STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 9

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Waekly Stock Sales. Monthly (continued). Burnside, Wednesdays Woodlands, 2nd ThursAshburto'n, Tuesdays day Addington, Wednesdays Wyndham, last ThursWaiareka Railway Juno- day tion, Tuesdays Balfour, 3rd Thursday Wallacetown, Tuesdays Thornbury, Ist Friday Ountroon & Otautau, Fortnightly. 2nd Friday rllntnn Thursdava Riversdale, 3rd Friday Frfduvs Waikaka. last Friday ior C e, U Tuesd F ays Uy ' Olrdevale. last ThursOamaru, Tuesdays anr Wallacetown, Tuesdays Periodically 33 AdverHeriot, Thursdays tised, si„n.hi„ Lumsden, Mo3s ; iurn, Monthly. Orepuki, Mataura, Palmerston, Ist Monday Waikouaitl, RiverW'inton, Ist Thursday ton, Ngapara. and Duntrocu, and Fri>lay Otago Central sales. OTAGO. A -week of sunshine, winding up with rain showers, has furthered the ripening of grass and cereal crops considerably in Otao-o. Both ryegrass and cocksfoot in quantity has been reaped in fine _ order, although northwards difficulty is being experienced in saving good seed on account of rains, etc., at a criticaPstage of growth. Good yields of grain are confidently anticipated in Central Otago. . ■ A stupid idea seems to have got about in some quarters that Argentine farmers are receiving far and away more money for their cattle than our Dominion fattoners. Our information does not bear this out in any way. In any case, surely no one wishes to see to-day's prices for beef per lb increased to the Imperial Government. BURNSIDE MARKET. The quality of the yarding of fat sheep at Burnside was good; but the demand at no time was eager. Values opened at last sale's rates, and eased up about Is 6d a head ere this section was finished. The fat lambs were a mixed lot, some pens being just medium stores. The trade quickly satisfied their requirements, and salesmen had the greatest difficulty in staving off a drop of several shillings a head. Values in any case were down 2s a head. Exporters not yet getting busy, values, of course, fluctuate considerably if but a few more lambs are yarded than required. The fat cattle section was well supplied with prime beef, yet including a number of heavy cows. The demand for steer beef was on the basis of last sale's values —viz., vip to 47s per 1001 b. As the sale progressed prices eased up a bit, and prime cows were secured at export values. The 120 store cattle penned comprised mostly cows and heifers, with some young sorts. A good sale resulted: Forward empty heifers £lO 10s, cows £l3, six-months vealers £5 to £6 6s. Dairy cows were sought after, but few came forward and guaranteed sorts were readily taken at up to £l6 10s. Pigs realised rates equivalent to the previous week. . ADDINGTON YARDS. The fat sheep market at Addington was but meagrely supplied, but the quality was satisfactory. ' A 'clearance was effected speedily at an advanco of Is a" head on last sale's rates. Under 1000_ fat lambs were penned which were readily sold at late rates. The quality was generally pleasing to buyers. A very large entry of store sheep evoked moderate inquiry at the opening of the sale; but the market soon joined, and all forward grades were about on a level with the previous week's quotations. Chiefly lambs were yarded. A small entry of an average class of steers and heifers made higher rates than at last sale, and values were lust beyond export buyers' limits, best beef touching in places 50s per 1001 b. A fairly good lot of store cattlo were penned, but passings were frequent, despite a demand evinced by not a few graziers. Dairy cows of quality were scarce; but sales were readily made at up to £2O for best cows, others from £lO to £l4. The pig sections were always interesting, and buyers at last sale's good range of values were by no means lacking. Baconers wero in particular demand, while weaners wore dearer. NORTH ISLAND STOCK VALUES. iSomo North Island values of stock received indicate little change since our last report. In the South Auckland district beef is selling well at from 48s to 52a per 1001 b, store cows _ are worth £7 10s to £8 10s, fresh-conditioned sorts to £lO 10s. In Poverty Bay fats sell freely, but stores are passed at auction in large numbers. Wethers remain dull at up to 30s; a line of in-calf Polled Angus cows (young) to

