SHEEP FOR WAIKATO

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 131, 9 January 1939, Page 4

SHEEP FOR WAIKATO

VERY FEW ON ROAD / MOBS FROM POVERTY BAY FEWER BEING SENT GISBORNE, Friday. Very, few sheep are yet on the road from Gisborne and -Coast districts for the annual movement northwards, and tlie opinion has been expressed that the total to be moved 1 from these areas this year will reach only over a third of the numbers of the past few seasons. Last- year ‘Gisborne and Coast districts supplied over 250,000 sheep to the Waikato- practically all being breeding ewes, and the previous year the figure was. estimated at 000.000. If the estimate that only one-third of recent numbers will go north this year proves correct, • under 103,000 will be moved. /• The main movement of sheep northward is expected to commence from next week. So far only a few of the early mobs have left their stations. Also, within another week shipments will commence by the Pakura, which is fitted up this year for the sheep traffic, and she is scheduled- to take her first shipment from Tolaga Bay on January 14. ■ '

A limited amomit of forward’ buying of Gisborne breeding ewes was done by Waikato buyers last month, but this ceased, before the end of the month. Most Gisborne owners do not wish to send their sheep northward on consignment, and this may have an effect on the numbers leaving the district. ’

Prices in forward deals have been on a much lower level than last season, when up to £2 was secured for some of the best lines of young breeding ewes. Bast month 2-ths. changed hands at about- 23s 6d. It is the fear that an even lower parity may rule in the Waikato saleyards that is deterring many llock-owners who did not sell forward from sending their sheep northward on consignment. As a result yardings at the Gisborne ewe fairs are expected t 0 bo heavy.

Many sheepfarmers are now in their busy season of weaning, culling and dipping, but dipping operations have been retarded on some places by a scarcity of water, which already is making itself felt.