Faster Increase In Sheep Numbers

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32352, 18 July 1970, Page 44

Faster Increase In Sheep Numbers

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. Sheep numbers would rise by more than 3 per cent this winter, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Carter) said in a statement today.

This was a faster increase than had been achieved in the last two years, he said. The Minister said the decline in sheep numbers recorded in the annual report of the Department of Agriculture was predicted last August and had been offset by an increase in the numbers of breeding ewes and beef cattle. “These movements in livestock numbers are symptomatic of the change taking place in the farming industry” Mr Carter said. “What is important is that the breeding capacity of the livestock industry is being maintained." The Minister said that as well as the' increase expected in sheep numbers this winter, beef cattle numbers had increased by 5.2 per cent and dairy cattle numbers also increased, “Over the last three years there has been d decrease in the 1 use of fertilisers and a

decline in capital investment in the farming industry, but the position is now being reversed,” Mr Carter said. “Farm investment will probably be found to have increased by at least 9 per cent for the year 1969-70, and fertiliser applications for the year ended June 30 will have approached the record level reached in 1966., “With the assistance of the recent fertiliser subsidy, use should increase still further and exceed 2m tons in the present season.”