INFLUX OF SHEEP

Evening Post, Issue 82, 6 April 1936, Page 7

INFLUX OF SHEEP

WAIKATO IMPORTATIONS

OVER 250,000 THIS YEAR

With the gradual cessation of the annual seasonal movement of sheep from the East Coast to the Waikato, it is estimated that, slightly more .than a quarter of a million sheep have come across country during the first three months of the year (states the "New Zealand Herald"). During the last week ;or two, however, very, few consignments, have been brought into the district and .the season appears to have definitely come to an end.

Rough.'figures compiled by stock agents indicate a.considerable increase on .the. volume of business done in pre-. vious years. -A noticeable feature has been, the exceptionally large sales that have taken place for forward delivery.

In the earlier part of the season marly, farmers held the opinion that the high prices being-asked for breeding ewes' were unreasonable. Hpwever,. those, who • delayed their purchases found that values at later sales were equally high and that in many cases the selection was riot as good. One major factor that' has been responsible for keeping the market at a high level has • been the abundance of feed experienced throughout the Waikato this autumn.

Also., there are distinct indications that, more and more farmers,, especially dairy farmers,-are running sheep with-tlieir.herds'. .For some years now, it has'been customary for dairy farmersl. nv districts affected with ragwort' to'run a few .sheep for the purpose of keeping the weed in' check. This season, farmers, even in the cleanest country,.are following their lead, most of them realising that a number, of sheep, on a '-. dairy farm can prove to be a most profitable sideline. . ■

During the past three months, which X.~y be regarded as the 1936 season, the chief distributing centre ' for the •■'aikato has been Morrinsville. Of the 250,000 or so sheep that have been ab.orbed in the Waikato since Christmas, it is estimated that at least 100,000 have been sold for forward delivery direct to the farmer. The balance has been distributed mainly through Morrinsville. , . .

To cope with this enormous number of animals, dozens of special goods trains have been running throughout the season. .Large, numbers of sheep have been shipped from the ■ East Coast, to Tauranga and then 'railed t» Morrinsville; while . many . flocks have travelled to Taneatua' by, road and then been sent on by rail.

It, having been reported by the Petone captain that the wicket at. Petone was unfit for play, the Univer-sity-Fetone match was not continued on Saturday. Pelone had made 19i5 on the first' day, and University did «iot bat.