THE SHEEP BREEDS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21315, 7 November 1934, Page 8

THE SHEEP BREEDS

HOW THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED The province of Canterbury is fortunate in the possession of country suitable for the production of the most desirable grade of wool—merino, Corriedale, and halfbred. The South Island, as a matter of fact, almost exclusively farms these breeds, whilst North Island concentration is on the Romney. This circumstance removes from Canterbury flocks the application of the criticism concerning inferior wool, as, conversely, it directs criticism to the flocks of provinces where the Romney is predominant on account of its outstanding lamb and mutton characteristics. The following table shows the distribution of the various breeds of sheep in each island, in the Dominion as a whole, and in Canterbury:— Stud Sheep Entered in Flock Book Canter-

"The fat cattle exhibits were a disgrace to the association," said Mr Jos. Webb the judge, ai the Manawatu show last week. "Only three beasts were shown, and surely in a district like the Manawatu there .should Be sufficient entries forthcoming to warrant a good display." This sort of criticism is quite refreshing, and it could apply to more shows than the Manawatu.

Merino Lincoln Romney B. Leicester E. Leicester Shropshire .. Southdown Ryeland Corriedale .. Other breeds North bury- BomiIsland. Kaikoura. nion. 4 10,155 21,694 4,772 33 5,178 108,414 5,689 176,811 478 12,301 22,698 996 19,760 24,200 240 1,903 3,049 65,711 27,639 101,794 2,200 1,547 4,166 788 30,114 43,581 125 2,496 3,402 Totals .. 183,728 111,637 406,573 Not Entered in Flock Book CanterNorth bury- DomiIsland. Kaikoura. nion. Merino .. 28,713 525,463 1,125,252 Lincoln 42,587 8,349 58,825 Romney .. 3,072,483 97,542 3,639,409 B. Leicester 7,028 25,982 E. Leicester 4,485 33-746 47,97j Shronshire 2,658 5,329 13,026 Southdown 133,386 24,896 176,452 -Rveland 1,025 1,414 3,02b Corrfcdale 47,372 670,183 1,223,906 Halibred .. 119,3791,171,773 2,256,215 Other breeds totalled 1,777,859 and 3189 respectively, and crossbreds 11,309,408, 2,514,210, and 18,750,751.