TRYING YEAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1938, Page 5

TRYING YEAR

ERRATIC LIVE STOCK MARKETS DROP IN LAMBING RETUP.NS. F.C.D.C. CHAIRMAN’S SURVEY. (By Telegraph.) (Special to the “Times-Age. ) FEILDING, This Day. “During the past twelve months live stock markets have been difficult and irregular,” the chairman of directors of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-op-erative Distributing Company (Mr Thos. Currie) observed in his address to the annual meeting of shareholders today. “In the early part of the year weather conditions ■ were most variable —good rains followed by hot weather and high drying winds leaving pastures in a backward _ state. _ and those farmers who haa purcnased lambs on a forward delivery basis were, in many cases, compelled to resell their purchases at a considerable loss During February and March, however, markets showed a definite imorovemenr. With the advent of the annual ewe fairs at the various centres, buyers from the Waikato and Taranaki districts operated freely and were an important factor in keeping prices at a level higher than results have since justified Following a dry spell heavy rain during April brought a flush of feed and in many districts an outbreak of eczema, and although the disease was not so virulent in the Manawatu district as that experienced some years ago, there was considerable mortality among sheep of all classes. HaWke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and the Main Tronic line districts escaped the epidemic which had its most serious repercussion in the Waikato where the losses in both ffieep and cattie were disastrous. As a result of the outbreak the sheep market became demoralised, values in all classes slumped and from May until August business was at a standstill. With the advent of spring, farmers displayed more interest and confidence, bringing about a welcome improvement in demand and realisations. LOSSES TO INDUSTRY. “The present lambing season has been long drawn out, and some farmers report that even at this late date lambs are still coming. The apprehension expressed as to the effect of the eczema epidemic on breeding ewes at lambing time was unfortunately, in many cases, justified On the whole lambing returns this season show a drop of from 15 to 20 per cent as compared with last year’s returns This decrease,' combined with the fact that a fair percentage of ewes has broken down and died after lambing, means a very considerable loss to the industry. Investigations during past outbreaks as to the causes of eczema have been somewhat perfunctory, activities being abandoned when the disease showed signs of abating. It is imperative that there be more intense investigation than was displayed in the past and it is gratifying to note that the Government is alive to the seriousness of the position. It is to be sincerely hoped that as a result of the present activities, effective remedies may be discovered which will overcome the ravages of this deadly and costly disease. “A disappointing feature of the season’s transactions has been the low prices ruling for fat sheep. Many farmers, fearful of the ultimate result on in-lamb ewes of the epidemic, held for fattening considerable numbers of dry ewes. Consequently from August onward the market was over-supplied and as the values of the by-products dropped, realisations showed a marked decline —full woolled prime ewes selling at from 18s to 20s below those prices ruling twelve months previously. CHILLED BEEF TRADE.

On the whole there has been a steady demand for stord-run’ cattle, and although there have hem the usual seasonal fluctuations in prices, realisations have been generally on a par with last season’s rates. The chilled beef industry is now definitely established and as freezing companies are chilling all the year round, there has been a consistent enquiry for stock suitable to the requirements of this trade. Perhaps the most satisfactory feature of the cattle market has been a keen demand for all classes of good quality dairy stock. Prices realised right through the year have been consistently high. I desire, however, to rgain draw attention to the continued appalling wastage, owing to udder and other troubles, in dairy herds. Competent men estimate that this wastage necessitates replacement of at least 25 per cent of cows in our herds. I again emphasise the necessity for systematic investigation into the causes for this wastage which must cost the dairy farmers many thousands of pounds every year. It is, I am sure, realised by all that during the past twelve months our farmers have passed through a difficult and trying period. As I have pointed out, many factors have operated to cause fear and doubt as to the welfare of our industry in the immediate future, but I see no reason why we should be unduly pessimistic. THE OUTLOOK FOR WOOL. “The current season's wool sales are now at hand and indications are that prices, particularly for crossbred clips, will show a slight increase on last season’s returns. Any such increase will be reflected in sheep values, and although it appears likely that realisations for surplus stock may be hardly up to those ruling last year, still providing overhead and operating costs do not increase, I see no reason to doubt that the net return to the industry will show a fairly satisfactory balance.

"The Government is appealing for increased production, and I am sure that in their own interest farmers are more than willing to co-operate to the fullest extent with the authorities in order to obtain this desirable objective. Means must be adopted, however, to find outlets for any such increase in production. It is right that British farmers must receive a measure of protection from an oversupply of primary products being thrown on the British markets. I am of the opinion that the trade agreements now being entered into between the Motherland and foreign countries when in full operation must have a beneficial effect on the primary producing units of our Empire. I feel sure we may look forward with confidence to improved and increased trade relations between this Dominion and those countries with which Great Britain may make agreements—particularly I think with the United States of America.”