM.

A good dog plays an important part on the farm and saves the farmer much time and energy. It is an animal which, responds - intelligently to training and is a faithful friend. In its work with stock or acting in the capacity of guardian, the dog may be depended upon to give tho service expected of it. Its reliability and usefulness depends to a largo degree on its breeding, and training and kindness. In connection with kindness, it is not intended that it should be pampered as this will probably spoil it and result in its becoming neglectful and lazy, but there may be scope for improving the shelter provided for the dog at night. A good comfortable kennel situated in a sheltered spot is what every working dog is entitled to. It must be conceded that in many cases farmers do not make adequate accommodation for their dogs. Probably the lack of consideration is due to recognition of the fact that the dog is not a direct producer of revenue. It has, how-ever, considerable value and is a necessity on the farm. It therefore merits kindness and consideration. Other useful purposes are served by dogs and the extermination of rabbits and birds is possible with suitable and trained animals. In regard to the former it is observed that rabbits are becoming a menace and organised efforts are to be made to endeavour to rid farmers of this pest

PROVISION FOR HAY. Soon dairy farmers will be shutting up paddocks for hay. Adequate areas should be set aside lor this purpose. We have enjoyed a wonderfully mild winter this year, but it is not possible to forecast the kind of weather we may experience next winter and therefore it is wise to be on the safe side and make sure that the areas provided for hay are sufficient to produce an adequate supply in the event of a severe winter.

RURAL RAKINGS. A lamb with unusual markings has been born at Onetangi, Waiheke, and has attracted considerable interest among residents. The animal’s wool is pure black on the hind legs and half the rump, the remainder being the usual colour. Nearly 700 sacks of .maize were conveyed to Tauranga by launch and scow last week from Motiti and Matakana Islands. A portion was shipped to Auckland and the balance was despatched b.v rail to the King Country and the Waikato. Considerable criticism was levelled at the present system of grading when the matter came under discussion at the annual meeting of the Masterton Dairy Company. It was the general opinion that another method apart from the human smell and taste method should bo employed. During a visit to England, Mr F. N. Ambler, of Auckland, was impressed with the amount of business done with Danish butter in the North of England and the Midlands compared with the New Zealand product. In a township of 40,000 people he found that 4001 b of Danish butter was sold to 281 b from New Zealand. “It was quite different in the South,” he added. “There New Zealand butter and lamb seemed to be most popular.” Prices received for wool at Wanganui at the last main sale of' the season, held in April, compared with the crutehing sale held there on August 18, show that an increase of £1 3s per bale was made last month Whereas in April a bale of wool averaged £5 13s Id, those sold at the crutching sale realised an average of £6 16s Id At the August sale, 3848 bales were offered 3427 were sold, while the proceeds amounted to £23,328 15s 9d. The average price per pound was 4.425 d. For several weeks many thousands of “bobby” calves have been sent to the freezing works at Moercwa, North Auckland bv train and lorry, and approximately 30,000 have been killed for export The end of this month will see the close of the season for “bobby” calves. The prices realised have ranged from 4s to 8s each and farmers consider this more profitable than keeping the calves for two years and selling them at present ruling prices. Dairy farmers generally have kept only a few selected calves, although a few dairymen are not disposing of any of their young stock (says the Auckland H Unusual fertility among sheep has been recorded on a stud farm at Maxwell reports the Wanganui Chronicle No fewer than 23 ewes have triplets, and all the 69 lambs are alive and doing well. It is reported that docking and marking of lambs has commenced in some districts and that good percentages are expected. Quite a lot of twins have arrived tins season but there are complaints of an unusual number of late lambing ewes. The remarkably fine weather has had the effect of improving the percentages, as very few lambs have been killed by the weather, while it has also brought lambs and ewes through in particularly good coninsubstantial advance has lately occurred in the prices of pigs in the Waikato, and should present values continue dairy farmers and others engaged in the rearing and fattening of pigs for the market will receive an* appreciably greater return this season than for some years past (says an exchange). At last week’s stock sale at Pukekohc, ‘ the price for baconers touched £2 19s. At the beginning of June, which marks the opening of the season, the top price was £2 15s. A year ago it was £2 10s All classes of pigs have risen in value. Generally speaking, they are realising about 7s a head more than in Juno and 10s a head more than a year ago.

