FARM AND MARKET

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21227, 25 September 1940, Page 11

FARM AND MARKET

WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REVIEW (By “Stockman”) Items of Interest, Enquiries in regard to Shows and Sales and General Comment from Readers will be welcomed. These should be addressed to “ Stockman,” Waikato Times, Hamilton.

SHOWS AND SALES Frankton Stock Sale: Every Tuesday. Cambridge Stock Sale: Every Monday. Te Awamutu Stock Sale: Every Thursday. Morrmsville Stock Sale: Every Friday. Te Kauwhata Stock Sale: Every Monday. Tavudri Stock Sale: Every second tv ednesday. All Breeds Stud Bull Sale, Claudelands: October 4. DEMAND FOR BULLS INQUIRY IN WAIKATO RECENT SPECIAL FAIRS HEALTHY STOCK MARKET Late rates are repeated for fat asttle. Store cattle sell readily at unchanged values. Keen inquiry continues for ♦airy cattle. Fat sheep are fully firm. No change is reported for store sheep. Fat pigs usually make late rates. Store pigs continue dear at all yards. Feature of Waikato stock activities during the week has been the keen demand for dairy bulls emphasised at the special bull fairs and notably the big annual fair of the Waikato Combined Breeders’ Association at Claudelands last week. The inquiry right through this season has been the best for some years. No really sensational prices have been realised, but the average realisation has been highly satisfactory from the vendor’s point of view. Although the inquiry for Ayrshires, Friesians and Shorthorns at the combined breeders’ sale may have been a little disappointing, the market for the big entry of Jerseys was exceptionally keen and values showed a very distinct rise. The story was the same at the annual fair of the Matamata Jersey Club last week and that of the Morrinsville Jersey Club on Monday. The demand for bulls has been a healthy indication of farmers’ desire to obtain quality bulls to grade up their herds. A steady inquiry has been shown for the various classes of fat stock during the week and where supplies have been average late rates have been generally well held. Duller Beef Inquiry A duller inquiry has been experienced for beef throughout the Wai-

kato during the past few weeks, and no improvement was noticeable during the period under review. Shorter entries have failed to strengthen the position and on the face of things it does not appear likely that values will show any distinct rise in the near future. The tone of the market in the cow and heifer beef section has been brighter than in the ox section. At the central yards yesterday, although ox supplies showed a further decline and were the lightest seen at this centre for some time, theer was little enthusiasm and price changes were in buyers’ favour. With prices at their present level, larger entries appear unlikely and greater freezing works activity is indicated. A good inquiry has continued for store cattle and recent special entries have attracted keen attention. A special entry of 200 3 and 4-year-old Coast bullocks at Frankton yesterday sold at an average of close on £9 ss. Little Change For Sheep There has been little change in the fat sheep market during the week and average supplies have been readily cleared at firm rates. Woolly entries are becoming rapidly fewer, this being particularly noticeable at the central yards yesterday. Some excellent lines of ewes have continued to come forward and for these the demand has been particularly £ood. At Frankton yesterday, shorn ewes were dearer in proportion to other classes. Not many store sheep have been forward, but a very active inquiry has been shown whenever they have been offered Market For Pigs Activity is rapidly increasing in the fat pig trade and every week sees larger entries at Waikato yards. Larger benches have commenced to operate and this fact has helped to maintain values. Although the market on the whole has been firm, there has been no small amount of variation in values from week to week, particularly as far as porkers are concerned. Light porkers have been so dear at times, however, that recessions of values are inevitable. Store pigs are still particularly dear and large entries have proved of little benefit to buyers.

Keen Clearing Sale One of the most successful clearing sales held in the Waikato for some time was one at Ohinewai last Friday, when a herd of 36 grade Shorthorn cows sold up to £3O, with an average of just over £ls 15s. Choice quality young cows in milk made from £2O to £3O. The attendance at the sale was one of the largest seen at a clearing sale in the district for some years. The sale was conducted by Messrs G. W. Yfcoe and Company, on behalf of Mr C. Hill. Butterfat Records The importance of butterfat records was emphasised at the annual combined breeders’ bull fair at Claudelands last week. Any bull with really good butterfat backing was sure of a keen reception from the big buying bench, but those whose butterfat backing was mediocre sold slowly. Entries with no butterfat records to support them were usually difficult to sell. This was in contrast to only a few years ago when type and appearance were practically the only considerations when it came to buying bulls at auction, but times have changed and buyers want some proof of a bull’s ability and not merely promises. Inspection of Bulls The inspection committee did very good work at the annual bull fair at the Waikato Combined Breeders’ Association last week at Claudelands. All entries were closely examined beforehand and any not coming up to the exacting standards of requirements were rejected. The inspection committee had the assistance of the Government stock inspector, Mr E. A. McKinlay, v/ho came along to help the committee although he was on holiday. The inspection committee consisted of Messrs F. S. Veale (Jersey breeders), D. D. Wilson (Jersey type judge), W. C. Wallace (Ayrshire breeders), A. W. Green (Shorthorn breeders) and T. G. Whewell (Friesian breeders, and president of the association). This year’s big bull fair was an outstanding success and in every way v/as a credit to the breeders’ association. Five Per Cent Increase

The recent 5 per cent increase in award wages was debated at the last : meeting of the Auckland executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, and led to the passing of a resolution j : protesting against a blanket increase i of the kind decreed by the Arbitra- j tion Court. It was considered that j 1 in view of the fact that increases in 1 the cost of living bear most heavily j on men with families dependent on i 1 them, any action taken to relieve { ; the position should be done, not by a ! ' general increase in wages, but by in- j creased family allowances and fur- j ther relief from taxation for taxpayers with family responsibilities. 1 Several speakers emphasised the ! need, in the national interest, for en- ! couraging people to have children. The view was expressed that the Farmers’ Union should take up this question and deal with it vigorously by propaganda and agitation for better treatment for those who under- . take the duty of rearing the next i generation of New Zealanders. i