STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 11

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Weekly Stock Sales. JSuruslde, Wednesdays Ashburton, Tuesdays Addington, Wednesdays Waiareka Railway Junction, Tuesdays. Fortnightly. Clinton, Thursdays Balclutha, Fridays Gore, Tuesdays Oamaru, Tuesdays Wallaoetown, Tuesdays Monthly".

ilataura & Waikouaitl find Thursday '.Riverton, 3rd Thursday Wyndham, last Thursday Bai/our & Thornbury. Ist Friday Uuntroon & Otautaa,

2nd Friday iiiversdale, 3rd Friday Waikaka last Friday.

Periodically. Heriot, Kciso, Waipiata* Lumsden, Idossburtt* Orepuki, Clifden.

Palmerston, Ist Monday bigapara <St Win ton, Ist Thursday

BURNSIDE MARKET

The yarding at Burnside on Wednesday of 1795 fat sheep comprised medium to fair, few pens of heavy sorts being offered. The high prices recorded at the previous sale were ruling at the opening, but were not obtainable throughout, the market casing la per head. Three pens of prime shorn sheep were included. Quotations: Prime heavy wethers to 50s, fair to 40s, unfinished to 30s, prime ewes to 40s, others to 30s. extra heavy sheep to 535, heavy shorn wethers 2Ss 9d, shorn ewes 28s 9d, good hoggets 22s to 265, spring lambs sold at 21s to 26s under keen competition. There were 115 fat cattle penned of mixed quality. All grades of cattle, however, appreciated in values upon the previous market's high rates, and opened at 30s higher and closed at 60s per head higher than last week’s rates, beef thus making round about 60s per 1001 b. Quotations: Prime heavy bullocks £22 to £24 10s, extra £26 10s, seconds £lB to £2l 10s, others to £l7 10s; best heifers to £l7, indifferent £l3, others £9 to £ll. In the store cattle pons there were some 130 medium cattle. Sales were freely made at improved rates on all sorts, medium yearling steers making £3 Is, steers £9 15s, two-year-olds £6 3r to £7 3s. The dairy cows offered were but medium, and values ranged from £6 to £8 10s. One hundred calves were penned, and sold at prices ranging from a few shillings to 255, _extra to 335. There were some 50 fat pigs penned, and twice the number of store sorts. Fats were dearer than at the previous sale, while stores made: For suckers 12s, small stores 16s to 17s, medium 20s to 275, a number being passed unsold at auction.

ADDINGTON YARDS. There was a fair yarding of fat sheep at Addington, most of them in the wool. Values ruled high at the opening, and rapidly firmed 2s 6d per head all over, compared with the previous week, the better grades a shade more. Quotations ; Prime heavy wethers 33s to 455, ’ seconds 27s to 32s 6d, others 22s to 275, extra heavy_ to 52s 6d, shorn wethers 17s to 335, prime heavy ewes to 365, seconds to 29s 6d, others 22s to 265, extra ewes to 43s 6d, shorn 26s to 365, woolly hoggets 17s to 375. There were 100 fat lambs penned, which sold freely at primes 20s to 255, seconds 17s to 19s 6d. The demand for the medium yarding of store sheep, mainly moderate ewes and lambs, good hoggets, and fair sorts of wethers, was active, and sales were fully up to last week’s quotations : Ewes and hoggets (good) to 255, fair to 20s, wethers 16s to 19s, shorn wethers 14s lOd, failing ewes and lambs to 13s, sound-mouthed to 15s 3d. The medium yarding of fat cattle, com prising both well-finished and indifferent animals, met a keen demand at enhanced values, beef appreciating 3s 6d to 6s per 1001 b, making from 56s to 545, extra 60s, per 1001 b. The store cattle pens were fairly well filled with ill-conditioned sorts. The demand was only fair, to a shade better than at the previous sale, yearlings £l7s6d, two-year-olds to £4 ss, two and a-haif £6 7s 6d, old thin cows £1 10s to £7 10s. The medium lot of dairy cows penned sold at £3 to £ll ss. An active demand was experienced for an average lot of fat pigs at improved prices, while store sorts sold freely. Fats made 65d to 7id per lb, medium stores to 325, small to 21s, weaners 9s to 17s.

