FARM AND MARKET

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20992, 20 December 1939, Page 13

FARM AND MARKET

WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REVIEW

(By “Stockman”)

Items of Interest, Enquiries in regard to Shews and Sales and Generei Comment from Headers will be welcomed. These should be addressed to “Stockman,” Waikato Times, Hamilton.

SHOWS AND SALES Cambridge Stock Sale: Every Monday. Hamilton Stock Sale: Every Tuesday. Hamilton Store Sheep Sale: Every Wednesday. Te Awamutu Stock Sale: Every Thursday. Morrinsville Stock Sale: Every Friday.

YEAR’S STOCK TRADE

INFLUENCE OF WAR ACTIVITIES MAINTAINED KEEN TONE OF MARKETS The event of greatest significance to the Waikato stock trade this year v/as the outbreak of war at the beginning of September. However, there was not the dislocation of trade that was at first anticipated although the full effects of the war may yet have to be felt. Righyt through the year the Waikato stock market has been marked by steady trading and the period since August, when the usual spring uplift in values first becomes apparent, has been the most successful from the vendor’s point of view for many years. The seller at Waikato saleyards this year has in the main had reason to be satisfied with his year’s activities.

Fortunately from the vendor’s point of view, prices ruling at Waikato stock centres at the outbreak of war were at a fairly high level and consequently the Government’s announcement that fat stock values were not to exceed those ruling on September 1 had no adverse effects on markets. Since the spring values in all departments have kept up particularly well and the volume of trade was considerably greater than last year. Beef values were particularly keen, while those in the sheep and pig sections have compared favourably with other years. Chilled Beef Trade

The cessation of the chilled beef trade owing to the war has had a fairly marked effect on the beef department of the market as with the closing of this important outlet for prime young beef, entries in the open market have naturally increased. Fat cattle yardings at the Frankton market during the last few months have been among the largest yet seen at this centre, but happily enough for vendors the demand has been usually sufficient to cope with the heavy supplies forward.

The chilled beef trade has done much to improve the standard of beef in the Waikato and naturally enough there is some fear that the standard may slip back during the suspension of the trade. However, no one can say when the trade will be resumed and it is essential that the standard that has been achieved will be in existence when normal trading relationships are resumed. Producers should do their utmost to build up the standard of the district’s beef cattle even further so that the trade will suffer no handicap when the war has ended.

Although perhaps not so many have been traded, store cattle have been in good demand and the keen .prices paid on many occasions during the last few months have provided some indication of the confidence of graziers in the future of the beef trade. The abundant rain experienced during the last few weeks stimulated store cattle inquiry and final spring fairs were usually very well supported. Good inquiry was shown for pedigree cattle during the year and the various special sales were always well attended. The September bull fairs attracted wide interest and all bulls of quality were keenly sought, values comparing favourably with those of last year. At the saleyards grade dairy cows have sold very successfully, while very keen prices were often given for yearling heifers. Fat Sheep Market Although only a quiet market was experienced for fat sheep for the early part of the year, the tone of the market later improved and : since August values grew progressively better. One of the features of the market was the average size of the entries that have come forward at the central yards | during the last six months, a full yarding being on offer practically every Tuesday. Considering the heaviness of supplies there has been surprisingly little fluctuation in the market although the usual seasonal slackening was observed a few weeks ago. An important change for the wool grower this season is the war-time appraisal of all wool instead of the usual auctions. Although there was some disappointment that the price for coarse wool under the Government purchase did not show the same comparative improvement as did that for fine wool, the wool ' prices were generally well received in wool circles. With the uncertainty of wool auctions removed for the time being, growers are assured 01 a fairly satisfactory price and will probably be able to operate with more confidence. This in turn will ; probably be reflected at the fat stock i centres. j Although no really definite indica- ! tion can be given until the final | figures are obtained, fat lamb killi ings promise to bear favourable { comparison with other years alI though some in the trade are of the ! opinion that there are not as many j lambs in the Waikatp as last year. ; The schedule on which export : buyers have been operating was j pronounced a satisfactory one by j the trade in this district although some complaint was expressed in one or two other districts. In the pig trade, a keen market has been experienced throughout the year and despite the record size of the yardings at recent auctions particularly keen sales have been experienced.

NOTES AND COMMENTS Royal Show Pigs Mr G. Jamieson, of Horotiu, the well-known pig breeder, who judged the pig sections at the Southland Koval Show, said that there was a great showing of stock. Certain classes, notably the beef classes, had been better on the average than northern stock, but on the whole there was a similarity of quality. The management of the show, he said, was all that one could wish for. Cheap Champion Two or three years ago, Mr Lonsdale Glenn, of Onga Onga, purchased from the Massey Agricultural Collegj at Palmerston North a weaner Tam worth sow for £3 3s. The sow justified Mr Glenn’s choice for it won a first prize and a championship at the Waikato Royal Show, a success which was reseated at the recent Tomoana Show. Recently the sow with its litter of seven was sold at auction in Hastings and realised the high figure of £54 Is fid. The purchaser at this figure, which is a record one for Hawke’s Bay, was Mr H. Wilson, Springdale, Karamu. A further argument in favour of the belief that there is money in pigs. Waikato on Top The success of last year's Waikato Royal Show is indicated by the following table, giving the number of entries at the various Royal Shows

held since 1924:— Number of Year Place Entries 1924 Palmerston North 2205 1925 Christchurch 2267 1926 Auckland 1780 1927 Christchurch 2290 1928 Palmerston North 2057 1929 Invercargill 2060 1930 " Hastings 1817 1931 Ch ristchurch 2141 1932 Palmerston North 2221 1933 Auckland 2082 1934 Invercargill 2171 1935 Hastings 2253 1936 Christchurch 2909 1937 Palmerston North 2658 1938 Hamilton 3089 1939 Invercargill 2162