LAMBING PERCENTAGES IN WANGANUI COUNTY SHOW 5.9 INCREASE

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1950, Page 4

LAMBING PERCENTAGES IN WANGANUI COUNTY SHOW 5.9 INCREASE

Lambing percentages in the Wanganui County this season show a 5.9 per cent increase over those of last year, according to figures recorded by the Department of Agriculture. The Wanganui County is the only lone in the district which showed an increase this year, however, both the Waitotara and Patea counties recording a decline. Patea, nevertheless, still has an excellent percentage. The percentages, with last year’s figures in parentheses, are: Wanganui 91 (85.1); Waitotara 90 (98.99); Patea, 97 (102.58). The Agricultural Department compiles its lambing statistics by returns from a cross-section of settlers—back, hill and low country and small and large holdings. The increase in the Wanganui County was attributed to the excellent season and to the fact that many farmers are breeding more white-face lambs. A lot of old ewes have been retained also. The increased number of returns 'received from back-country farmers had considerable influence in lowering the percentages of the Waitotara and Patea counties. In these areas, where wild pigs destroy many young lambs, the lambing rate was as low as 70 per cent or under. Patea, whose average is always .greater than the other two counties, took the honours for the best ewe flock —one farmer gained 120 per cent. Wanganui’s best was 107 per cent, and Waitotara’s 112 per cent. A report from Hawke's Bay states that one small flock near Waipukurau Achieved an average of 125 per cent.