On the Land

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 466, 22 September 1928, Page 29

On the Land

N.Z. Stock Resources NO REAL SHORTAGE Healthy Prices Forecasted MUCH has been heard lately of an alleged shortage of sheep and beef cattle in New Zealand. IVTany attribute the present advanced market levels largely to this factor. Dominion live stock statistics show that this is not so. While killings of fat stock last year may have been large, the total number of sheep and cattle still held in New Zealand compares very favourably with the figures for previous years. This is particularly so in regard to sheep.

Dominion live stock statistics for 1927 showed a very substantial increase in the breeding flock, and judging from the interim returns taken at the 30th April this year should show a still further increase. It is also satisfactory to note that the percentage of breeding ewes to the total flock has again increased. The following table shows that not only is the total number of breeding ewes the highest ever recorded, but so also is the percentage of breeding ewes to

The interim return of flocks on April 30, 1928, showed the highest figure the Dominion has ever reached, the total number being over 1,350,000 more than during 1927. Figures taken during that month with the freezing season not yet completed are inclined to be misleading, however, as' the final killings for freezing are inclined to make an appreciable difference. These figures, even judged at a discount, are very satisfactory, however. An indication of thg increase in the flocks in the various districts during the past two years can be taken from the following table: Total

These figures show the North Island increase in two years as approximately 600,000, whilst the South Island has notched up an increase of practically 1,500,000, a figure which will be slightln reduced by the excess killings after the 30th April this year. Apart from the amazing increase in the Otago and Southland figures of nearly a million, the special feature is Canterbury’s increase of over half a million, or nearly as much as the whole of the North Island. The Can-

terbury figures have only once been exceeded since 1895, this year’s total of 5,505,000 comparing with 5,557,000 in 1914. From the above tables it can be seen that any rumour regarding a shortage of sheep in the country cannot be taken too seriously. The position in regard to cattle is not quite so satisfactory. The statistical position was showing an improvement up to the beginning of this year, but since then killings have been fairly heavy. Nevertheless it does not seem that there is any danger of a serious shortage in the near future.

Overseas influences are almost solely responsible for the present healthy state of the New Zealand market. The market for hides and skins is good while frozen meat on the London market is meeting with a firm demand. Thus at the moment local buyers are forced to exceed exporters’ levels in order to hold the stock. Overseas buyers have not been far behind the market right through the winter and have taken quite an appreciable quota of stock. Near future indications are healthy and augur well for the producer. Reports from overseas indicate that the market for wool should be sustained at present levels for some time and the industrial conditions in the United Kingdom should see a sustained healthy demand for frozen meat.

rhe total flocks:— Percentage Total Breeding Total Breeding Ewes Flocks. Ewes. to Total. 1914-19 ( Average) 25,354,262 12,842,064 50.2 1920 .. .. 22,919,970 11,569,675 48.4 1921 .. .. 23,285,031 12,147,788 52.2 1922 .. .. 22,222,259 12,496,054 56.2 1923 .. •• 23,081,439 13,063,003 56.6 1924 .. .. 23,775,776 13,076,094 54.9 1925 .. .. 24,547,955 13,715,223 55.9 1926 .. .. 24,904,993 13,948,252 56.0 1927 .. .. 25,649,016 14,831,730 57.8 1928 (Interim) 27,001,236

Increase Increase Increase in Two in 12)27. in 1928. Years. Auckland .. .. 44,000 80,000 130,000 Hawkes Bay and Poverty Bay S2.000 190,000 272,000 ‘Wellington and Taranaki 1,000 196,000 197,000 Marlborough, Nelson and Westland «. 17,000 1 9,000* 2,000* Canterbury 131,000 403,000 534,000 Otago and Southland .. 469,000 496,000 965,000 Total N.Z. 74 4,000 1,352,000 : 2,096,000 • Less.