SHORTAGE OF FAT SHEEP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 7

SHORTAGE OF FAT SHEEP.

(Oamaru Mail.)

The supply of fat sheep has contracted to such an e_xtent as to give reason for -those interested in the frozen meat trade to look forward to its future with some apprehension. k . . Various explanations may be put forward'for the comparative exhaiistion of the supply of sheep suitable for export; but .we believe that the «ause has been the enormous shipment of lambs. The profits of that trade were very tempting; but the ultimate result/ if the proceeding is persisted in,~ niust^ "be 'disastrous to the' -frozen meat trade. * Some J ' time ago we pointed out what would be the result, hilt we -were certainly not prepared for so early a realisation .of our fears. It is, ' of course, possible Jhat & contributory cause of the present dearth of sheep for freezing ' purposes may be the greater attention to the breeding of merino sheep induced by the reinarlcablo advance that took place some time ' back -in the price of fing wools^ If that be , so, ,then the means may be available for an ■ «arly replenishing of -supply of crossbred sheep. That is" a point, however, that we have no means of determining ->iat present. Th6- rf question of the future of the meat export trade is one that^ in view of &he facts now established, should engage the earnest of all who. are interested in pas-

'ifcoral pursuits. . . Whilst Victoria, South Australia, and the _ greater of New South Wales send tavour- ; -able' weather and grass reports this month ( ' -^August), unfortunately the general rauis ,; ■ ihroughout the • drought-stricken districts in Queensland lecorded in our last issue have not been followed by any falls worthy of notice. The- weather turned very cold J'fter the big rain, and consequently the growth of -grass and herbage was checked. Latest ieports state -that the rainfall was insufficient ■io do any permanent good,_though it' afforded ,some temporary relief. it was confidently hoped that the rain 'had been sufficiently heavy to induce a sufficient growth of feed to justify the -return of stock .from repteel country in the coastal districts to, uhiir It me pastures, but this hope has not been realised. We fear that when further rains fail, an i i-he stock -can be sent home .again, it will be "found that the losses on tlie coast country •have been heavy. It is impossible to form any estimate of what the total losses have -been, "because in many eases musters are altogether out of the question, -and it is equally impossible to say how many of the sheep that . -were left to take their chance on • their home runs have. died. One

thing is certain,' however, that whatever the' number ultimately proves to "be, it' will be something enormous. _ Sooner or r later the .matter of restocking will have to be faced, and the question is where are the sheep to come from? There is no doubt that if the sheep can be procured, -tlie money '' -\vill be forthcoming to make the purchases, ;for those interested cannot afford to have the country lying .idle "on 'th'oir hands. There /will be no sjtbc'k available for the purpose in ISTew South 'Wales,', where the same problem -• exists, and we cannot quite see, in view of the ..low vahies of ; woql, how the very 'high prices 3?eing . obtainecl f^)r casfc> ewes off shears . can .jie justified. The natural increase from' the «heep that survive the drought will, no doubt, in -the course of- two or three years, .solve this difficulty, but .in .the meantime the very 'heavy expenditure incurred in relating country, scrub-cutting, fodder, cost of training and' droving, etc., has to be met, while, on the other hand, greatly-reduced incomings, con-^ sequent on diminished stock numbers, deteriorated wool clip, and the low -prices for "wool, must seriously cripple'the pastoral com- ! munity for some time to come. — Australasian j Tastoralists' Review.