SOUTHLAND STOCK SALES. Values of stock in all markets in Southland arc on the up-,grade, but transactions of sheep in the wool are not on a largo scale, and it is not anticipated that business in dry ehcep will bo extensive until the wool has been shorn, unless at tempting prices. Cattle are firmly held, and only what a month ago would have been thought big money •will tempt holders to part with well-grown conditioned stock. Clearing sales are well attended, and, with the abundance of grass everywhere, competition is free for all sorts. At Thornbury the following values were made:—Mixed wethers to 24a 7d, others 19s 7d down to 16s lOd, A lino of 147 crossbred Hereford steers and) heifers made £5 ss, ordinary yearlings £3 3s, other stock selling freely.

NORTH ISLAND STOCK SALES. Values of stock a £ various selected centres in the North Island were at last advices as follows:—South Auckland: Mixed yearlings £2 15s to £3 Is, well-grown yearling steers £3 17s to £4 7s, choice yearling heifers £3 4s to £3 Bs, two-year-old steers £5 19s, three-year-olds £8 10s to £9 2s, four-year-olds £l2 7s to £l2 11s. The tone of the market at Feilding in regard to sheep is still firm. Woolly wether hoggets to 20s 6d, shorn wethers 15s 4d to 18s. 6d (two and four tooths), two-tooth shorn ewes 15s 4d, mixed shorn 17s 10d, one and a-half year old Hereford heifers (empty) £4, one and a-half year old steers (good) £5 15s to £6 4s, yearling steers £3. At Manawatu: Yearling steers, small, to £1 15s yearling heifers £1 5s 6d, heifers in calf £3 2s fid, two-year springing heifers to £5 2s 6d; aged store cows £2, £2 10s; fair store cows £3 14s to £4 ss, forward cows £4 14a to £6 ss. At Taranaki: There is still a keen demand for fat stock, which maintained high prices. : Prime fat cows are bringing in some cases up to £l3, whilst at the Hawera sale fat w'ethors fetched 355, and prime fat ewes 35s lOd. At Poverty Bay: The demand was not good, except for grown store cattle and fats, and values were inclined to recode. About 4250 head of cattle were sent in, and the following were among the sales made: —Thirty-one fat bullocks £lO 15s, cows from £7 17s fid to £l2 10s, empty cows to £5 14s fid, 60 heifers at £5 12s fid, 29 at £3 15s, 95 steers at £6 10s, 30 cows at £5 ss, 50 steers £7 10s, 50 at £6 ss, 22 heifers £5 15s, 42 steers £3 12s fid, 28 at £5 10s. Young cattle and calves were hard to quit, those that were sold bringing low prices, especially if in low condition.

RECORD STOCK SALE AT BURNSIDE.

