Messrs McNicol & Co.’s Sheep Fair

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2073, 1 February 1898, Page 2

Messrs McNicol & Co.’s Sheep Fair

To-morrow the first sheep fair (says the Argus) of the season starts, when MessrsMcNicolandCb. hold their--annual Ohaupo fixture. There is little business done with store sheep in Waikato from shearing time till February, and buyers coming from all parts of the province to the approach- ' ing sale, the price is’ practically fixed for the next few months.* For the last few seasons cattle graziers have not had a very rosy time ; the low prices ruling for fat bullocks, coming on top of a drought, which, does not tend to, fatten, readily makes a profit gatheran uncertainty; under these circumstances, and knowing a dry season suits the flock master, we fully expect to see a large number of settlers who hitherto have held to cattle now go in for sheep, from which an owner can, at least expect a clear profit of the season’s clip. Again, a large area of country taken up a few years ago is. now capable of carrying sheep, so that there should be, and we- fully expect, a really good sale for all classes of." sound sheep. High prices cannot be expected aor are- they desired* but the requirements fair and payaoie prices will be Jrealised., The 20,000 i advertised in Messrs McNicol’s catalogue, are from the principal breedersthroughout the district, and comprise 4500 healthy lambs, 4000 two and, fourrtooth wethers, 2500 two and fourtooth maiden ewes, 8000 crossbred and: longwool' ewes four-tooth to fresh full, mouth, and 1300 fat ewes and wethers.. On the second day, Thursday, 3rd February, the sale will be continned at 9; a.ta. with 400 pure-bred Lincoln Romney, Marsh, English and Border Leicester and Shropshire rams from the best breeders in the district, and for these sheep, a good demand i& assured.