STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 8

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Br Daora.

WteWv Stock Sales : FtrtnShtly : BurasWe, Wednesdays lavercargill, Tuesdays Askburtom, Tuesday! . Monthly: Ad*i»Btom,Wednes*ay« p»lmer»ton. Fortnightly: Winton, and WaiBalclutta Fridays koualti. Gore. Tuesdays Pentixcally: CaHoaru, Tuesdays j Heriot, Kelsc and KyeI buna. The good rains that have fallen in all parts of New Zealand, Canterbury included, have had an immediate effect on the stock ; market 6o far as store sheep and lambs are concerned. The prices for export, however, are not affected, buyers being much more cautious than in previous years. T am inclined to believe prices will not advance, so that those who require store sheep to eat the abundant feed in prospect must remember that they may pay too dear j for tbeir«- whistle. There is always a tendency to run prices of store sheep too high and leave buyers without any margin, j It is poor satisfaction to merely have sjpek ( to keep the abundant vegetation in oheck. ; A farmer needs more than this. The latest i report from Messrs Weddel and Co., under isate January 17, indicates that there was then a dulness in the meat market, and cables since received show that this dulness continues. C.i.f. buyers have in previous years .lost money, their lo3s last year being particularly heavy, and there is no free buying as in the past. Messrs Weddel and Co. say MUTTON. New Zealand. —Arrivals during the fortnight eiuount to 73,847 carcases. The demand for j mutton continues slow, and prices are easier, j "Values for prime Canterbury sheep slone keep fairly steady, in consequence of the scarcity of thai description. North Island aheep are being offered at reduced prices, \zX do not meet with a ready sale, as most of the parcels have been stored for some time. To-day's quotations are as follows: — j Prime Cant^rburys (nominal), 48-56!b, 4d i V 4M; 56441b, 3Jd; and heavier weights 3Jd ♦o Bjd- North Islands and Southlands are ifcalinmg 3Jd to 3£d for light and medium ■weights, and 3|d to 3£d for other descriptions. Staes are also easier at 2Jd to 3d. Australian. —Arrivals amount to 38,085 carSftses. The Bale of this description of mutton U greatly hampered by the low values ruling for Riv«* Plate sheep, which are now quoted -within • very small fraction of the Ausfcra)itti article. Prices in consequence are again A «h«de eui»r, to-day's values being 2Jd to 2 fe-ied for light and medium, and 22* fox lw»Ties. Biver Plate. —lmportations amount to •Bly $6,867 carcases. Although this total is by no saeans excessive, &» d*ir*uKt for mutton c«ner»lly is so slow that holders find it & difficult matter to oope witte stocks. In or<S*i to try and pu«a s»i«f. prices have bfeu fu#U»*r Mdnoaa, and to-day ax« quoted hi 8d fc» foot liffot weight oar owe.-*, ild to < li Jar ns*2»*m w«i«faU, *n<S 2?£ U> 2*V for j hHx*T trades. I