BRIGHT REVIVAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 54, 13 December 1946, Page 5

BRIGHT REVIVAL

EXPORT LAMB COMPETITION , BLUE RIBBON TO H. J, McCOSKER Three Southdown Romney-eross lambs entered by by Mr H. J. McCosker, of Riverside, described by Mr M. Hannan, an inspector of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board who- acted as one of the three judges, as very compact and even carcases, carried off the blue ribbon yesterday at the first export lamb competition held in the Ashburton County since 1939. Results of the chmpetition, which was decided entirely in the hooks, were as follow: Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Export Co. Ltd. Challenge Cup for best pen of lambs, not. less than 301bs or more than 3Glbs dressed weight:— H. J. McCosker, Southdown Romneyeross (331bs, 34, 30) 1. A. E. Gill, Southdown three-quarter-bred-cross (311bs, 32, 32) 2. L. C. Anderson, Southdown half-bred-cross (361bs, 35, 33) 3. A. Holmes, Southdown Corriedalecross, (341bs, 34, 32) 4. J. Brand, Southdown Border Romneyeross (341bs, 34, 35). Lyttelton Harbour Board Challenge Cup for best two. pens of lambs -exhibited by one breeder: —A. E. Gill (Greenstreet), Southdown three-quar-tef-bred-cross (331bs, 31, 32, 32, 32, 31) Ashburton A. and P. Association’s Cup for drafter of winning pen of lambs: —F. Ford (also winner in 1939). The best individual lamb was entered by J. Davidson, a returned soldier of the Second World War. Seven lots of three carcases were selected for the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board’s competition for South Island lambs which will be judged in England. The lots selected were entered by H, J. McCosker, A. E. Gill (2), Estate J. Bonifant, L. C. Anderson, L. W. Aiington, A. Holmes. • Some Difficulty Over Evenness Commenting on the standard of the exhibits, Mr Hannan, one of the judges, said that while there was a very good array, there had been some difficulty in securing even lots of three, as many lambs had extra condition on in places. The standard of the dressing was very satisfactory, he commented. The outstanding success of this first fixture in the post-war period must have been extremely gratifying to the sheep committee of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, under the chairmanship of E. P. Cookson, responsible for the arrangements. In the first place the event attracted a record field of breeders, no fewer than 187 entries being received by the secretary (Mr W. H. Amos). Each entry comprised a pen of three lambs, and most breeders put forward two pens. In 1939 the entry totalled only 128. In the second place, with the Fairfield freezing works .thrown open to them, the farming community and others interested in the competition turned out in strength yesterday, about 600 being present and taking a keen interest in the operation from the penning of the sheep till the time they were hanging dressed on 'the hooks. A feature was the marked interest of the women.

For many visitors the occasion was something in the nature of a field day. In the morning they saw a fine array of good conditioned lambs in the pens. The animals 'Were generally looking in good heart, though some breeders were inclined to the opinion that the abnormally wet season had tended to make them a little backward. One breeder commented, however, that tis lambs had improved out of all measure in the last three Weeks, and that they, were now in better nick than at this time last year. To those unfamiliar with the operation of the freezing works, it was a point of interest to see the shrewd old decoy leading the unwitting and. innocent young iambs up a steep incline to the slaughter house. Then the lambs went onto the chain and as they moved along butchers deftly performed allotted operations until the carcases, fuily dressed, were ready for the cooling room, where Messrs M. Hannan and G. Lennox, inspectors of the New

Zealand Meat Producers’ Board and D. Miller (inspector of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company) carried out the judging. Spectators Take Keen Interest Every phase of the dperation was watched with interest by the visitors. Right throughout the morning the killing room was thronged and in the afternoon the public viewed the car- ' cases, which were all marked as to ! weight. At midday the visitors were entertained at a light lunch on the lawn in the front of the works office by the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company. Appreciation of the high standard of exhibits and record entry was expressed by Mr J. Blair (president oi the Asliburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association) at the close of the luncheon. In the years during which the competition had lapsed some breeders had passed away, but others had come on to take their place, he said, and it seemed that the standard of the competition was in safe keeping. Mr Blair thanked those present for their attendance. The competition was of great value to breeders, said Mr J. Deans (chairman of directors of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company), and could give them an indication of the type of lamb to produce. Ft was not always the sheep that looked best on the hoof that killed out best, commented the speaker* Farmers would have to look more to quality, be continued. There was another question calling for consideration the lamb producing the highest poundage of meat per acre. Mr Deans said he was pleased to see so many young men and also women present. The latter had probably been looking after the sheep during the last. few years, he added. Meat Producers’ Board While he had been a representative on the electoral college of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board over the last six or seven years he had noticed a difference in the board, said Mr Pv. G. Gerard, M.P. Once it had been very difficult, to get information on what the Meat Board was doing. The change had largely been due to the new chairman (Mr Gilbert. Grigg), who had shown initiative and had taken farmers into his confidence. Mr Grigg said the large attendance indicated the,interest being taken in

the fat lamb trade and the producing of quality meat. The board’s competition, judged in London, had not been held during the war years, he said, but this year it was hoped to judge the lambs at Smithfield. It would be a, great advertisement for New Zealand lamb to have the competition held in England again. One of the greatest jobs of the board in the past had been to advertise New Zealand lamb in Great Britain, and in one brief period the sale had doubled, much of the credit for this being due to the London staff. A great deal more would have to be spent on advertising in the future, he commented. After afternoon tea, again supplied by courtesy of the company, the presentation of prizes was made. Mr Deans, as chairman of directors' of the company, handed the Canterbury Frozben Meat and Dairy Produce Export Co., Ltd. challenge cup over to Mr McCosker. The Lyttelton Harbour Board’s cup was presented to Mrs Gill, in the absence of her husband, by Mr P. J. Mowat, representing the board. Mr Mowat congratulated the Meat Board, the A. and P. Association, and the Meat Company on the revival of the competition. . Mr Blair presented the A. and P. Association’s cup to Mr F. Ford, and announced that, a prize would be sent to Mr J. Girvan. Appreciation was expressed .of the hospitality of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, and Mr W. M. Skevington specially thanked the women who had helped with the refreshments. Amongst those present yesterday were Messrs R. D. lies (general manager of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company), W. Minehan (manager of the Pareora branch), John Grigg (a local director of the company), G. M. Breeze (local manager) and P. D. Garrick (manager of the Belfast branch and at one time manager at Fairfield).