FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 95, 19 May 1909, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY.

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. A REVIEW OK THE FARMER'S MARKETS. A glance over the markets for our staple products (remarks the Christ-, church Press) shows that* generally speaking, prices are good and the ou{look is satisfactory. When the slump in wool set in, about eighteen months ago, it appeared a»' if it would take several years before any pronounced recovery could be made, but the sales held in London during the current year have seen a continuous and rapid rise in prices, largely owing to a revival of the American demand. With sheep stocks decreasing in some countries or remaining stationary in others, with no large areas of pastoral country awaiting development for sheep-raising, and with an ever-increasing population of wool-users' and mutton-consumers, the sheep industry appears to .be on a sound footing. The frozen meat market is suffering at present from over-supply, but we have Keen the same thing happen in years gone'by. The increased competition from the Argentine may, however, more than make up for any permanent increased consumption brought about by low prices, and there is also the lessened spending power of the people in the United Kingdom to consider. We are afraid that, until trade improves in England, the market for our frozen meat will continue depressed so far as New Zealand is concerned.

The fat lamb trade is the most important and profitable, and. even now. with heavy supplies on hand or going forward for the Home market, our farmers arc readily getting 12s to 14s for their lainlx. At the same time the sharp rise in wool will materially assist to make up, to the large export companies, the shortage in profit on meat. The men who are likely to suffer most are those who took up land on high woo] and sheep values. But their outlook has considerably improved through the rise ill prices and renewed confidence in the wool market, and it will be K till better when money becomes easier and interest charges can be reduced.

The wlheat-grower has now before him encouragement to increase the area gown m this staple cereal. The world's wheat supply has apparently, for the time 'being, got very close down to consilium" requirements, and prices have reached a highly profitable level. A few years ago all over 2s (id was looked upon as profit if a good crop was secured; but the higher price of laud, higher wa»cs etc., will necessitate a somewhat larger allowance being made now. ]f, however a return of anything like 4s per bushel can ;be obtained, as at present, wheatgrowing W iu ue profitable again. Oats are not selling at prices on a par with those for wheat, and exporters both of wheat and oats are suffering from the want of shipping space. New Zealand dairy-farmers have had a successful season both for butter and cheese, and they might do better if they set about improving their dairy herds by breeding, testing, an ,i culling. The outlook for New Zealand farmers is', therefore, full of promise, . */