POVERTY BAY SHEEP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21099, 5 February 1932, Page 10

POVERTY BAY SHEEP.

FILLING WAIKATO DEMANDS. 70,000 ANIMALS TRANSFERRED. [FROM OL E OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMlLTON,'Thursday. The movement of sheep between C*isborne and the Waikato, which commenced early in January, still continues, and it is estimated that in the last five weeks no fewer than 70.000 sheep have been brought into the Waikato from Poverty Bay. The sheep consist chiefly of breeding ewes required to replenish Waikato flocks and to be used in tho fat lamb trade. At all tho sales that have bcon held in the Waikato, the Gisborne sheep have met with a good reception and in nearly all cases the prices realised have satisfied tho vendors. A feature of this year's business is that the transfer of sheep from Gisborne has commenced earlier than usual owing to the anxiety of Waikato purchasers to breed earlier and to have, their lambs ready in good time lor the Christmas demand in England.

Another factor having a bearing on tho business this year is that sheep havo been forwarded to ihe Waikato on consignment. In previous years dealers and stock agents have gone to Gisborne and bought, their requirements in the paddock. The low prices inako this procedure prohibitive this year. Recent rains iti Itawkc's Day have created a demand in that locality for Gisborne sheep, and somo 10,000 animals originally intended for the Waikato, have been diverted to that locality. Five-year-old ewes are realising 10s, and four-year-old ewes arc fetching from lis to 12s in Hawke's Bay, prices which, on tho average, ate 2s a head better than those ruling in tho Waikato.