RECORD SHEEP FLOCKS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 178, 29 June 1937, Page 6

RECORD SHEEP FLOCKS.

Figures unequalled in the history of the Dominion are contained in the latest interim return of sheep flocks. According to the Gazette there were 31,210,734 sheep in the Dominion on April 30, an increase of 1,097,030 on the final figures for the previous year, and, as the interim calculations are always on the conservative side, it is safe to say that this year’s final figures will show an even greater increase. The census is an impressive pointer to the importance of this great pastoral industry which, after a temporary check, is back again into its own and expanding rapidly. The North Island, of course, supplies the greater part of the increase, and now has more than 17 million sheep. The previous Dominion record was established in 1930, following several years of steady increases. Prior to 1928 the Dominion record was 26,538,000 (created in 1918); ten years later it became 27,133,810; and by 1930 the then peak of 30,841,287 (or 369,447 lower than this year’s figures) was reached. A change came over the industry, however, with the fall in wool prices. Many farmers changed over to dairying, while breeding sheep were slaughtered in lieav;y numbers, with the result that by April, 1931, a fall of 1,049,000 in the sheep population had occurred. This downward movement continued until 1933, when another change, most favourable this time, occurred and since then the flocks have steadily increased. Owing to the bright outlook for this industry, it is likely that it will continue to expand, and may in some measure assist in adjusting economic difficulties of farmers as related to dairying against sheep farming.