STOCK-RAISING INDUSTRY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 94, 7 May 1937, Page 36 (Supplement)

STOCK-RAISING INDUSTRY

Its Importance to Business of Hastings STORTFORD LODGE RETURNS Stock-raising has always played an important part dn the prosperity of Hastings and district. Not only are many big sheep and cattle stations situated in a wide area of which Hastings is the natural centre, but the produetive capacity of these lands da well above the average, and with grazing and fattening carried on close to the town it was quite in the natural order of things that Hastings should soon become a leading stock-market centre. Each year for many years showed a inarked increase in tho number of stock put through the weekly saies at the Stortford Lodge saleyards until this sale has reached the position of leading stock sale in the North Island. For the six years. ended December 31, 1936, the following stock were marketed at the Stortford Lodge saleyards by the Assoeiated Stock Auctioneers: — 1931. — Sheep and -lamDs, 329,925; grown cattle, 9298; 1 to 2-year cattle, 3598; calves, 730; horses, 162. 1932. — Sheep and lambs, 317,578; grown cattle, 19.553; 1 to 2-year cattle, 8481; calves, 834; horses, 292. 1933. — Sheep and lambs, 408,^41; grown cattle, 17,851; 1 to 2-year cattle, 9812; calves, 1052; horses, 372. 3934. — Sheep and lambs, 480, 3U4; grown cattle, 21,626; 1 to 2-year cattle, 9962; calves, 1920; horses, 417. 1935. — Sheep and lambs, 397,513; grown cattle, 23,124; 1 to 2-year cattle, 10,528; calves, 3015; horses, 429. 3936. — Sheep and lambs, 384,507; grown cattle. 23,150; 1 to 2-year cattle, 8681; calves, 1085; horses. 480. The year 1928 was a peak year for all of nawke's Bay's farming products. In that vear the value of the wool r shipped direct, from this provinee was £2,359,512; the total value of the dairy exports was £321,624; and the tptal of sheep and lambs sold at Stortf«fi Lodge was nearlv half a million.