COLD CONDITIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22457, 19 September 1944, Page 4

COLD CONDITIONS

WAIKATO STOCK MARKET BULL SALES THIS MONTH The cold, wet conditions last week provided a cheek to pasture, growth throughout the Waikato, the sudden change being particularly severe on young stock. Lambs are reported to be doing well throughout the district, however, and losses have not been abnormal. Dairy production has been keeping up well and statistics recently released hv the Auckland Herd Improvement Association indicated the decided improvement in production last month compared with the corresponding month last year. The high prices realised at the 22nd annual national bull sale at Claudelands, when 155 Jerseys made the high average of 78 guineas, provide a happy augury lor the various bull sales which are to be held, throughout the Waikato this month. There is every indication that this season’s prices will be on a higher plane than last year. Although not as many horses were sold as last year, the annual Cambridge horse fair, the largest or its kind in the Dominion, was reported by the Farmers’ Cooperative Auctioneering Company to have been a highly successful fixture, with prices similar to those obtained in 1942. Horse sales held throughout the district this year were on the whole, more successful than last year, although good quality draughts are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. One of the features or the Cambridge fair was the Tact that unbroken* met with a comparatively better sale than brokens. Firm Beef Market The beef market has remained buoyant throughout the district and only minor fluctuations have occurred. There was a slight forward movement at Frankton, particularly In the case of light bullocks, but this was mainly due to the lightness of the entry. Store cattle have continued in keen request and one or the features of the week’s trading was the keen demand at the cattle fair at Te Awamutu conducted by Messrs Newton King and Messrs Wright. Stephenson and Company, forward 4-year-old Hereford bullocks from Messrs Grin ter Bros, realising to £l3 2s. Light steers sold at the central yards this week bv the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, sold very readily at prices just over £lO. Although the demand has been weaker for wethers, there has been little change for other classes of fat sheep. More shorn entries have been making their appearance and since the closing of the lamb season there has been a marked lessening or activity in the rat sheep sections .at the smaller country centres. A small entry or light spring lambs, the first of the season was sold this week at Frankton at 27/6. Any store sheep on offer have been selling Ilrml.v. Although improved supplies have been forwarded, fat pig values have remained unchanged with baenners soiling to £5 13s.