North American breeding programs going well

SANDY PARKER REPORT, VOL. 30, ISSUE 5, MAR. 20, 2006
The following extract is reproduced with permission from Sandy Parker Reports, Weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for more than four decades. For most of that time he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements in the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it.
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International Fur News
with Sandy Parker
North American breeding programs going well
NORTH AMERICAN MINK RANCHERS ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR BREEDING SEASON and the reports from the farms are that the programs are going very well so far. With just another week to go, the weather in the major farm areas across the continent has remained cooperatively cold, more so than when retailers needed it to facilitate their sales. But despite the big price increases over the past two years that have brought many farmers from a break-even, or even losing position well into the black, there are no reports of major increases in production or expansion of herds. Current estimates are that U.S. farms held back only about 3% to 5% more females for breeding this year, while Canadians – mainly in Nova Scotia – are breeding about 8% to 10% more.
Much of the ranchers’ higher earnings are said to have been going into debt repayment, farm repairs and some new equipment. A few major operators have been investing in new labor-saving pelting equipment that claim to improve the finish of their skins. For most of the smaller operators, however, expansion may be out of the question because of their advanced age and absence of children willing to take over.
IMPORTS OF FUR APPAREL INTO THE U.S. showed an unexpectedly sharp increase in January after a year of almost steady decline. A possible explanation is that part of the imports may actually have come in during the latter part of December but, because of holiday interruptions, may not have been entered until the new year. Lending support to this is the fact that the December figure showed a larger decline than previous months. According to the latest Commerce Dept. data, January imports from all sources amounted to $14.6 million, an increase of 46% over the same month a year ago.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Frankfurt Fair Called Success
Attendance Turns Upward
Milan Event Has Active Opening
Mink Breeding in Good Start
U.S. Imports Up in January
For extracts from back issues of Sandy Parker Reports see News Index. Subscribers can access an archive of complete issues at www.sandyparker.com.
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