CALL FOR BIG BOOST IN SHEEP POPULATION

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30632, 24 December 1964, Page 1

CALL FOR BIG BOOST IN SHEEP POPULATION

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, December 23. An urgent appeal for a greater increase in New Zealand’s sheep flocks was made tonight by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys).

“The Government has adopted national livestock targets for 1972-73 recommended by the Agricultural Development Conference,” said Mr Taiboys. “At present our sheep population is 51 million. It has grown by 2.3 million during the last two years. Over the next eight years we would need to double this annual rate of increase. “This points up the magnitude of our task and the need for a determined effort now if the targets are to be achieved,” said Mr Taiboys.

“Our initial effort must be concentrated on the build-up of breeding flocks, firstly in the hill country but also in those areas where the breeding programme can be easily adjusted. “On hill country farms every effort should be made to retain extra young ewes for breeding, as this is the starting point for the build-up.

“There are other areas where conditions are such that the farmer has the choice whether to breed down-cross or ‘white-faced’ lambs. At present, in order to speed the build-up of flocks, I would urge the raising of ‘white-faced’ lambs for breeding where possible. “In addition, on lowcountry farms the retention of suitable ewes in breeding

flocks will assist further in the increase of breeding numbers. This will be necessary to compensate for the greater retention of ewes on the hill country. “The measures I am urging do not mean any departure from the basic breeding policies which have made the New Zealand down-cross lamb pre-eminent on world meat markets. It only means that special measures are necessary in order to build up ewe

numbers before we can step up export lamb production. “I do not make thus appeal lightly and I would not make the appeal except that I have every confidence in the future of our great meat and wool-producing industries,” said Mr Taiboys. “On world markets New Zealand meat is finding a very keen demand. All our wool is being readily taken up, although at prices below the peak levels of last season.

“Farmers used over 20 per cent more fertiliser last season. This tremendous increase means that there will be in most districts ample pasture growth to cater for an immediate and substantial increase in stock numbers.

“The recently concluded Agricultural Development Conference emphasised the need for New Zealand to step up exports of farm products and made many farreaching recommendations to the Government in the fields of finance, taxation and farm management. “The Government has already introduced worthwhile incentives and is now investigating these new recommendations. “The maintenance of the living standards of all in New Zealand is dependent on the success we achieve in attaining the targets set. “In the next few months, however, our immediate concern is to ensure that this season will see the start of an accelerated build-up of our breeding flocks. It is realised that this will be very difficult in some areas affected by drought, but decisions made in the next few weeks by sheepfarmers will determine the success of the national livestock development programme.”