Cattle Market Good; Sheep Are Dull

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1939, Page 5

Cattle Market Good; Sheep Are Dull

With the exception of sheep, the Northland stock markets are very satisfactory, according to the representative of a local stock firm.

Although feed is not as plentiful now as it has been for the past two or three seasons at this time, graziers have nothing to fear provided there is a good downpour of rain within the next week or so.

No sheep fairs have been held in Northland this year, but this particular stock agent is in touch with Waikato and southern markets. Lambs in the Waikato have been meeting with a ready sale while, store wethers are much cheaper than anticipated. Kamo Sale Watched. Both vendors and purchasers are very anxious to see what prices will be obtained for breeding ewes at the opening fair at Kamo on Thursday next.

At this time of the year one or two of the best known local breeders of rams have usually sold half of their rams for forward deliveries, but this year, owing to facial eczema or other conditions, * forward sales are practically nil. The fat lamb business has passed its peak and lambs for export are easily down 50 per cent. Cattle In Good Position. The agent reports that the cattle market is much on a par with last year. Good lines of-s well bred forward cattle fit to go; into the fattening paddock are being much sought after. Smaller cattle are a little hard to quit, but this is usual at this time of the year.. Business in dairy cattle at present is at its lowest ebb, but this season’s calves should soon be coming onto the market. One local firm already has an outside order for good quality Jersey heifer calves. The export price of chilled and frozen ox beef is quite good, according to the agent interviewed, and it looks like remaining firm. Both boner bull and boner cow prices are very satisfactory.