FLOCKS AND HERDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 14

FLOCKS AND HERDS

SURVEY BY MINISTER 5 iTHE DECLINE IN EWES TENDENCY NOW ARRESTED DAIRY COWS' ANNUAL INCREASE Comment on the- great improvement in the sheep industry is contained in a statement issued by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan. ! "After three extremely bad price seasons, the sheep industry promises a marked measure of recovery, as indicated by the demand for wool and meat," stated the Minister. "Although the most spectacular price increases have been for certain lines of fine wool, the average advance oil tho coarser types has been greater than that for half bred and Merino types, and, as New Zealand is essentially a producer of crossbred wool, this movement is of particular significance." Mr. Macmillan added that, in addition to the buoyancy of wool, the opening of the lamb season had been gratifying. The season opened some weeks in advance of Australia, and the comparative scarcity of frozen lamb on English markets resulted in good prices being paid. As was to bo expected, prices eased with tho advance of the season and heavier supplies, but the indications / at present were hopeful. Much better values for casings and some other byproducts had been a useful aid toward the improved position. Ewe Flock Decline Arrested An important point dealt with by the Minister was the apparent arrest of the decline which has been noted in the ewe flocks. He said the decline in sheep flocks consequent upon low prices had continued, as illustrated by stock returns at April 30 last, the figures for 1933 being 27,755,966, as compared with 25,691,758- in 1932. The enumeration was not, however, of great significance. The figure to which great importance was attached was that for breeding ewes, which in 1932 showed a decline of more than 500,000. For April 30, 1933, the figures, were 17,209,697, compared with. 17,063,060 in . 1932, which suggested, that the decline in, the ewe flock had already been arrested. That, with the high average lambing for "1932 and 1933 should ensure that' the position was safeguarded. "In past depressions, recovery of sheep; flocks has been effected in three to four seasons," continued the Minister. "A lambing average estimated at 89.82. per cent for 1932 was feomewhat of a record for the Dominion, being 4.62 per cent above the average for the previous 15 years. That percentage represented a total of 15,457,302 lambs, as compared with 15,156,151 in the 'preyious season. Less Killing for Export "The heavy slaughtering of sheep and lambs during the depression has been definitely arrested, as is indicated by killings for export during the season ended' September" 30. The figures, for mutton and lamb carcases for the 12 months 0f,.1933, as compared with a similar period in 1932, given in parentheses, are: Mutton, - 2,010,159 (2.872,860).; 1amb,8,794,906.^8,804,889). "The recovery of wool prices from an average of 5.15 d a pound in 1932-33, to the average level indicated by the sales to date is an item of great satisfaction. Should this movement be maintained, the value of the season's wool . clip will be about £10,000,000 in New Zealand currency." Referring to the dairy industry, the Minister said the rapid increases in the herds during the past three years could be definitely associated with the general price level for farm produce. The advantage of even a small monthly cheque had led to sheep farmers building up herds of varying size. In addition, partially developed dairy farms had been subject to improved methods. ' Growing Dairy Herds

The result of all activities had been an annual increase of more than 100,000 cows. /The figure at January 31, 1933. stood at 1,845,972 milking cows, compared with 1,702,070 in 1932. Where the average production per cow stood at 199.651b. butter-fat for 1931-32, it increased to 215.101b. in 1932-33. It was difficult to account for such an advance other than through, climatic influences. . Continuing, the Minister said the export value of dairy produce for the 11 months ended on November 30,' 1929, to 1933 inclusive, was as follows: 1929, £17,360,441; 1930, £16,534,336; 1931, £13,108,611; 1932, £13,585,348; and 1933, £14,511,168. The s figures indicated : tho remarkable degreo of stability reached by the dairy industry as a whole, under the most adverse conditions. It was true tbat the result had been obtained through milking more cows, but it could be expected that 'the improved position of sheep might cause many sheepfarmers who had gone in for dairying to some extent to commence to revert to sheep alone. Low commodity prices had emphasised the fact that pigs, properly managed, could be so utilised as to increase the gross returns from butter-fat considerably. For the season ended July 31, 1933, 522,182 pigs were killed, compared with 370,469 for the previous year. The potentialities of the present season could /be gauged from the fact that 75,409 breeding sows were recorded in January of last year, compared with 71,706 in 1931. It had been assumed that the use of artificial fertilisers was closely associated with "dairy production. To encourage farmers to use fertilisers, Government action in subsidising the manufacture of superphosphate had continued,- in addition to railway "freight reductions pertaining in the past. Deispite the' consequent reduction in price, the use of superphosphate had not been maintained, no doubt as a result of the difficult financial position of many producers. '