The price of stock at Burnside on_ Wednesday last was exceptionally high. The Burnside saleyards were opened in February, 1878, and never since that time have such high prices been Realised for beef as were paid on the 20th inst. Prices a fortnight ago wore the highest on record, but yesterday values of cattle ranged from £1 10s to £3 10s a head higher still. Following on a short supply, butchers’ stocks were depleted, and in consequence of the small yarding, numbering only 111 head, competition was keen, the supply proving quite inadequate for their requirements. Prime bullocks made up to £26 10s, which works out at an average of a little over £3 per 1001 b. Prices _ for sheep also were again very high, prime wethers realising up to 535, equal to 7£d per lb in the wool. On account of these high prices at the present time the butchering trade is said to be a very unprofitable one; and with view to improving their position somewnat, the butchers have revised their price-lists. The prices agreed upon show a considerable advance on late rates, the increase in retail rates varying from gd to 2d a lb. While these prices will prove somewhat severe on the heads of families, those connected with the stock market will fully understand that it is not the butchers who are reaping the benefit. The fact of the matter is, there is likely to be a shortage of fat stock for some time. Dry sheep are inclined to go back from now on until shorn. The operations of export buyers during the winter months are now beginning to tell. They practically cleaned the country out of prime stuff both in beef and mutton, and the present scarcity will be with us for some considerable time, as the scarcity of forward cattle is commonly recognised. Unless steps are taken to stop the killing off of steers (all ages), carrying, perhaps, some 2001 b of beef at the outside, beef must go higher yet. It is a senseless policy allowing the slaughter of animals that in the course of a few months might, in view of the great growth of feed, be turned into fair ‘-beeves.” The same thing applies in regard to the slaughter of cows, and this matter is not merely in this country, but in all lands. Read what the Tasmanian correspondent of the Pastoral Review says: “An agitation is gaining ground in favour of action being taken by the Government to prevent undue slaughter of female stock with the object of overcomig the serious shortage in the numbers of stock in the State. The advent of the canning works on the north-west coast has been responsible for the destruction of a large number of female cattle of breeding age. As many as 384 cows of breeding age were slaughtered per month for canning purposes. For eight months, from October to May last, 2023 cows of breeding age were slaughtered, in addition to 799 heifers and 312 calves, so altogether roughly 3000 females went into the canning tins. This, it is pointed out, must mean a serious inroad into the resources available for breeding up the herds again. The number of bullocks slaughtered in the same period for canning -was 997,. so that the demand has mostly been mad© on the female stock.”

MENACE TO CATTLE-RAISING. The menace to the cattle-raising industry of Tasmania, represented by what is known as the midland cattle disease, as disclosed by a deputation from the Tasmanian Farmers and Stock-owners’ Association, which recently waited on the Minister of Agriculture, is certainly a serious one. Though the ravages of the mysterious malady are greatest in the midland districts, the trouble has unfortunately spread, and the president of the association stated that losses were caused from it in the north, northwest, and south., The direct loss through Jgath is not the only one caused to the

cattle industry, but the prevalence of the disease makes cattle-raising such a precarious business that stock-owners do not it, and consequently the number of cattle in the State is seriously depleted. So far the disease has baffled all attempts at a remedy, or even a definite diagnosis of cause. The Minister has suggested malnutrition as a cause; but practical stockmen do not accept such a view. The deputation urged that a highly qualified expert should be engaged to study tiro disease. The stock-owners have been paying special taxation for the purpose, among others, of endeavouring to combat it. The deputation disclosed that there was a lack of co-opera-tion between the department and the stockowners. While the latter complained that the department had not treated them fairly, the Minister was emphatic in assorting tbat the veterinary surgeon had received no assistance from thet stock-owners, and deaths of cattle from the disease had not been reported to him. The officer believed he had discovered a euro, but he was hampered in his work by the failure of the stockowners to render him assistance.

CATTLE IN FIJI. The steamer Atua, which arrived at Sydney on October 6 from Fiji, brought news of a movement at Suva protesting against the export of live cattle from the group to Sydney. It was claimed that meat was dear enough already in Fiji, and the export of cattle would have a tendency to make it still dearer. The Atua expected a shipment of live stock for Sydney, but none was received. PRICE FOR A FAT BULLOCK. An Australian record in the price paid for a fat bullocks was put up at Burnie (Tasmania) recently. The animal was a purebred five-year-old Durham, and the purchasers Messrs J. J. Jacobs and E. G. Clark, each of whom carry on a butchering business in Burnie. Bidding began at £SO, and quickly rose to £9O. Before £IOO was reached bids were not confined to £l. From that figure the price steadily increased, and when £ll3 was called the animal became excited,’ and forced its way through the crowd. On being brought back he continued restless; but that did not interfere with bidding, and finally £l2O was reached. Van Dieman’s Land Company was the seller, the animal having been bred and fattened on its Circular Head property. The bullock weighed 23911 b.

