THE PROBABLE DEMAND FOR LONGWOOLS AT SYDNEY AND
Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, 10 May 1895, Page 2
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THE PROBABLE DEMAND FOR LONGWOOLS AT SYDNEY AND
MELBOURNE SHEEP SALES. ('Auslralaoinn Pastorfllists,' Review.') It is useful ust now io consider the question of the probable supply and demand for longwoolled sheep at the annual fairs which will, as usual, be held in Sydney and Melbourne in about thres months. Nothing like an absolutely correct forecast can be given ; for, as affecting both vendors and purchasers, a great deal will depend upon circumstances later on. To understand what are. really the requirements of the country for longwoolled aheep, for breeding with merinos, in order to produce ' freezers ' for export, would necessitate the charting of the suitable land ; and in the case of New South Wales this is an impossibility until the new Land Bill is moulded into acceptable shape. Even then, one would have to have a good idea of the givziers who are likely to forego their predilections for the merino, and take to breeding crossbreds. Though there has been an improvement in wool values of late, it has not been bo encouraging in respect to crossbred wool as to merino. This fact must be admitted, that the sales of longwool cheep last year, especially in Sydney, were unprecedentedly large, and that, though the prices varied greatly, the average was satisfactory. But from wbai we can gather, it is doubtful if thera will be an equal demand at the 1895 fairs, and a note of warning ought cot to be considered out of place at the present juncture by breeders of' locgwools in the island colonies. In the first place, most of those who purchased last year did so under the influence of a wave of interest in crossbreeding, which has to a large extent subsided ; and they, at least, may be expected to remain content with their 1394 purchases for gome time longer ; or, if they do purchase a' the next sales it will be only a few of the very best of the particular breed for which they may believe their land most suitable. Then, again, tbe range of values for frozen mutton has not been so good as to hasten a vast increasfi in the exports from Australia ; aud, furthtr, from recent developments in thawing procaase*, many people think that merino sheep of good quality can be pieced upon the British and foreign markets in so much better condition and appearance than formerly as to command a price which, with merino and crossbred wools at their present respective values, will give larger re'urns than crossbred sheep. There is one more aspect in which the subject should be considered, andi this haß special reference to New South Wales. Sheep diseases, particularly in the eastern divisions of that colony, have become serious, and theie is a growing feeling that only the substitmion of cattle on runs where sheep are now depastured, or a drought, will stamp the disease- out. The drought would be a calamity, even if the eradication of a large amount of disease should be its aftereffect; and fortunately it; is not in the power of theorists to produce it ; but it is a fact that many graziers believe there is a favorably turn in the tide for cattle properties, and there certainly is a disposition to greza more cattle on the infected area. From this cause, therefore, we may expect a decrease in the number of sheep and a want of inclination on the part of a number of graziers in at least one division of New South Wales to purchase longwools at the next Sydney fair. In placing the above consideration" befoie our readers, we do not wish to appear dogmatic ; but if shippers of longwools from the island colonies will give them their attention, it may prevent disappointment. This much is certain, that with respect to longwools, the graziers of Australia have been gaining experience during the la6t two year?, and only tho best of the respec tive breeds of this type should be sent for sale to tho annual sheep fairs. Thii is one point on which we feel justified in speaking with confidence, and to which breeders in New Zealand and Tasmania would do well to give heed. i If inferior sheep are sent forward to the 1895 sales on anything like the same scale as waß the case last year, it will almost certainly be found that, -even if they sell at all, which is doubtful, the price realised will not cover expense^ and anyone who contemplates sending Bnch sheep would do better to cut their throats, and send a cheque to their local hospitil as well, instead of having to pay one later on fi.r excess of expsusea over the amounc realised by Bale.
