FLOCK EWES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21808, 13 June 1936, Page 5

FLOCK EWES

JUDGE’S AWARDS GIVEN MID-CANTERBURY COMPETITION Judging in the Mid-Canterbury flock ewe competition was completed yesterday, when there was a good following of farmers who took a keen interest in the flocks inspected during the day. The total number of farms visited in the competition was 15, on which 24 flocks were inspected. The competitors, judges, and interested farmers were entertained at a social last evening by the Ashburton, Methven, and Mayfield Agricultural and Pastoral Associations at which the results were announced. Mr G. Kelly, chairman of the competition committee and president of the Methven Agn. cultural and Pastoral Association, presided. . , . The challenge cup presented by the Ashburton, Methven. and Mayfield Associations for the champion flock of the county was won by Mr C. G. C. Harper (Hackthorne) for the fourth time in succession. He also won the challenge cup presented by the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association for the most points in the competition. The judges were; Messrs H. C. H. Withell H. C. Barton, and A. P. Bruce (representing the Ashburton Association), D. Johnston, L. R. Harrison, and G. B. Murdoch (Mayfield). F. S. McDonald, L. L. Richards, and R. C. Todhunter (Methven), with Messrs G. Campbell (Methven). Gordon Johnston (Mayfield), and Duncan Cochrane (Ashburton) as supervisors. The awards were as follows: — Two-tooth and over, halfbred or Corriedale ewes, with 5 per cent, optional rejection, minimum 150 (constitution and carcase 70 points, wool 15, uniformity and type 15): J. H. Grigg (Longbeach) 1, C. G. C. Harper 2, J. Gregory (Seafleld) 3. Halfbred or Corriedale ewe lambs, with 5 per cent, optional rejection, minimum 50 lambs; R. J. Martin (Seafleld) 1, C. G. C. Harper 2, E. J. Banks (Carew) 3. Three-quarterbred or crossbred ewe lambs, with 5 per cent, optional rejection, minimum 50 lambs: Dr. A. J. Orchard (Westerfleld) 1, V. W. Wright (Methven) 2. Crossbred or three-quarterbred ewes, any age, with 5 per cent, optional rejection, special consideration to be given to the flock most suitable for the production of fat lambs: F. P. Cookson (Eiffelton) 1. Junior judging competition; S. Sewell (Mayfield) 1, J, Martin 2. Proposing the toast of the exhibitors Mr Withell referred to the interest taken in the competition and to the creditable manner in which the farmers had displayed their flocks. A pleasing feature, he said, was that the competition brought together the three associations in the county. A total of 16.979 sheep had been entered. The presentation of cups and certificates was made by Mr Kelly, who said it required a great deal of time and care to bring a flock up to the standard of Mr Harper’s sheep. "All the flocks were a credit, and it was a pleasure to see the way they had improved upon last year’s standard,” said Mr Todhunter. On behalf of the judges he stated that it would be difficult to find a better flock of sheep in New Zealand than Mr Grigg's Corriedales. Mr Harper’s sheep were also wonderful for his class of country and were very densely-woolled.

Other toasts honoured were: “Junior Judges,” “Supervisors,” “Judges,” and “Ashburton, Methven, and Mayfield Agricultural and Pastoral Associations,”