Hereford bulls made £l2 Is. In the Wairarapa: Young steers £3 5s to £5 ss, good yearling steers £7 10s, two-year-olds £lO 10s, forward cows £8 10s to £9 10s. In the Wanganui-Feilding area rather better prices appear to rule than before the holidays, . although transactions are limited. Taranaki reports prompt clearances at the various auction sales for all conditioned animals at rates on a level with the previous sale. _ In Hawke's Bay matters are quiet; yearling steers make £5 15s to £B, two-year-old £ll, three-year-old to £l3 10s, wethers to 29s 6d. STOCK NOTES. The results of the Canterbury A. and P. Association's merino and halfbred competitions for 1917 are as' follow:—Merino competition: Hugh. Ensor 1. Halfbred competition : Murchison Bros. 1. At the Lanark (Scotland) Clydesdale sales 80 geldings averaged £ll4 2s. A black four-year-old gelding, Allie, by Dunedin, broken to all kinds of farm work, realised 200 gs. Another, by Prince Ossian, made ITCtes. Fifty-three mares averaged £99, tho best figure being £220 for a seven-year-old bv Baron's Pride. An average of £SB was obtained for 102 filly foals, and 147 colt foals averaged £42. A son of Dunure Footprint made top price, £3CO; and a filly foal by the same sire out of a mare by the £IOOO colt, Montrave Mac, went at £420. The Clydesdale market should firm up a bit if, as alleged, two buyers from Australia are at present in Otago on the lookout for decent sorts of colts and fillies. The youngsters, it is understood, are destined to try their luck at auction after the annual parade in Melbourne should the buyers satisfactorily fulfil their mission. There is nothing, much doing in stock circles in this province at the moment. Feed in plenty is serving to keep prices of fats rather above export values; but owners are bound to face the music sooner or later. This uncertainty probably will continue ~until work at the freezing works becomes general. It is, after all, the export buyers who set the pace; and although it seems that the old distributing: methods will bo persisted in for a while at least at Homo, freights have risen 100 per cent., and last season's limits will hardly be possible anyway. WOOL VALUATIONS—DUNEDIN. The sixth series of wool appraisements in Dunedin under the Government scheme was completed during the week. A very fair selection of station and farm wools was on view; but perhaps more condition is apparent, and seed, too, is not lacking in a few lots. Some of the prices obtained, with the brands of lots, more or less known in their respective districts, may be cited. Commencing with some' of the clips with somo merino wool: —C over WT (Clutha), merino 22A_d, Romney hogget 17A.d to 180, ewe 17£d to 18id; DR (Palmerston), merino 22d, halfbred 18id to 20A.d, crossbred to 19d; Hawkdun (Central), merino 17d to 19£d, halfbred 18d; JM over Gorge Creek (Central), merino 18d to 19id, halfbred l&id to 172 d; ER over Elton Bay, merino 18d to 19d, crossbred 18d to 18£d; 11, 'merino 19d, crossbred l6A.d; Homehills (Central), merino 18Jd, halfbred 17|d to *l9d; F reversed (Central), merino 18d, halfbred 19d; Klifden in square, merino 17id, halfbred 17|d; 51 (Central), merino 18d, halfbred 17d to 17£d, crossbred 16^d; Ormaglade over crown (Central) merino 17d, halfbred hogget and ewe 17d to l8id; Coronet Peak (Bakes), merino 152 d, halfbred 16d to 17d; L reversed 5 (Central), halfbred 18Ad, crossbred 16d. Coming to quality of wool grown on sheep grazing on lands at a lower altitude than the merino: HH conjoined (Tapanui), halfbred 21s, hogget 19A_d; I and F reversed (Clutha), halfbred 20d to 21d; N over Abbotsford (Taieri), halfbred 20d to 21d, crossbred 17d to 18Ad ; Kiatoa (Waikouaiti), halfbred 19id to 20A/1, hogget 17d to 19d, crossbred 17A_d to 18d; RC under triangle (Central), halfbred hogget and ewe 19£d to crossbred 16|d to 19£d; JB over bar (Clutha). halfbred 20id, crossbred 17d to 19AcT; Rewhiti (Central), halfbred 18Ad to 20d; G S B over B. in circles (Central), halfbred 20d, crossbred 18d to 19d • Wendon (Clutha), halfbred 17|d to 20d. crossbred 17£d to 173 d; Halwyn over 3H (Central), halfbred. 