Conditions of Live Stock Market

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 288, 5 December 1936, Page 12

Conditions of Live Stock Market

TONE OF SALES QUITE SOUND, Speaking at the annual meeting in Feilding yesterday of shareholders of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-op. Distributing Co., Ltd., Mr T. Currie (Wanganui), I 'Tfaaimnan- of directors, said: "On the whole the tone of stock sales throughout our territory has been particularly sound, and although of necessity, some • variation of prices has occurred at different periods of the year, it is satisfactory to note that the results of last season’s operations have given an income to our farmers somewhat higher than that ruling for several years past. Favourable weather conditions during the lambing seaso.. nave given higher percentages —pri-r—rtr.ary Tcturns showing that some 800,00.0 lambs more than last year will be available for export. Owing to wet weather during o the past month'/lambs have not fattened as well as desired, and it is now, apparent that killing operations will be somewhat delayed. Store sheep, particularly ewe hoggets, have been in very strong demand throughout the year, and there is now no doubt that the current wool clip will realise prices higher than for some seasons past, it may be confidently anticipated that values of sheep of all classes will, for some time to come, remain very firm. Store run cattle have been in consistent demand. Owing, however, to the high prices ruling, buyers have been somewhat timid and values have shown some fluctuation from sale to sale. The chilled beef trade being now firmly established, two and three-year-old steers, suitable for this class of business, which formerly were secured by hill country farmers, are now sought by fatteners, consequently prices for this class have been very firm and are practically on a level with those ruling for grown cattle. "Sales of dairy stock have been very active and values have fully recovered from the stagnation which existed during the past few years,’’ he continued. The purchase by the Government of the whole of the Dominion’s dairy produce is a departure from established custom. It is admitted by those responsible for tho legislation that the scheme is a huge experiment, and at tho moment it is not possible to forecast whether or not, taking into consideration the largo increase in farming costs, tho net return to our dairyfarmers will ho greater or less than, that ruling over a period of years under previous producing and marketing conditions and custom.

"On the whole, there is no doubt that the results for the past season’s operations have brought to the farmers returns higher than anticipated, and with the continuance of tne present strong demand that exists for our primary products, wo may, I think, look-,; forward with every confidence to the immediate future,’’ he concluded.