DEMAND FOR LINCOLNS. The annual ram show of Lincolns, held at Lincoln, was most successful, and the very keen home demand was supported by a larger export demand than has been secured for many years. The summary of the last 10 years’ sales will be of interest for comparison, it is as follows:

Year. Average. Year. Average. 1906 .. .. 20 9 1 .1911 .. .. 10 3 9 1907 .... 14 19 0 1912 .. .. 910 3 1908 .. .. 10 18 3 1913 .. .. 12 11 8 190.9 .. .. 14 7 4 1914 .. .. 11 2 0 1910 .. .. 12 18 2 1915 .. .. 25 16 5 Some 100 out of the 249 sold -were for export. The highest price paid was 135 gs, the veteran breeder Mr John Pear’s lot making an average of £46 8s Bd, he securing the top price paid.

BOOM IN POTATOES. Tho potato market in Sydney early in the month was somewhat excited. A correspondent points out that on tho 4th inst. sales' were brisk in Sydney at from £lO to £ll per ton. The rise came suddenly, and values soon rose to £l3. Thereupon it dawned on the trade hero that not only was this between seasons for choice table potatoes of good carrying and keeping quality in Sydney, but that various factors were at work to” emphasise tho seasonable shortage. First, there was a series of sharp fillips to business through an unusual demand for export on commissar fat account. Next, the yields along the west coast of Tasmania had begun to peter out earlier than usual. Next, Dunedin advised that the yields of potatoes in the Middle Island had been depleted to such an extent that Auckland and other towns in the North Island would have to pay stiff prices—in fact, that Port Chalmers would bo in request to distribute southern tubers within the Dominion generally. The “ handful ” of Sydney-suburban cleaned potatoes, sold from dav to day at the vegetable market, reflected the general shortage, else these graded Up-to-Datcs would not have been realising such fancy prices (by the cwt) as at the rate of £lB to £24 per ton, on hotel, restaurant, and private establishments’ account. Evidently even the shrewdest of the Sydney agents had been caught napping. Had such a pronounced shortage of Victorian, Tasmanian, and New Zealand potatoes been foreseen, Sussex street would by this time have imported freely in the way of American Burbanks and_ other choice varieties. Private cables of inquiry have been sent, rather late in the day, by Sussex street to the United States. Meanwhile tho prophets in “ the street ” predict that choice table potatoes—“any colour, and any nationality ” —may touch £2O a ton in Sydney before the dearth is over.

THE WHEAT SUPPLY. Several merchants and millers, headed by the president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, waited upon aa a deputation the Hon. G. W. Russell, and pointed out how heavj losses had been incurred through the stocking up and holding of dear wheat

on the assumption that the statistical position, as forecasted, was correct. They wished that those who suffered a heavy loss should be granted relief, on account, as they alleged, the Government’s interference in the ordinary channels of merchants’ outlets, etc. Mr Russell sympathetically reviewed the position, and was understood to say that the Government, he had no doubt, would treat the deputation’s request justly, and suggested that a written statement of tho case be sent to the Prime Minister, which, he opined, would bo the quickest way to roach finality in the matter. The deputation thanked the Minister, and are to consider the suggestion.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

The prophecy was made by Mr J. G. Harkness, secretary of the National Dairy Association, in a speech at the opening of the To Horo choose factory, that before the end of the present year (milking season) the dairy produce exported from New Zealand would bo worth £5,000,000. A few years ago the dairying industry was despised in New Zealand, said Mr Harkness, yet it now promised to become the largest export trade of the dominion. The exports of butter from New Zealand during August totalled 2091 cwt, of a value of £16,561, as compared with 5596 cwt for August, 1914, : of a value of £32,242. For the first eight months of the present year the exports of butter amounted to 219,847 cwt, of a total value of £1,303,981, as against 249,129 cwt, of a value of £1,325,856 for the first eight months of 1914. Some 30,1850 wt of cheese, of a value of £118,672, was exported from the dominion during August, as against 76cwt only for August, 1914, of a value of £275. For the first eight months of each year, however, the figures are very similar, the advantage, indeed, in value, and much more so in weight, being rather with 1914. The figures for the first eight months of 1915 are 575,109 cwt, valued at £1,872,855; and for the first eight months of 1914 they were 651,490 cwt., valued at £1,932,066.