18d to 19£d; Hvde Home over NZ (Wnikaia), halfbred 17Ad to 19£d, crossbred 16id; Koliti (Central), halfbred 18d to 19j,c1; S over bar (Clutha),. halfbred 19d. crossbred 15|d to loAd; Cross under bar (Central), halfbred to 19d; Miller's Flat (Lawrence), halfbred 19d, crossbred to 15|d; AP conjoined (Central), halfbred 19d, crossbred 162 d : Decpdell (Central), halfbred 17-id to 19d; LL (Central), halfbred 17£d to 19d; 7M over bar (Clutha), halfbred to 18|d, crossbred 16d: Mount Allan (Central) halfbred to 18§d, crossbred 17id; TF reversed (Central), halfbred 18Ad; Kawaru (Central), ' 18d to 18£d, hogget to 17£d; Horiago (Central), halfbred 17]d to 18£d; Olvo (Central), halfbred 184/1; Barewood (Central), halfbred 18Ad, crossbred to 18d; JE over Riverside halfbred to 184 d, crossbred 16Ad to 17Ad; Flodden Field (Central;, halfbred to 18A"d ; JD (Central), halfbred 18£d. crossbred 153 d J Eyebrow over triangle (Clutha), halfbred 16Ad to 18Ad. crossbred 16d; Cairnmuir (Central), halfbred 17Ad to 18|d. hogget 16Ad to 17Ad; HH conjoined (Tapanui), crossbred 13d to 18Ad; 88 over Slip Hill (Central), halfbred 18id, crossbred 16d to 16£d; F reversed C (Palmerston). halfbred l&|dj HAT (Central), halfbred 18d to

18id; Horsehoof (Central), halfbred 18d; CD (Central), halfbred 18d; Talerisido (Central), halfbred 18d, crossbred 153 d to l?i-d; PU (Tapanui), crossbred I6£d to 18d; spectacles in triangle (Central), halfbred Ohartlea Park (Gore), crossbred 15£d to 18d; JR. conjoined jLawrence), halfbred 16d to 18d; three dots (Waikaia), 17d to 18d; FLA (Tapanui), halfbred 17|d; WM (Clutha), crossbred 173 d; Crested Hills (Gore), crossbred 173 d; B and B conjoined, the first reversed (Central), halfbred 17d to 173 d, hogget 16±d; EW (Kokoanga), halfbred to 17|d crossbred 16id; JE conjoined (Central), halfbred to 173 d, crossbred I6|d; Ardlin (Central), crossbred l&|d to 173: JN over KH (Taieri) ; crossbred 16d to 17|d; Hartford (Waipahi), crossbred 16id to 17£d; JH (Central), halfbred 17£d, crossbred 16d; VO (Central), halfbred 17=j,d, crossbred 16d; Bendoran (Waikouaiti), crossbred 17£d; WW over W (Central), halfbred 17£d, crossbred 15fd,- Springfield (Tapanui), crossbred 163 d to 17±d; Brookside over H (Tapanui), crossbred 16£d to 17£d; Galloway (Central), halfbred 17id, crossbred 16£d; bar over P over half-circle (Tapanui) hogget 17id, crossbred 163 d; CB conjoined (Kelso), crossbred 17d to 17£d; Glynwye (Central), crossbred 16£d to 174dj Y (Central), halfbred 17£d, crossbred 17d; Olrig (Central), halfbred to 17£d, crossbred to 16d; Y in circle (Clutha), halfbred 17£d, crossbred 16d to 16|d; Mt Hope (Lawrence), halfbred to 17id, crossbred 15£d; DB under eyebrow (Clutha), crossbred 17d to 17£d; SK (Tapanui), crossbred 17d to 17Ad; iStoker (Central), halfbred 17£d, crossbred 17£d ; wineglass over Glenroy (Lakes), halfbred 16d to 17£d, crossbred 15id to 16£d; PW Scotch thistle (Merton), halfbred 17id, crossbred 16d; DF conjoined (Central) crossbred 16d to 17d; RF (Kelso), crossbred 17d to 17±d; JB over bar (Central) halfbred 17£d; MF (Tapanui), halfbred V7i&i crossbred 163 d to 17d; Macfarlano Downs (Clutha), crossbred 16d to 17id; D ™, oir ° le (Central), halfbred 17id, crossbred 17d; Brookside over HA (Tapanui), crossbred 16£dto md; MS (Tapanui), crossbred 15fd to 17d; MM conjoined (Clutha), crossbred 16£d to 17id: JK (Central), halfbred 17d crossbred 16id; TG (Waikaia), crossbred 17d;- OF (Lakes), halfbred 17d; SH (Clutha), crossbred 17d; EC\ Trevenna (Clutha), crossbred 16d to 17d ; ZL (Clutha), crossbred 17d; NY (Tapanui), crossbred nogget 17d; CA (Clutha). crossbred 17d; 7V Clutha), crossbred 17d: VI (Clutha), crossbred 16d to 17d; MF (Tapanui), half' bred 16d to 17d; 2M (Clutha), crossbred 1/d; Riverville (Central), halfbred 17d; TS (Waikaia), crossbred 17d; W . over bar (Tapanui), crossbred 16|d; HJ over bar (Hindon), crossbred lS£d to 16|d; L under eyebrow over Clova (Palmerston), crossbred 163 d; Y (Clutha), crossbred 163 d; RP conjoined (Clutha), crossbred 163 d; AE conjoined (Clutha), crossbred 164 d to 163 d; DW under bar, crossbred 163 d; RR under bar, crossbred 163 d; CB (Central), halfbred 16*d; 53 over Mt Cromel (Clutha), halfbred 16d to 16£d; Ben Koi (Tapanu'), crossbred 16£d; WM (Central), crossbred 16£d KI under eyebrow (Clutha), crossbred 16£d; HO conioined. crossbred 16id to 16id; J in 0 (Central), halfbred 16£d; AH (Central), crossbred 16-id; Lorotto (Central), crossbred hogget 16d. Best necks round about 15d. pieces to 14£d, bellies to 12d, locks to B£d. THE SEASON AND PROSPECTS IN AUSTRALIA. Normal summer weather prevails over the whole of the Commonwealth (saye the Pastoral Review). Heavy rains are reported in the far north, and elsewhere useful thunderstorms that will tend to keep pastures fresh. Feed is plentiful practically everywhere. A hot spell during the second half of December dried grass up considerably, and as a result fires have been rather prevalent. Fortunately in most cases it has been possible to prevent the outbreaks from getting out of hand, so the damage, beyond grass and fencing burnt, has not been very serious. The worst fire recorded occurred during the last week in the West Darling district of New South Wales, where some hundreds of miles of grass country were burnt out. There have also been some bad outbreaks in Rivcrina, accompanied by loss of stock. The year opens with favourable prospects, so far as climatic conditions are concerned, of a good growth for the next season's wool clip, reports from all the States depicting conditions generally as encouraging. The end of the year witnessed the close of the fh-st series of appraisement of the 1917-18 clio, somer 643,000 bales having been handled since the Ist July last. Sufficient has been seen of the clip—which, by the way, is variously estimated at up to 2,000,060 bales—to mark it on the whole, so far as southern selling centres are concerned, as a good one, although here and there a tender parcel is met with, occasioned by some purely local causes. Seasonable harvest weather has obtained since last writing, says the Review. The second half of December _ was marked by a heat wave over practically the whole of the wheat belt, and was followed by the iisual thunderstor ns. Probably ncjther caused as much damage to ripening crops as it was feared they might at the time. The hot spell had the effect of bringing on backward crops, although no doubt a proportion of the pinched and shrivelled grain that is now being delivered is attributable to it. Likewise, the storms bleached the grain in some cases, while, on the other hand, they gave at least from the ever-present fear

of bush and grass fires. So far. fires have not been very bad in the agricultural districts. It is true that some fine crops have been destroyed, but fortunately the area _of any particular outbreak has been restricted. Recently, the weather has been warm_ to hot, with an absence of destructive high winds. Tho actual harvest is very late this year. At the time of writing relatively few farmers have finished stripping; in deed, many are only just starting, whereas in normal years the bulk of the crop would be in before this. In view of the oornsack position, it is perhaps well that the season is so late. Prior to Christmas the necessary bags were a very scarce commodity in all States, and although shipments have since arrived farmers are still experiencing difficulty in getting their supply. Reports received from the principal wheat-growing centres indicate that the crop oyer West and Central New South Wales is turning out well, and generally rather better than anticipated a couple of months ago. From fair to excellent yields are being obtained in the north and southern divisions, although rust and storms have caused a great deal of damage in places. Ae regards Victoria the best crops are undoubtedly in the Wimmera, where splendid returns are being obtained. The Mallee is also yielding well, except that many paddocks are unduly dirty. As expected, the excessive rains last winter and spring have reduced the averages in the north, north-east, and. western districts. South Australian returns promise well on the whole. Crops on tho lighter soils, especially in the central and north, are yielding splendidly where not choked with woods. On heavy land and country that has been flooded they are doing only moderately well. Very fair crops are being obtained in the wheat belt proper of Western Australia, but in tho wetter districts they are described as indifferent for tho most part. The wheat crop on the Darling Downs, Queensland, is turning out fairly well. Rust is not so prevalent as it was expected to be.