NORTHERN CATTLE MARKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15717, 18 September 1914, Page 7

NORTHERN CATTLE MARKET.

THE SHORTAGE OF BEEF [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] 1 Dargaville, Thursday. DnUNG the past two months 45(0 head of beef cattle have been forwarded from the North Auckland Peninsula to tincity, and a dearth of fat beasts and for ward steers is now becoming pronoumed As a consequence, '"unfinished" caitlt are now being bought by Northern butchers and agents for Auckland firm.-, being chiefly utilised by the latti-i for canning. In sympathy with the shortage of beef classes, three-year steers and grown cattle are .n steady d-rannd, and the market is unsatisfied.

This was indicated at the Dargr.villc and Arapohue sales this week, at which buyers were numerous. Ox h-.*»f ruse to 35s and cows to 28s per ICOM.-. and although there were full yardings I livers experienced disappointment at the I.raited extent of their purchases.

Feed is particularly plentiful for this season of the year, but the heavy drain for freezers has led to the preserr position. In dairying circles h«-ru testing has demonstrated that a. somewhat high percentage of the 6000 cows which form the Northern Wairoa milking herds arc practically valueless from a butter-fat. point of view, and some suppliers are keenly watching the rising values in order to dispose of their " boarders'' for consumption. The same remark is applicable to every dairying district in the Domin.'.on, and it is- reasonable to surmise that at least 5 per cent, of the. 50,000 dairy cows in * North Atic'Jaad would, if placed in the stock sales, well repay their owners on a beef basis r whilst the same percentage, if drafted from the Dominion herds of 633,000 dairy cows, would speedily change a shortage into abundance and confer a distinct benefit, - on those farmers engaged in the. butiit and cheese industries. 5? ::