MARKETS FOR SHEEP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17953, 3 December 1932, Page 14

MARKETS FOR SHEEP

GISBORNE DELIVERIES SOUTH ISLAND POSSIBILITIES Tho buying of Gisborne sheep for delivery to other districts commenced a few woy.ks ago and, has continued with occasional sales since then. In the aggregate, the number of sheep that have changed hands is not great, but there will be a wide distribution to various parts oi tho North Island, with a few going to the south. There are possibilities of greater development oi the live stock trade with the South Island but for the cost of transport. Varying quotations are given for deals that have been made. One firm announces sales of two-tooth ewes at 10s and 11s, and up to 12s for good fines, while small star lots have been sold at even more money during tlm past few weeks. Gull ewes were quoted at 6s and 7s, with two-tooth wethers at 6s and 7s, and 8s to 9s for four-tooth wethers. Another firm reports two* tooth ewes at 10s and 3ls, and star lois at a higher level, with two-tooth wethers at 7s 6d and four-tooth wethers at Bs. Already, some of the wethers arc on the road, including lines sold about two months ago at from 7s to os; owes at that time went up to 15s for one substantial order. However, most of the shee'p will not be dispatched by road until after the bulk of the holiday traffic has ceased. CANTERBURY MARKET

Most of the sheep recently have been 'bought for Hawke’s Bay, but some lots have been secured for the Wairarapa, Wanganui and Putararu (Waikato). One small lino will be sent to Canterbury.

At present fat stock buying in the district is being done on the hooks, but the possibility of buying on the hoof is being discussed, and it is believed that on this basis a fat ewe would be worth from 4s to os, although the buying schedule would hardly .produce this figure. It is pointed out that by purchasing on the hoof, a buyer has the advantage of picking his own requirements, and can therefore afford to pay a little in advance of the ruling buying rates on the hooks. Stock agents believe that the South Island market offers, great possibilities for the Gisborne grazier but for the high cost of getting his sheep to that quarter. The freight on sheep has been reduced recently from 4s to 3s 9d, plus the harbor improvement rate, but even with this reduction it is considered that it would not pay to send sheep from Gisborne to the south. It is reported that one line of two-tooth ewes was sold to a Canterbury buyer at 13s, but it is pointed out that the cost of loading, shipping and handling at the other end costs about 5s 6d per head.

AN EXAGGERATION Last year, some of the ewes sent to Canterbury were bought in Gisborne at 3s and 4s a head, and the freight cost as much as the purchase price at Gisborne. Stock agents maintain that, if the freight was brought down to what they regard as u reasonable level, a large trade would spring up between Gisborne and the South Island. Freight at 4s a head was not considered exorbitant a few years ago when sheep were worth 30s or more, but at present day values it would require a reduction of about 2s 6d a head to make the trade worth while, it is declared. A report emanating from Napier has gained currency that one firm has been particularly busy in stock buying in Gisborne and Wairoa districts, and that it has completed sales for 400,000 sheep in tlieso two districts. It would appear that a few unnecessary noughts havo been added to the figure supplied, and that 4000 would be nearer the mark. Tho figure of 400.000 is regarded ns ridiculous and would represent practically the whole of tho surplus store sheep in tho district. The best season Gisborno has had with Canterbury trade was four years ago, when about 100,000 store sheep were shipped south, with comparatively few ‘to other quarters Two years ago, the Waikato absorbed up to 70.000 or 80.000 store sheep from the Gisborne district, but sales elsewhere were not large. That one firm should have handled 400,000 sheep for tho season to date is regarded in Ci.s* borno as being an exaggeration.