SHEEPFARMERS' YEAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19416, 26 August 1926, Page 14

SHEEPFARMERS' YEAR.

OUTLOOK IN THE PROVINCE. MILD WINTER CONDITIONS. GOOD LAMBINCS EXPECTED. Sheep farming in the Auckland province has not oxpanded during recent years to the same extent as dairying. Nevertheless _it continues to be a highly important branch of rural industry and is developing on sound lines. Flocks are being built up and the annual wool clip is being increased, while the exports of lamb and mutton are being well maintained. Steady improvement, due to improved breeding methods, is noted in the quality of the wool offered at the local sales, while the quality of the sheep arid lambs exported to the London market has reached a high standafd of excellence. Reports from Herald correspondents in various parts of the province indicate that a good lambing season is being experienced and high percentages are anticipated.

Waikiekie and Whangarei. The sheep prospects for the new season in the Waikiekie district are very promising, states the correspondent. The ewes are in splendid heart and there is every indication of a good lambing. The lambs that have already come in are in a strong condition, thanks to the mild weather. The Northern farmers are evidently endeavouring to follow the example of the Manawatu settlers in going in for Southdown iambs. Mr. Love, a new settler in 1 Waikiekie, introduced the Southdown sheep to the Waikiekie district about three years ago, and last season, out of 200 lambs, 195 went to the freezing works. The North seems to suit the sheep, the lambs doing remarkably well, enabling the farmer to get them to the freezer as fats at the earliest possible moment. The railway service is as perfect as it 'can be for this district, and the railway is the salvation not only of the district, but also the whole country through which it passes. Quite a number, of new shearing plants have been installed and new sheep dips constructed. The whole district is looking omnrkably well and is showing good results from top-dressing. Most of the settlers are busy bringing in new country and cleaning up the farms generally. According to a prominent sheep farmer the flocks in the Whangarei district are unusually healthy, states the Whangarei correspondent, • and a heavy lambing is taking place throughout the district. Twins are much in evidence, and as the weather has been mild, it is expected that the average will be well up to 100 per cent. Northern Wairoa District.

Sheep men, of whom thero are not a great number in the district, report that it has been a good season so far for lambing and some high percentages should be obtained, states the Northern Waifoa correspondent. Like their friends the dairymen, sheep farmers are gradually improving their flocks, and quite a number of' highly-bred stud sheep have fecently been imported into the district to improve the flocks, Corriedales are increasing in favour and there are quite a number of this breed now in the district.

The Paparoa correspondent states that owing to a good winter for stock, sheep are generally in fair condition. The weather was very good for early lambing and on the whole fair for the main season so far. Considerable liming and top-dress-ing has been donq, lime from the works at Waikiekie now being supplied finely ground and giving groat satisfaction. Taiimarunui and Rotorua. The Taumarunui correspondent states that it is as yet rather early to judge the lambing percentage, as most of the lambs will be dropped during the latter part of this month and early in September. However, the ewes are in better condition than usual and if the number of twin lambs that have already, appeared can be taken as a guide, the average percentage should be high. Against this the drop in prices and the not too bright outlook for mutton and iamb on the London market has probably affected the number of ewes turned out, so that tho total lamb production may bo lower than usual. Lambing prospects in the Rotorua district are excellent. Some sheep men have had early lambs, which show promise of maturity. About half tho ewes have dropped on some of the warmer lands. Sheep are in very good condition, and wool" prospects aro bright. As with the. dairymen, capital is needed to break in tracts of hill country. The reports from Reparoa and other areas indicate that progress is steadily maintained. To Kuiti District. Tho To Kuiti correspondent states that in that district 90 per cent, of lambs are expected, as against the 80 per cent, which was the general average last year. The ewes are in splendid fettle, and the conditions are described as ideal as a result of the good state of tie flocks generally. It is expected that fleeces will average quite a pound heavier than last season. Official figures show that there Were 205,781 sheep in the district last season, and the gross return is conservatively estimated at £BO,OOO for wool and £70,000 for fat sheep and lambs. Run cattle totalled 40,000, from which the return was £BO,OOO. The total revenue from dairying, sheep and cattle wa3 approximately £460,000. It is probable, however, that in a few years time these figures, large though they are, will be eclipsed.