DAIRY PRODUCE MARKET. FACTORS INFLUENCING BETTER PRICES. DRY WEATHER IN NORTH EUROPE Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., have received from London tho following cabled advice, dated September 9: —New Zealand butter, 98s per cwt. Now Zealand cheese, white, 51s to 52s per cwt, coloured 52s to 535. Both markets firm.

Reports from nearly all butter producing countries in the Northern Hemisphere announce hot, dry weather conditions, with a consequent falling off in supplies, state the New Zealand agents for Messrs W. Weddel and Coy., Ltd., in their monthly market report. This is especially so in England and Ireland, whore the position is moro acute, but similar conditions have boon experienced in Continental countries. At the samo time, a dry spring in Australia has rotarded the commencement of their butter export season, the bulk of the production to date being required for local consumption. Those circumstances havo combined to cause what has been termed “an acute shortage of supplies in sight for tho London market,” with tho consequent firming of tho market. During August prices rose steadily from 82s on August 1 to 92s 6d on September 1. with a further rise of 3s recorded on September 6. AUSTRALIAN SHIPMENTS LOWER. Somo idea of conditions in Australia may be gathered from a comparison of shipments of butter from that country for tho first seven weeks of tho season, namely:—

New Zealand butter gradings for August show a very considerable increase over last year’s figures, and weather conditions throughout tho Dominion indicate that September production will also bo greater than last year. The future will depend very much on tho weather conditions ruling in Australia during tho next month, but a steady market is expected until Southern Hemisphere shipments show a . considerable increase on present quantities. CHEESE POSITION IMPROVES.

The stock position of cheese has improved during the month, although the market has been slow and disappointing. The market, however, has shown a steady improvement since the beginning of this month and has followed the rise in butter. Messrs Weddel and Co., Ltd., cable that the stock position of cheese in the United Kingdom is healthy and they expect a firm market. While forward buyers of cheese have been showing no interest, there has been quite a fair activity for forward butter, but only for early shipment. Buyers have been prepared to pay up to 10gd for butter being carried in steamers sailing early in September, with slight reductions for later September shipments. So far there has been no activity for shipment later than September. NEW ZEALAND SUPPLIES FOR BRITAIN. Tho estimated arrivals of New Zealand butter and cheese in the United Kingdom during Scptcmber-Octobcr-November compare with the actual arrivals in previous seasons as follow :

LONDON WOOL SALES. HIGHER PRICES EXPECTED. Referring to the London wool sales which open on September 19, a cable message received by Dalgety and. Co., Ltd., from their head office says a strong demand is expected. Merinos and fine crossbreds will probably be 10 per cent to 15 per cent, higher, and crossbreds (other descriptions) probably 10 per cent, higher as compared with the closing rates of the July series. The following range .of prices was quoed by Dalgety and Co., Ltd,, London, at the close of the July sales:

At the opening wool sales of the season held in Edinburgh early in July last there was a large and representative attendance of buyers from all the principal manufacturing centres. A strong demand was in evidence, especially for the best quality wools, but the faulty and inferior sorts were somewhat neglected. Prices generally showed a rise of from 25 per cent to 30 per cent on July, 1932, rates. Current quotations were as follows : Cheviot hogget, washed 9|d. to lOd. unwashed, 7 3-4 d to Bd, Cheviot ewe, 9id to lOd, to 8d; halfbred hogget, B|d to BAd, ijd to 7 3-4 d; halfbred ewe, 7jd to Bu, 6 3-4 dto 7d; crosses, —, ssd to s£d. Some specially god lots made slightly more than these prices.

BRISBANE WOOL SALES. GREASY MERINO 21? d. BRISBANE, Sept. 11. There was excited bidding at the wool sales to-day. Early prices for greasy Merino soared to 21Jd.

LONDON MARKETS.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. The Department, of Agriculture has received the following cablegram, dated September 9, from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London:— Tallow.—No auction this week. Market quiet and tendency easier for forward shipment. Spot quotations nominally unCl Hemp]— Manila market quiet, but fully steady at about last rates quoted. Sisal market firm for epot and afloat and No. 1 grade sold £lB 10s. Forward shipments quiet and value September-November shipment £lB. New Zealand market quiet and nominally unchanged on the. basns of highnoints September-October shipment £ls .ss. 1 Eggs.—Market weak. English, national pack, 14s 6d to 18s 6d; English ordinary pack, 15s 6d to 16s; Danish, 11s to 13s; Australian, nominal, 11s 6d to 12s 6d. Apples. —Trade slow at about Is below last week’s rates.

