WETHERS USEFUL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 87, 6 January 1940, Page 17

WETHERS USEFUL

Return Analysed A hill-country farmer of Manawatu, whose place is on the Tararua range, is disappointed at the price for fat wethers. His ideal winter stocking was to run 900 ewes and 150 wethers. The latter were his “ihock-absorbers” ; they could be piuched if' necessary and readily sold at any mouth of the year, if needful or convenient.

The fall in the market last season to about 18/- a head made them unprofitable to carry and so he abandoned his line and 'canned extra ewes. He had hoped that the position might be improved when the commandeer come, as wether mutton is good, solid meat, of value as a war food. The price determined, 20/6 to 21/6, is of little worth under rising costs.

Against this, however, we would set also the gain in wool value, of 3d. lb. If wethers clipped 101 b., this means 2/6 each. Put to this the 2/- gain in fat price and there is a total improvement of 4/6 in gross return. This should make wether carrying worthy of consideration. A year's wool growth of 101 b. at say 12-jd. lb. equals 10/3 gross and would net 9/3 on present, charges. As to re-turn-from growth, that is dependent upon the store prices paid. These will soon be seen.