ONE OF THE MOST PROFITABLE BRANCHES OF SHEEP-FARMING.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 126, 21 February 1919, Page 8

ONE OF THE MOST PROFITABLE BRANCHES OF SHEEP-FARMING.

Tho universal opinion of breeders of fat lambs in the North "Island is that the Southdown ram is tbe most suitable sheep for producing early fat lambs. This mm, mated, with a good foiir or five-year-old Romney-Lincoln ewo (preferably Itomncj'), provided, of course, the ewo is fed well, has produced a very handsome return, during the last five years. During' tho war stockmen in general predicted for those fanning tho black-face sheep anything but • a rosy futnro, but it is quite safe to say that those who fnrnicd this class of sheep during'the years of war hnve come out with flying colours. To-day the nwkct for all classes of stock is much easier, comparing the.prices with last year; but , the Southdown lamb has more than held 'its own with other breeds. The drop in prices is largely attributable to the congestion of sheep due to most of the freezing works being unable to handle tho quantity they are equipped for: this is duo to tho shortage of butchers, and of course, to shipping space beinp; anything but plentiful. One is optimistic enough to predict there should be an improvement in prices next year. This applies more particularly to store sheep than to fats, as no doubt the epidemic has been a means towards congesting (he market,' and one naturally expects and can confidently look forward to tho shipping being far more plentiful. The price breeding ewes are making I his year should tempt graziers to give their attention to this profitably branch of farming, and those on the look out for suitable owes will do well to attend the Pohiatua annual ewe fair conducted by tho Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association, Ltd., stock department, Iq be.held in their Mangahao yards next Monday, February 24, tho 'sale commencing at 11.30 a.m. sharp. The sheep from the Bush districts have a reputation for clipping having excellent 'constitutions and thriving wherever they go.—(Published by arrangement.)