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS AND PRICES. Thero was a very firm tone in the Wellington stock and share market yesterday, advanced rates being quoted for a 'number of shares. Government loans and local body debentures wore comparatively quiet, with no quotable change in prices. Banks again showed a hardening tendency. Sellers asked 1113 10s for Australasias. Commercial of Sydney made a sharp advance in a sale at ±ll7 15s, with late buyers in at £l7 11s. E.S. and A.’s moved up Is 6d to £5 7s 6d. National of New Zealand were firm at 81s 6d, sellers asking 85s. New South Wales were bid for at £3l 17s 6d, but sellers wanted £32 10s. New Zcalands sold at 495. Tho long-term mortgage shares were 6d up at 33s 6d, sellers 345. Union of Australias made a further advance to £9 15s 6d, a gain of 6s 6d in a week, but sellers quoted £lO 2s 6d. There was another rise in New Zealand Guarantee Corporations, which sold on change at 7s 3d and 7s sd, more being wanted at the former figure. New Zealand I/oan and Mercantile ordinary stock sold late on Saturday at £52 ss, and there were inquiries yesterday at £sl. Dalgetys were firm at £lO 2s 6d, no sellers. Wellington Trust and Loan advanced to 795, a gain of 9s during the last month, sellers offering at 90s. Gas shares wore a firm market and insurance shares also indicated a firmer tondency. Wellington Woollens, both issues, made a sharp advanco to £5 10s, but sellers did not come in. Gear Meats sold firmly at 335, as did New Zealand Refrigerating 10s paid at 9s. New Zealand Breweries were unchanged at 38s and Staples advanced 6d at 28s 6d. Miscellcnaous shares were all quoted at firm rates. D.I.C. preference were 3d better at 20s 8d and New Zealand Drugs were 6d up at 67s 6d. Little change was seen in mining shares.

YESTERDAY’S QUOTATIONS.

Following are yesterday’s buying and selling quotations as recorded on the Wellington Stock Exchange:— Buyers. Sellers.

FOREIGN EXCHANGES. POSITION OF STERLING. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 9. The following rates on foreign exchanges were current to-day, compared with par:Sept. 9. Par.

1931 1932 1933 Tons Tons Tons 6200 7700 2900

BUTTER. 1931. 1932. 1933. Tons. Tons. Tons. September .. 4,910 7,729 8,343 October 4,424 3,068 6,600 November .. 6,561 11,290 12,200 15,895 22,087 27,143 CHEESE. 1931. 1932. 1933. Tons. Tons. Tons. September .. 2,997 5,994 5,740 October 3.022 2,336 3,600 November .. 3,232 5,439 4,700 9,251 13,769 14,040

MerinoGood to super ... d. d. 13£ to 15 Lower to medium 10 to 12£ Halfbred, 56/58— Good to super 13 to 15 Low to medium 10 to 12 Halfbred, 50/56 — Low to medium 9 to 11 Good to super ... 11£ to 13 Fine crossbred, 46/48 — Good to super ... 8 to 10* Low to medium 6£ to 73 Fine crossbred, 46/48 — Good to super ... 7 to 9 Low to medium 6 to 7 Crossbred, 44/46— Good to super ... 6£ to It Low to medium 5£ to 6| Crossbred, 40/44 — Good to super ... 6 to 7 Low to medium 5i to 5| Coarse crossbred, 36/40Good to super ... 5£ to 6| Medium to good 5 to 5£

