SHEEP NUMBERS IN IMPORTANT COUNTRIES 



In" Australia the 1925 sheep population had risen to slightly above the 

 ninety million mark from a point slightly below the eighty million mark in 1920. 



In New South Wales there has been a sharp increase from about thirty 

 million head in 1920 to a little more than forty million head by 1925. 



In New Zealand there has been little net change from a number close to 

 twenty-four million head in 1920, while the United Kingdom shows a slight loss 

 from the 1920 number of about twenty-five million head. 



In these important countries the net 1920-1925 change has been that of an 

 increase of more than five per cent. 



RECENT TREND IN NUMBERS, WORLD 



Estimates for thirteen important countries in 1926 show a total of 239,- 

 929,000 head or three per cent increase over 1925 and brings the number in these 

 countries practically back to the pre-war level. These countries represent over 

 one-third of the total world numbers in pre-war times and a relatively large 

 percentage of the numbers in export producing countries. Still further increases 

 are indicated for 1927 notably in Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, 

 United States and probably the Union of South Africa. In Australia the 1927 

 number according to Australian correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, may 

 reach one hundred million compared with ninety-seven million head in 1926 and 

 ninety-three and one-tenth million head in 1925. 



WORLD WOOL PRODUCTION 



World wool production for 1926 was placed at 3,024,500,000 pounds com- 

 pared with 2,998,160,000 pounds in 1925 and represents practically a return from 

 the post-war slump to the pre-war average. Seven countries producing the bulk 

 of the improved type of wool had 1,989,054,000 pounds in 1926 compared with 

 1,963,141,000 pounds in 1925. 



WOOL PRODUCTION IN UNITED STATES 



The 1926 preliminary estimate of wool production in the United States in 

 1926 was 269,054,000 pounds compared with 253,907,000 pounds in 1925; 242,- 

 405,000 pounds in 1924; 224,330000 pounds in 1923 and 1909-1913 average pro- 

 duction of 272,248,000 pounds. 



WOOL PRODUCTION MONTANA 



The 1926 wool clip was estimated at 23,672,000 pounds compared with 20,- 

 967,000 pounds in 1925; 19,314,000 pounds in 1924; 17,775,000 pounds in 1923 

 and the 1909-1913 average of 33,230,000 pounds. 



1927 WOOL OUTLOOK 



World wool production in 1926 was slightly larger than in 1925 and the 

 largest of the post-war period. London prices of wool are below those a year 

 ago, but at the opening of the year the market was firm and demand generally 

 good. Low southern hemisphere stocks at the beginning of the 1926-1927 shear- 

 ing season, together with prospects of improvement in industrial conditions in 

 the United Kingdom and a good demand from Germany are strengthening fac- 

 tors in the outlook for 1927. 



1927 MUTTON OUTLOOK 



Sheep and lamb slaughter in the United States has been gradually increas- 

 ing since 1922 and federal inspected slaughter for 1926, amounting to nearly 

 thirteen million head was eight per cent larger than in 1925 and the largest 

 since 1921. 



Lambs on feed at the opening of the year were eight per cent less than 

 on January 1, 1926. Increased numbers in the corn belt were more than off- 

 set by decreases outside the corn belt especially in Colorado and western Ne- 

 braska feeding areas. 



Consumptive demand for lamb continued strong through 1926, dressed lamb 

 prices decreasing no more than in proportion with the increased market sup- 

 plies. Allowing for the usual 1.5 per cent annual increase in demand due to- 

 population growth, the possible slight decline in business activity in 1927 is 

 not expected to lower 1927 demand compared with 1926. 



A recovery from the relatively low present (January 1927) prices of lambs 

 is expected by spring as the decreased supplies of fed lambs become a market 

 factor. The second half of the 1927 marketing season will reflect the size 



