THIRTY MILLION SHEEP

Evening Star, Issue 23021, 28 July 1938, Page 2

THIRTY MILLION SHEEP

DDHINION FIGURES A RECORD The sheep flocks of the Dominion as at April 30, 1937, constituted a record totalling 31,305,818, and the number of breeding ewes 19,332,007, was also the highest on record (states the annual report of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board). The lambing percentages proved disappointing iii some districts, but due to the larger number of breeding ewes the, number of lambs tailed was officially estimated at . the,v record figure .of 17,149,517, an increase of 1 283^^86."' ’ltwas fheroford i anticipated that?ourj kill of lambs this season would reach a'-new high: level,, but the- season: has been- .a disappointing one,- and the killing' of; lambs for export to May 31 are practically the same as last' year to the same, date. ■; •; ■ -

The prolonged dry;.weather experienced in most districts; was reflected in lower average weights'of all classes of stock. Even so, the total weight of meat killed for export this season to May 31 shows an increase of 186,891 freight carcasses over last season to the same date, and when the season finally closes it is expected that the total amount of meat treated for shipment will constitute a new record for this Dominion. The interim flock figures at April 30, 1938, just to hand, show an increase of 1,091,042, making a new high level of 32,396,860. .