DOMINION’S SHEEP.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 29 August 1929, Page 5

DOMINION’S SHEEP.

INCREASE IN NUMBERS

CONDITIONS J‘N INDUSTRY

REVIEWED

(By Telegraph —Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 28

“It is gratifying to note that sheep flocks have established a Dominion record during this year with regard to numbers, over 29,000,000 sheep having been returned,’’ said Mr. H. D. Ackland, chairman of the council of the New Zealand Federation of Sheepowners., to-day. “Since 1922, when Jour flocks were at their lowest point tor a number of years, there has been an average increase per annum of nearly one million head, or a total of over 6,750,000 sheep during the period. “It is gratifying that every province has shown an increase, and it is clear that the increase is due only in a very small extent to reduced killings of lamb and mutton. Increased carrying capacity induced by top-j dressing, and in some cases by the resumption of. grazing as against graingrowing. has contributed more than any other cause to this satisfactory position. “The value of the increased numbers of sheep this year can be roughly set down at approximately £2, 000,000'. This is a substantial increment to the assets of sheep-owners, and the increased clip we may expect this year should in largo measure offset the lowered value on the world’s markets which we unfortunately are experiencing, and which from present indications may possibly continue. “1 am afraid that if the downward tendency which is apparent in allround values on a world basis continues, we must prepare ourselves for still further reductions in price levels during coming years. “Although a considerable increase in the Dominion’s flocks was shown by last year’s returns, no great increase in the export of lambs has occurred. The result may be a greatly increased export of carcases next year, the effect of which may be still further to lower the price ot our frozen mutton and lamb on the London market.

“The expected increase in exports in this direction will make the work of our Meat Control Board extremely difficult, and I feel that every care will be necessary in the placing of our exports for next season in order that the increased quantities available may not have a effetct on the values of our frozen lamb.”