STOCK NOTES.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 15, 9 August 1905, Page 2

STOCK NOTES.

Tl . . Jnx 1906, It is only natural that m July when farmers have already bought owes for breeding and wethers and hoggets for feeding off turnips—that transactions m sheep should be restricted m number, and this month has been no exception to the general rule. In former years, owing to the demand hefng curtailed, it has generally been considered pretty safe fo rthose who are understocked to hang eff until the early spring to fill their requirements, m the hope that stress of weather and failing feed would compel some of their too sanguine brethren to sell at a sacrifice m the open market. The very mild weather we are fcowever experiencing this winter must have checked any such hopes, and those who have held off up to now -m the tear of being loft are risking the market, with the result that store sheep of all classes have advanced to famine price*? and it is a poor line of hogget* that will not fetch 17s ; while ewes m lamb are m even greater request. Whether these prices are w»rranted, time alone can decide. It is rumoured that owing to the open winter,, there is likely to be a surplus of ehe.p io Canterbury and that the demand m Southland will be met by consignments of sheep from the north, thus reversing the usual order of things ; and although we believe Northern sheep hare already found their way ac far as Rirersdale. still we do no 4 think any anxiety need be felt on this score, for not only will it shortly be too late to move lambing ewes, but it ie an acknowledged fact that Bheep from a northern climate do^'t do well m Southland and would bo heavily handicapped m our market on that aecoont ; therefore I venture to predict that prices will continue to advance until {-hearing, although at a more cautious rate than ot late ; ami that those who were pluoky enough to plunge early m the winter at what ■eemed then extravagant figures, will have cause at shearing time to congratulate themselves on their prescience. The future ef the fat market it is harder to determine. Late buyere are eompiamin* "»* * he,r . Purchases are not panning out satisfactorily and Booth to say, if their reported weights are correct, it is hard to ae* where their profit comes m, for tbey are cer. twnhy giving over the London equivalent. The answer to the conundrum probably is • The market is bare of prime wethers, and orders must be filled. In the meanwhile the market shows no sign oi weakening and we expect will advance with the growth of wool. The slight flutter that the advent of northern cattle buyers occasioned last month has un fortunately subsided with their departure and store cattle continue to be dull of sale. Southern speculators seem to have had all the heart k»ocked out of them and hope points only to the north, unless indeed as is probable, when tbe flush of feed comes with the spring, a demand is created by those who are unwilling or unable to face the high prices ruling for sheep and therefore place their faith m cattle On the other hand, owing to the short visible supply, f a » caule are at a premiumand are likely to remain so until the turnip cattle come m, and as oven these seem limited, compared with farov.r years, we anticipate no material change iv th- ne.ir future. Cattle men are also looking forward with keen interest to the arriv 1 of returns from the late shipments of cbille.l beef from New Zealand for the Home markets. For, should the venture prove successful, it would without doubt, favourably affect the local market and, m fact, create a fresh industry. *or whereas froaen New Zealand beef is hard to dispose of when thawed out, on account ol i-ii *PP earance aud flabby charaoter. chilled beef cuts up almost, if not quite as fresh looking as the newly killed. CURRENT PRICES. i Jr ce o p r F ?\ T eth ? r8 21s to 2 *» ; f a» ew«. 14s to 21s ; fat lambs 18a to 21s ; breeding ewes, yuung 24s to 28* ; breeding ewes, sounds to 255; breeding eweg, old, 14s to 18s ; boggets good, 16s fid to 18s ; medium los to 16e Cattle— Fat bullocks, 20s to 23s : s??<£ n f fe ifer ; 17a t? 218 ; forw * rd b « n °cks £o los to £6 : store bullocks, a and 3 years, i . £4 10a; y e "Kngß 25s to 40s ; calves 7« 6d to 20s.