STUD SHEEP BREEDERS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20415, 9 December 1931, Page 4

STUD SHEEP BREEDERS.

ADVISORY COUNCIL SUGGESTED For some time members of the different sheep breeding gCcieties of NewZealand have considered proposals which have for their object the creation of co-ordination among the societies. The movement has inucli to commend it, but so far very little progress lias been made towards putting the idea into practice. Under the existing conditions, each sheep breed society, and for that matter each cattle breed society, has a separate voice on national questions concerning tho sheep breeding and cattle rearing industries. They meet and arrive at decisions which have a national character and pass them on to the powers that be for consideration, (pertain prominent breeders hold that it would be better for sheep breeders if there were created a New Zealand Stud Sheep Breeders' Advisory Council, which body, being representative of all sheep breed societies, would carry more weight .in representing national questions to tho Government of the day. Under such an organisation there would be no loss of identity, as each Society would be represented by its delegates, who would voice tho views of their particular society. There are many questions to-day affecting the sheep breeding industry which aro not dealt with as efficiently by the individual society as would be the case if there were created a National Advisory. Council. Such issues as the existing embargo on the importation of live stock to prevent the introduction of the' foot and mouth disease, the export of stud sheep overseas and their proper inspection, are among the major questions which could be moro satisfactorily handled, on a national basis, by an Advisory Council. Breeders themselves know that the existing conditions as to the export of stud sheep are not all they should be. In the business of the export of stud sheep it is to the advantage of the breed societies, as representing' the sheep breeding industry of New Zealand, to see that the purchasers secure the value they are entitled to, but the existing conditions do not altogether secure this. There are many other points which suggest the need for such an Advisory Council, and if the sheep breeders make the first move, it should not be long before all stud stock breod societies are represented on an orgaui-

sation destined to fulfil an important role in the development of our live stock industry. ,

An siuthoritativo American forecast issued on October 16th and covering up to November 30th mentions that tlie uniact leaks out tliat the Russian grain crops arc not only quite short, but that the Governmental procurements jye behind last year's-with an "unsatisfactory outlook for the future. The peasants of the Volga Basin and the Ukraine have a premonition of an extremely severe winter, and arc burying their grains to keep them from being commandeered. Even the cooperative and State farms are demanding unusual reserves foriseed and foo'd. The agricultural representative of the "Telegraph" as a result of a trip through the major portion of the Hawke's Bay Province, is of opinion that a very definite movement towards the use' of the' plough is in existence. Country which should by rights have been in furrow years ago is being treated to the plough now. One would be fairly safe to gamble that this season's acreage would be far in advance of any other.