WAIKATO VALUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22896, 26 November 1937, Page 9

WAIKATO VALUES

EFFECT OF WEATHER POOR GROWING SEASON * MARKETS LACK BUOYANCY The benefit that was expected from the recent rains did not accrue. Drying winds again followed, with low temperatures at night,- but further rains have fallen and may alter the outlook. Much disappointment has been felt on account of the slow growth and, in consequence, the buoyancy that the better prospect promoted is giving'way again to the apathy which proceeded it. Except in the case of beef, which well maintains its ground, all other stock classes tend to decline. In this drift there is no exception, apart from the instance quoted. Such a result in a season promising so' well is disappointing, though even yet, true spring weather might rekindle interest. The prospect, apart from wool, "seems as bright as ever, and only the lack of farm sustenance, it would seem, opposes the natural desire to reap profit therefrom. Although the season was commonly supposed to be favourable to lamb growing, the number despatched to date is not as large as expected. Tho price of 9d still stands, and is Jd a lb. higher than at tho corresponding date a year ago. Conditions in tho separate sections are:— BEEP In a week of declining values, it is pleasant to he able to record the immunity of one section. Very steady markets for beef exist everywhere, and, although the rougher classes of cow beef were in less keen demand at t'rankton this week, ox b.eef showed improvement, with good cows firm. The entry was the smallest seen at the central yards for some time.' Prime ox sold from 38s to 40s; ordinary ox. 31s to 3(is; prime heifer, 34s to 375; young cow, 31s to 335; Jersey cows, 22s to 245; rough cows, 19s to 21s. MUTTON Markets at present are being overburdened and badly need the assistance of export competition to suppoit them. Wethers at present, except for the choicest, must be within the exportable value limit. The highest rate at the central yards this week was 27s 9d, bul with many lots much under that figure. Ewes were -down a couple of shillings from the previous sale, but on that occasion, owing to a short market, rates rose b.v the same amount above ;he ruling standard, so that this week's values are in reality only back to normal. Best wethers sold from 26s to 27s 9d; Southdowns, 21s lid to 25s 9d; plain wethers, 24s lid to 25s (id; heavy ewes, 10s to 235; plain ewes, llis to 17s 9d; shorn hoggets, 22s to 2os 3d; lambs, 20s to 2Ss. STORE CATTDE As already stated, the hope inspired by last week's rain died almost as quickly. Conditions since have been mostly unfavourable to growth, and farmers seem little disposed to increase their stock holdings. Fortunately there is not a great amount offering, indeed, the contrast in relation to previous years is most noticeable. Values throughout are lower and the majority •of sales are poorly attended. Boner cows, which for a long period have maintained firmness at a high level, now join in the backward slide, though unfortunately f;om more serious than climatic causes. Hides are lower, and even for meat, according to report, the demand is less certain. Steers generally, in spite of the high value of beef, have fallen out of favour. Store cows, if not to the same extent, have, at any rate, lost much ground. Jersey heifers, which maintained high rates until recently, arc now feeling the depression with the rest. It is probable, however, if growing weather succeeds the present beneficent rainfall, that a gradual revival will be witnessed. STORE SHEEP This section, which has stood up buoyantly in face of the decline in both wool and mutton, is at last responding to the depressing influence. Competition lately has been much weaker, and business at the moment is difficult to negotiate. Hoggets of both sexes are greatly below recent levels, while for ewes and lambs only the really good lines attract. Aged and broken-down sorts make little appeal, even with fair lambs to aid them, and it looks as if the supply of these will be greater than ever this season. DAIRY CATTLE ' Although values are not high, there is still a demand for all brought forward. Dairy cows run from £5 10s to £8 10s; best heifers, to £9 10s; medium, £7 to £8; Email. £4 10s to £5 15s.

PIGS Following a tendency in the outlying markets to decline, Prankton showed it more | decisively on Tuesday, all fat classes being < lower by 2s to 3s a head. Stores, on the contrary, were very firm, and in many instances'improved. Baconers sold to £4; medium, £3 8s to £3 lis; light, from £3; buttermilk pips, £2 13s to £3 ss; heavy pork- .. its, £2 ys to £2 15s; light, from 3Ss: : store pigs, '-8s to 3Ss; slips, 18s to 26s tfd; good weaners, ISs to 2ls; others, from 105.