DAIRY HERDS SOLD

Southland Times, Issue 23311, 22 September 1937, Page 6

DAIRY HERDS SOLD

SEVERAL FARMERS CHANGE TO SHEEP Mainly because of labour problems and low prices for their products, it is stated, a number of dairy farmers in Southland have changed over to sheep in the hope of making a more profitable living. The “change overs,” it is stated, have not been serious enough to affect the industry, and indeed fewer than 10 per cent, of the farms in Southland have been affected. There has, however, been a decided increase in the number of changes from cows to sheep during the past few months. The most important of these was a sale of a herd of 60 cows and three bulls at Drummond last month, the average price realized a head being £lO.

In most cases, however, only the smaller farms have been affected. Inquiries among stock and station agents in Invercargill indicate that although the sales of dairy herds have been greater than usual there is no reason to suppose that the guaranteed price is responsible. It is stated that there is a pronounced shortage of farm labour, more especially on dairy farms, men being reluctant to accept this class of work when other positions are available.