DAIRY CATTLE INQUIRY

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1935, Page 11

DAIRY CATTLE INQUIRY

READY SALES IN TARANAKI. FAT STOCK PRICES ADVANCE. The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society of New Zealand Limited, in its weekly review, states that a steady week of trading has ensued, mainly at yard sales, where large entries of dairy cattle have met ready sales. Following on reports of heavy rainfall and floodings in Auckland and North Auckland districts, together with general rain throughout the Waikato, a steady downpour set ’in in Taranaki towards the middle of the week, accompanied by cold winds from the south, making conditions very unpleasant. The new season, as far as South Taranaki is concerned, has started in earnest, and although pastures are short, the plentiful supply of ensilage and hay is standing in good stead. Values for dairy produce, which over the past few weeks have remained at a steady level, awoke to activity once again, butter gaining 2s to 3s and cheese Is to Is 6d oh last week’s report, both markets being active. Wool values continue to remain firm with the outlook distinctly bright. Lamb values continue to show a firming tendency on the Smithfield market, with indications of further. improvement yet. All classes of fat stock continue to show an advance bn those ruling in the last report. Values of fat ewes remain firm, sales including 120 extra prime sheep at 18s, a further 120 extra prime sheep at 18s, and odd trucks at from 17s to 18s. Wethers remain firm with a spasmodic inquiry existing at from 22s to 23s 6d. All classes of fat cattle remain very firm with the outlook distinctly bright. Sales of prime fat heifers have beep effected to £7, best prime fat cows tb £6 10s. Quotations of all classes of store stock remain difficult to procure, and as a consequence business in this section has been practically confined to oddments

coming into yard sales. Although many are inclined to think quotations of store sheep, especially young sheep, too high, local values are still inclined to be considerably under those ruling in other parts. Quotations of store cattle remain difficult to procure, sales including a line of 2A-year P.A. heifers at £3 ss. Good heifers and young cows close to profit continue to meet a ready sale, with a very firm tone ruling at all centres. Sales by private treaty since the last report include 16 very good twoyear heifers at £5 15s, 12 medium twoyear heifers at £3. 26 2-year heifers at £4 17s 6d, 20 2-year heifers at £4 10s, and odd lines of 2 and 3-year heifers at from £4 10s to £6 10s. Good yearling heifers continue to find favour at from £2 to £2 15s, smaller but good quality 35s to £2, and holdovers 25s to 30s. A keen demand has been shown at all centres for all classes of pigs, porkers'changing hands at from 35s to £2 ss. best stores 25s to 30s, slips 15s to 18s. ?ows to farrow meet a ready sale at from £4 to £6 10s. Tire Urenui sale on Monday drew an average yarding of all classes of cattle, and a total clearance under the hammer was effected with prices at late rates. Dairy cattle did not meet with a ready market, only well forward sorts exciting competition. Realisations were: Good weaner pigs to 19s 6d, yearling heifers to £1 14s 6d, empty heifers to £1 10s, store cows to £1 15s, poorer sorts 25s to 30s, boners 13s to 19s and dairy cows to £4 14s. . At Manaia sale on Tuesday a good yarding of cattle, consisting mainly, of dairy sorts, was submitted for auction. As usual only forward cattle met a ready sale, backward sorts being passed at auction. Dairy cows changed hands at £5, £5 10s, £6 to £6 10s, dairy heifers £4 15s, £5 5s to- £5 10s. A good yarding of dairy cows and heifers came forward to the Hawera sale, but owing to the cold, wet weather a rather hard sale resulted, and realisations at late rates resulted. In the pig section a yarding Of exceptionally good sows On account of Mr. H. Parsons sold well at £4 15s, £6 to £B. A large yarding of dairies was submitted for auction at the Opunake sale, prices being on a par with late rates, and backward sorts not being keenly sought after. Realisations for dairy cows close to profit were: £3, £3 10s, £4, £5, £5 5s to £6. A medium yarding of store cows came forward, selling well at late rates.