CATTLE SHORTAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19997, 24 July 1939, Page 4

CATTLE SHORTAGE

BIG DEMAND IN SPRING AFTERMATH OF DROUGHT STATION LINES SOUGHT INQUIRY FROM OUTSIDE A shortage of store cattle is expected in the Gisborne 'district during the coming spring, and a big demand from outside areas, as well as from local station owners, should develop during the next few months. The present position is one of the aftermaths of the severe drought, which caused an acute shortage of feed during the past autumn. Large numbers of cattle were sacrificed at very low prices, some of the younger and poorer lots selling down to as low as 2s Gd, with some cows at 4s apiece. The market at the time was at the mercy of an indifferent demand from outside districts, where the feed position, while not so acute as in Poverty Bay and East Coast areas, was causing some anxiety.

Since then, however, the mild weather which .prevailed until the first week in July has caused a firming in the store cattle market, and graziers are now looking about for spring drafts to build up their herds, which were so depleted dining the prst autumn. Few cattle arc available, however, and although small lumbers have changed hands recently, the general inclination of those farmers with a spring surplus appears 1c be to hold until later on. Strong Local Demand With a strong local demand, as well as inquiries from the Waikato raid Hawke's Bay. values are expected to go even higher during the next month or so. Three-year-old steers at present are worth from £7 5s to £7 10s and two-year-olds from £5 5.s 'to £5 10s. A few odd lines have been sold for immediate delivery on the basis of those quotations, .but apparently forward business has not been commenced yet.

In the Waikato, values have been firming steadily over the past month or so. but very few station-bred cattle have been available. The first of such cattle at the Frankton yards for some time were sold on Tuesday, when 18-moni'hs Polled Angus steers in good condition reached £4 17s Gd and 21-year, r.w.b., to £4 lGs. Waikato graziers believe that the spring demand will bo difficult to fill.