A return which has been received by rho Prime Minister (says the New Zealand Times) with reference to the export of meat for the year ended September 30 shows that 1,566,622 more carcases were shipped than during the previous 12 months. In view of the difficulty which has been experienced in getting space, Mr Massey regards this increase as exceedingly satisfactory. Writing to the'Prime Minister recently the High Commissioner pointed out that charges from the Argentine Republic to Great Britain were £ per lb lower than those from New Zealand, and that Argentine beef can be sent direct to France, whereas all New Zealand meat has to go to Great Britain to be graded. His opinion is that New Zealand beef costs the Board of Trade just as much as Argentine meat, but he is obtaining definite information on the point. The dreaded potato blight is prevalent at Horowhonua, and many crops of potatoes have been practically ruined (says the correspondent of the New Zealand Times). Several acres under cultivation by Chinese are literally black, and will mean the loss of several hundreds of pounds. Southland (says the News) has never enjoyed a better lambing season than the present, and percentages rule high. The offer of Griffon and Smith, Greymouth, of Is per lb for the season’s output of butter from the Kumara Dairy Factory has been accepted (says the West Coast Times). This is 3d in advance of last year’s price. x The value of live stock exported in August of this year was £6030, as against £2493 for August, 1914; while for the first eight months of 1915 the value of live stock exported was £172,021, as against £65,388 for the first eight months of last year. The recent rains at Tokomaru Bay were very copious (says the Gisborne Times). One resident found by his recording instruments that in all nine inches wore registered. As a sequel to the downpour slight damage was done to some of the roads. The rain proved splendid for the adjacent country. A Kakanui farmer has tailed from one paddock 134 per cent, of lambs. The sudden reversion to -winter conditions of the past few days has been very detrimental to the potato crops throughout North Otago, and everywhere the haulms that appeared so vigorous last week lie -wilted and blackened. The Oamaru Mail says that the district had a similar experience last year, but the crop was not ap>parently seriously affected. The Government regulations prohibiting the sale of cattle between the ages of nine months and two years operates rather hardly in a district like Olutha, said a buyer for a well-known export house the other dajr. “It might be all right where really wellbred cattle are concerned, but here, and especially in the Gatlins bush districts, there are a lot of young cattle that could advantageously be killed off for the export trade, and the disposal of that kind of ‘ stuff ’ would be better for the grazier, who could stock up with better kinds, ana better for the country I” Meanwhile, how<

ever, the law is inexorable, and all freezing works have instructions not to kill cattle of the age above named (says the Balclutha Free Press). With sheep there is no restriction. At a recent meeting of the Board of Agriculture, held in Wellington, the date of the collection of sheep returns was discussed with the Government statistician (Mr Fraser). It was pointed out that the most accurate means of ascertaining the number of sheep in the dominion was to take the number actually shorn and the number of lambs tailed, and it was agreed to alter the headings of the collectors’ forms in order to obtain this information. An Auckland resident states that tho farmers and others in tho province have gone in for potato-growing very extensively this year. Around Pukckohe alone no less than 2000 acres have been planted in potatoes, and it is anticipated that 1000 acres of this area will bo replanted this season, two crops being frequently grown the same season In that locality. Unfortunately, owing largely to the blight, the first crop is likely to prove rather a failure, but better things are hoped for with the next crop. There is every probability of potatoes being dear this year. The district surrounding Riversdalc is looking at its best at present (says the Mataura Ensign), and feed has not been so plentiful at this time of tho year as at present for some years. Tho season has been a particularly good one, and there has been an almost entire absence of the high winds that are usually experienced in the spring. Tho crops have made a good Bta*t, the rain of last week doing an immense amount of good. Lambing percentages appear to be high, and tho ewes and Jamba look well. One farmer has secured 700 lambs from 600 owes. At the annual meeting of the Tapanui Farmers’ Club held on tho 16th inst. tho following office-bearers were elected ;—President, Mr N. M'Ritchie; vice-president, Mr George Stuart; committee—-Messrs J. D. Rodger, A. MTntyre, H. Howat, Jas. Edgar, J. D. Edgar (all rc-elected), and. F.

