SOUTH DOWNS POPULAR.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 460, 19 March 1909, Page 2

SOUTH DOWNS POPULAR.

THE NORTH ISLAND TREND. FOLLOWING THE MARKETS. Meat is overshadowing wool in the eyes of sheep fanners this season, and Cantorbury breeders of the Southdown sheep—the favourite moat breed—have experienced an exceptionally keen demand for rams. Practically the whole of tho available supplies have been already disposed of at satisfactory prices. And the interesting feature about tho matter is that most of theso plump little rams have oomo to tho North Island. Obviously northerners arc stiffening in their faith in tho mutton and lamb markets of tlio future, and aro willing to sacrifice a little wool in the determination to produco next season a line of lambs that may justly be labelled prime Canterbury." The results in tho past favourable season have no doubt helped towards this development. But it has to bo borne in mind that tho effects of tho change cannot b6 retrospective. No amount of good luck in the past season can compensate for a reversal (if one should happen) next year; and in this connection, weather and feed and prices have to be calculated. Tho new preference given to light weights by tho buyers—whether permanent or (as some farmers regard it) only a temporary whip of retaliation upon farmers who have held on to their stoeks instead of selling at ruling rates —presents, nevertheless, an aspect that deserves close consideration. Early maturity and early sale must become more than over tho rule of the industry. But to make this possiblo, and to makjo tho fat lamb industry in tho north the success that it is beginning to try to become, there must be far more provision mado for the feeding of the owes and lambs than has been necessary in tho present season, The art and activity of cropping must be a closo study for the next few years.