STOCK MARKET REVIEW

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 18

STOCK MARKET REVIEW

PROSPECTS FOR FAT CATTLE STORE SHEEP SALES NEAR END OF SEASON There being no sale at Lorneville this week the fat stock market in Southland has hot been tested this week and northern sales have given no indication of any definite movement, Addington prices being easier and Burnside values firmer in cattle. Fat sheep were dearer at both sales. On recent Lorneville sales an easing tendency is to be expected in cattle as graziers quit their holding in preparation for winter stocking. The clearance of cattle may not be so heavy as usual, however, as there is at present plenty of feed and the need to reduce stock is not urgent on most Pl The experimental shipment of chilled beef made from Southland last month may have caused some fears that the export of 800 quarters of chilled beef might have some effect on supplies for the local market during the winter months, particularly as butchers have been alarmed during recent winter seasons at the shortage of fat cattle, lhe shipment was, however, scarcely big enough to have any serious effect on the supply for local requirements, but the establishment of a trade m chilled beef from Southland is almost certain to encourage greater interest in the rearing of beef cattle, providing bigger supplies for local consumption and a generally better class of beef cattle. At present much of the cattle offered at district sales is of inferior quality with only a sprinkling of the beef breeds included in the stock offered. FAT SHEEP FIRMER The fat sheep market is fairly firm, with a rising tendency in the northern centres and firmer prices will probably be experienced as the winter apP Reduced numbers of store sheep have been penned at district stock sales during the present week, but there is still a fair movement in sheep, particularly from the Mossburn, Lumsden, Waikaia and Waikaka districts to the low country. The bulk of the annual station drafts have now been sold and the majority of farmers have acquired their requirements for the winter. Tne total number of sheep sold during February, March and April to date has been very heavy and is believed to show an increase on the previous season when buyers were more cautious because of the definite indications in the autumn of a feed shortage during the winter. On river-flat land there has been heavier stocking this autumn, the reserves of feed being very satisfactory at present. During several weeks the total sales of store sheep at auction have approached 100,000 head and the total sales for the season will probably exceed 500,000. As activity by dealers has been restricted this season it will be appreciated that the volume of sales has been above the average. Prices appear now to be on a downward scale, indicating that the demand is fairly well satisfied. Good lines of full and failing-mouth ewes are still commanding good prices, but other lines are weaker.