Fischner; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. R. Quin (re-elected); auditor, Mr D. M‘Du(i (re-elected). The following cups and specials were promised by members present:—Mrs Alex. M‘lntyre, 2ge for best lady rider; Mr Geo. Stuart (Brookside), sgs for most points in live stock (bar hogs); Mr N. _ M‘Ritchie (president), 3gs for most points in draught horses; Mr W. Cullen, Ig; Messrs W. Haugh, M. M'Auley, and J. D. Rodgers, 3gs for most points in dairy produce; Messrs H. Howat and J. D. Edgar, sgs for prize to be allotted by the club. From October 16 the freights on wool from Now Zealand to the United Kingdom will be as follows; —Greasy wool. Id per lb; slipe wool, Igd per lb ; washed and scoured, lid per lb; all plus 25 per cent, war charge. The Australian rates are Igd for greasy and l|d for scoured, plus 20 per cent, war surcharge in each case. New Zealand and Australian rates arc subject to the usual 5 per cent, primage. Agricultural statistics arc to be taken in Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, and Canterbury on November 10, and in Otago on November 13. The statistics arc to cover the extent of land in wheat, barley, oats, maize, peas, sown grasses, turnips, and rape, mangolds. and potatoes. The average for the 700.000 cows in the Dominion was 1301 b of butter-fat. The world’s records for n. single- cow of each breed were 11461 b, 11161 b. 10731 b. 10561 b, 10521 b. 9951 b. 5951 b, and 5151 b, The best New Zealand averages were: For 130 cows, 3271 b; 100 cows. 3151 b; 117 cows, 2951 b. At the Edendale Dairy Factory the daily intake of milk is already in the vicinity of 3800 gallons. The president of the Board of Agriculture (England) appointed recently a committee to go into the matter of wheat-growing. The committee, subject to certain conditions, recommended that farmers be offered 45s a quarter guarantee on wheat, to commence from after the next harvest, to run from 1916 to the harvest of 1920. The Government, however, in view of all the circum-

stances, had decided that they would not incur the additional financial responsibility involved in the guarantee suggested by the committee. A settler informs the Feilding Star that the early potatoes are badly affected with blight this season, which will have a serious effect on supplies. Shearing has commenced in the Flaxbourne district, and (says the Marlborough Express) difficulty is being experienced in procuring shearers. General rains have completely changed the prospects for the wheat crops, which are now most favourable.—Cable from Buenos Aires. Hams for Christmas in Now South Wales will cost an extra penny a pound. This increase was applied for by the ham and bacon curers, and was granted on October 11 by the Necessary Commodities Commission. The increase takes place immediately, and the price will be Is 3£d from now on. An organisation in England, called the Rural League, has inaugurated a scheme for reviving and developing small industries and homo crafts in the villages. The main idea is to replace the great variety of small articles which have been imported from Germany, Austria, and Hungary, to the value of £10,000,000 per annum, and at the same time to employ the spare time of the rural population and increase their earnings. The comparatively low wages of farm labourers is attributed mainly to the large amount of. broken time through bad weather, and to the short day in the winter, and there are many small industries which can bo followed on wet days and at night. The first delivery of Australia’s now season’s wheat at Port Pirie, South Australia, was made on October 1 to Messrs Dalgety and Co. The wheat was grown at Telowie, and is described as a fair sample of early grain. Now wheat is also coming into Cowell, and it probably will not be long before a parcel will bo forwarded from Eyre Peninsula to Port Adelaide. The new wheat is from the early-sown crops, and it is not

expected that there will be any large quantity for some weeks.