EXPORT OF LAMB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 297, 15 December 1936, Page 9

EXPORT OF LAMB.

"NO NEED FOR FEAR."

ARGENTINE COMPETITION

OPINION OF VISITOR.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday

The view tliat while there would undoubtedly be a great improvement in the quality of frozen lamb exported from Argentina, New Zealand need not fear strong competition in this direction, was expressed to-day by Mr. A. A. Cameron, a visitor from Buenos Ayres. Mr. Cameron was born in Otago, but has spent the greater part of his life in the Argentine, building up a large estate there. Mr. Cameron said that on his present tour of New Zealand he had purchased Corriedale and Ryeland rams. He intended also to buy some Southdown ewes. Professor Hammond, the noted English authority, had recently visited the Argentine, presumably at the request of the Agricultural Department, to advise farmers on fat lamb production "for export. The result might be to give an impetus to this branch of farming. At the same time farmers in the agricultural provinces were not so favourably inclined towards sheep, and Mr. Cameron said he did not think New Zealand need fear strong competition. The Argentine farmer worshipped cattle, and particul /"y the beef breeds. Owing to the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease, he did not think either that the dairy industry would make any great strides. Up to the present dairy production was conducted in rather a slipshod way. Professor Hammond had advised the Argentine farmers that the best crosses with Roninev Marsh and Lincoln breeds for fat lamb production were Ryelands and Southdowns. The professor gave addresses throughout the country and had made a deep-impression.

Concerning foot-and-mouth disease, Mr. Cameron said that if by any chance it was introduced to New Zealand it would mean ruination of the dairy industry. With the quarantine restrictions "and the length of time taken on the journey in bringing stock out from England, Mr. Cameron thought there would be li'f.le risk of infection, but the results would be so disastrous if the disease were introduced that he thought it best perhaps that the embargo on British stock should be continued.

Sheep were not so badly affected by the disease, but the production of fat lambs would be considerably hampered.