SHEEP FOR AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10653, 14 May 1895, Page 6

SHEEP FOR AUSTRALIA.

In on article on the probable demand for longwools at the Sydney and Melbourne gheep sales, the current number of the Australasian Pastora,lis£s’ Review sounds a note of warning to sheen-breeders in New Zealand and Tasmania, as follows :

It- is useful just now to consider the question of the provable supply and demand for longwoolkd sheep at the annual fairs which wiTbifc-rf usual, bo held in Sydney ana inffltbTSßifjne in about three months. Nothing like an absolutely correct forecast can be given ; for, as affecting both vendors and purchasers, a great deal will depend upon circumstances later on. To understand what are really the requirements of the country for longwooiled sheep, for breeding with merinos, ip order to produce “freezers” for export, would necessitate the charting of the suitable land; ap.d -h, the case of New South Wales this is’Sd'%nposaibi!ity until the new Land JBIU into acceptable shape. Even then one would have to have a good idea of the graziers who are likclv to forego their predilections for the mellso and take to breeding crose-breds. Though there has been an improvement in wool values of late, it has nob been so encouraging in respect to crossbred wool as to merino. This fact must be admitted, that the sales or longwool sheep last year, especially in Sydney, were nnprecedontly largo,, and that, though the prices varied greatly, the average was satisfactory. But from what we can gather it is doubtful if there will be an equal demand at the 1895 fairs, and a note of warning ought not to ba considered out of place at the present juncture by breeders of longwools in tho island colonies. In the first place, most of those who purchased last year did so under the influence of a wave of interest in cross-breeding, which has to a large extent subsided; and they, at least, may be expected to remain content with their 1894 purchases for some time longer, or if they do purchase at the next sales it will be only a few of the very best of the particular breed for which they may believe their land most suitable. Then, again, the range of values for frozen mutton has not been so good as to hasten a vast increase in the exports from Australia. And, further, from recent developments in thawing processes, many people think that merino sheep of good quality-can bo placed upon the British and foreign markets in so much better condition and appearance than formerly as to command a price which, with merino and cross-bred wools at their present respective values, will give larger returns than crossbred sheep. There is one more aspect in which the subject should be considered, and this has special reference to New South Wales. Sheep diseases, particularly in the eastern divisions of that colony, have become serious, and there is a growing feeling that only the substitution of cattle on runs whore cheep are now depastured, or a drought, will stamp tho disease out. The drought would ba a calamity, even if the eradication of a large amount of disease should be it?-after-effect-; and, fortunately, it is not in the power of theorists to produce it; but it is a fact that many graziers believe there is a favourable turn in the tide for cattle properties, and there certainly is a disposition to graze more cattle on the infected area. Prom this cause, therefore, we may expect a decrease in the number of sheep and a want of inclination on the part of a of graziers in at least one division of New South, Wales to purchase longwools at the next Sydney fair. In placing the above considerations before our readers we do not wish to appear dogmatic; but if shippers of longwools from the island colonies will give them their attention, it may prevent disappointment. This much is certain, that with respect to longwools, the graziers of Australia have been gaining experience during the last two years, and only the bast of tho respective breeds of this type should be sent for sale to the annual sheep fairs. This is one point on which wa feel justified in speaking with confidence, and to which breeders in New Zealand and Tasmania would do well to give heed. If inferior sheep are sent forward to tho 1895 sales on anything like the same scale as was the case last year, it will almost certainly be found that, even if they sell at all, which is doubtful, tho price realised will nob cover expenses, and anyone who contemplates sending such sheep would do batter to cut their throats, and send a cheque to their local hospital as well, instead of having to pay one later on for excess of expenses over the amount realised by sale.