OUTLOOK FOR STOCK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23691, 24 December 1938, Page 12

OUTLOOK FOR STOCK

EFFECT OF WEATHER CONDITIONS THE EXPORT MARKET At the present time there is a surplus of feed on most of the farms. This position has been brought about to a considerable extent through farmers not having sufficient stock available to eat up the feed. Farmers, following on the dry conditions which prevailed in the autumn, had to cut down the numbers of their stock. The continuous wet weather is having a detrimental effect on the condition of lambs, and unless drier weather is experienced in the near future there will not be nearly the same per centage of fat lambs drafted this season. Up to date it is understood that only about half the number of lambs have been killed for export this season, as compared with this time last year, and they have not killed as heavy. The lush growth has obviously affected the quality of the lambs. The fat lamb schedule of the freezing companies is an attractive one in Otago at present, being on a basis of 8d per lb. this price being Id per lb above the rates ruling in the North Island. A keen demand has been experienced from the spring onwards for store cattle, and these continue to sell at high rates, ranging from £5 to £6 for yearlings, £7 10s to £8 15& for two-year-olds, and £9 to £ll 10s for three and four-year-old stores. These prices are on a higher basis than has been the case for several seasons past. As regards fat cattle, these are not coming to hand as usual, as compared with other years, and on acount of the shorter supply prices rule high. The fat sheep coming on the market are principally of a medium description. There is indeed not the same percentage of the heavier grades. Prime heavy ewes and wethers still meet with a good inquiry, but the market for the lighter descriptions has an easier tendency, and ft is. anticipated that the export prices for these will be considerably lower this year.