N.Z. GOVT. LOANS — £ s. d. £ s. d. 4 p.c. Bonds, 1940 ... — 101 10 0 4 p.c. ditto, 1946 100 5 0 — 4 p.c. ditto, 1949 101 0 0 — 4 p.c. ditto, 1955 100 10 0 — 34 p.c. Ins. Stock, 1939-52 — 101 12 6 4 p.c. ditto, 1940 100 15 0 101.10 0 4 p.c. ditto, 1946 100 7 6 — 4 p.c. ditto, 1949 101 0 0 — 4 p.c. ditto, 1955 100 10 0 — DEBENTURES— Well. City, 54 p.c., 1940 - 101 10 0 Ditto, 41 p.c., 1953 ... — 101 10 0 Makerua Dge. Bd., 6 p.c., 1946 — 95 0 0 New Plymouth H.B., 53 p.c., 1/2/1946 — 101 5 0 Well. Gas Co 102 10 0 • Well. Racing Club ... 94 0 0 — BANKS— Australasia — *13 10 0 Comrcl. of Aust.. ord. 0 16 0 0 16 4 Comrcl. Banking Co., Sydney 17 11 0 — Eng., Scot, and Aust. 5 7 6 — National of N.Z 4 1 6 4 5 0 New South Wales 31 17 6 32 10 0 New Zealand 2 8 9 2 9 5 Ditto, “D” long term 1 13 6 1 14 0 Union of Aust 9 15 6 10 2 6 FINANCIAL— Dalgety and Co 10 2 6 — Goldsbrough, Mort. and Co — 1 9 9 N.Z. Guar. Corp., ord. 0 7 3 — N.Z. Loan and Merc., ord. stock 51 5 0 55 0 0 Well. Trust, Loan ... 3 19 0 4 10 0 GAS— Christchurch 1 7 3 — Ditto, contrib 0 13 2 — Napier, ord 9 10 0 — Ditto, pref 9 10 0 — Wellington, ord 1 13 1 1 13 9 INSURANCE— National of N.Z U 17 5 — New Zealand 2 13 6 2 15 0 South British 3 12 0 — Standard 2 18 0 — MEAT PRESERVINGGear Meat, cum rights 1 12 10 1 13 3 N.Z. Refrig., £1 paid — 0 19 2 Ditto, 10s paid 0 9 0 0 9 2 Well. Meat Ex., pref. 0 15 6 — TRANSPORT— Union Steam, pref. ... 13 3 — WOOLLENWellington, ord 5 10 0 — Ditto, pref 5 10 0 — COAL— Grey Valley — 0 14 0 TIMBER— Lcvland-O'Jirien 0 16 0 0 17 9 BREWERIES— N.Z. Breweries 1 18 0 1 19 0 MISCELLANEOUS— Burns, Philp and Co. 2 11 0 2 12 3 Colonial Sugar 58 5 0 58 12 6 Con. Brick and Pipe 0 5 8 — Donaghy’s Rope and Twine 2 0 0 — D.I.C., pref 1 0 N.Z. Drug *3 7 9 — 6 — N.Z. Farmers’ Fertiliser — *0 16 3 Wilson’s Cement, cum. rights 1 16 0 • New Colosseum — 2 0 0 Prestige (N.Z.), Ltd., prof — 1 2 • u N.Z. Newspapers 1 7 0 — Milburn Lime *1 10 0 — OILMoturoa, ord 0 1 9 — MINING— _ . Alexander, fully paid — *1 0 b Big River 0 1 6 0 1 81 Blackwater i 18 u Consol. Goldfields ... 0 18 0 Golden Sands 0 3 2 0 3 7 King Solomon 0 2 11 — Nokomai 0 3 0 0 3 0 Okarito *0 12 0 0 12 6 0 1 7 6 Waihi Grand Junction 0 4 0 0 4 7 Bell Hooper 0 0 11 0 1 2 Bell Kilgour 0 1 6 0 iSi 4 U d y *Cum. dividend.

New York, dol. to £1 4.52i 4.866 Montreal, dol. to .Cl . 4.75 4.866 Paris, francs to £1 .. 8129-32 124.21 Brussels, bel. to £1 .. 22.975 35.00 Geneva, francs to £1 . 16.61 25.225 Amsterdam, florins to £1 7.95 12.107 60 13-16 92.46 Berlin, marks to £1 .. 13.455 20.43 Stockholm, knr. to £1 19.375 18.159 Copenhagen, knr. to ii 22.40 18.15S Oslo, knr. to £1 19.90 18.159 Vienna, schgs. to £1 .. *29.50 34.585 Prague, knr. to £1 .. 108.24 164.25 'He) fors marks to £1 226 30 193.23 Madrid, pes. to £1 •• 38 7-16 25.225 Lisbon, esc. to £1 .... 106 110 Athens, drach. to £1 . 570 57 b Belgrade, din. to £1 . — 2/6.31 Bucharest, lei to £1 . 540 813.60 Warsaw, zloty, to £1 • — 43.38 Rio de J., p. to mil ... +41 5.899 B. Aires, p. to peso .. +431 47.62 M.Video, p. to peso . *36 51 Calcutta, p. to rup. .. 18 1-16 18 Shanghai, p. to dol. .. 16 3-16 — H.-Kong, p. to dol. . 16.875 — Y’hama, p. to yen .. 13 15-16 24.582 Batavia, florins to £1 •Nominal ... 7.95 - fOAirial 12.107