WAITOMO COUNTY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 12

WAITOMO COUNTY

STOCK SHOW INCREASE 70 PER CENT MORE SHEEP Remarkable progress during the last decade is shown in the figures of the stock population of the Waitomo County, supplied by the Government statistician. An increase of 70 per cent in the numbers of sheen carried, of 42 per cent in the number of total cattle, and of seven per cent in the number of dairy cows in milk is disclosed in the return. I* is also worthy of note that the county of Waitomo contains more sheep than any other in the Auckland province, ar.d is in fact rivalled by only one county, Raglan, in this regard. The total number of sheep in the county at April 30, 1929, was 269,476. By the same date in 1939 the total had risen to 456,761, or by a fraction below 70 per cent. During the same period breeding ewes Increased Ly just on 75 per cent, from 154,841 to 269,476. Taking into account rhe fluctuations due to market conditions the increase has been steady throughout the decade, which has seen a tremendous expansion m the number of fat lambs sent forward. More Cattle Carried The number of cattle carried increased from 58,456 as at January 1, 1929, to 82,540 at the same date in 1940, or by 42 per cent, and now Waite mo probably ranks as the most important county for run cattle in the province. Cows in milk show a lesser increase, from 12,662 to 13,504, but with the great improvement that has occurred in pastures, and with the large areas of good easy country that could be made available for dairying, it appears that more and more emphasis is likely to be placed upon this more intensive form of farming. Evidence of what has brought about these remarkable increases in carrying capacity can be seen on all sides throughout the district, pastures having improved out of all recognition, whilst steady development has brought in new country. Part of the Increase must be due to the work of the land development branch and the native scheme, but by far the greatest portion has come as a result of the efforts of the private farmer.