SALE OF CALF SKINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4877, 14 September 1925, Page 4

SALE OF CALF SKINS.

THE TRADE BRISK, EFFECT ON PRICES. When yearling calves were selling for next to nothing, 7s and 8s a head, the farmers saw the futility of keeping and feeding their calves, or, comparing the prices with those of calfskins. they saw that it was. better to kill their newly-born calves for the value of the skins. At that time it was predicted that this practice gbing on throughout the country might induce a (shortage of beef animals, the values of which would soon rise abc.vc ordinary levels.

Early this season farmers again began the wholesale slaughter of their calves, but now that the beef prices are soaring above the old rates a number of farmers are thinking of keeping anything that might be sold under this head.

Some farmers aliso make a practice of keeping their early season’s skins until later on in the year, when the prices usually improve a little, but whether this' will be an advisable course this year was questioned by a Morrinsville man (states the “Star”) who is closely connected with the trade. His opinion was. based on recent American nad Cnotinental cable advices, which indicated a, weakening in both hides and calf skins. The latter had declined rather suddenly, and were expected to become still lower. The position was aggravated by the fact that the tanners do not now require any great quantity of these skins.

If the overseas conditions are to be taken as a guide it would appear, at the present time, that the farmers should either dispose of their skins immediately, before a. drop in prices .occurs, or save their calves for beef purposes.