EXPORT LAMB COMPETITION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22081, 1 May 1937, Page 19

EXPORT LAMB COMPETITION

SMITHFIELD JUDGES' PRAISE SOUTH ISLAND EXHIBIT The Smithfield judges' awards in the South Island District Export Lamb Competition promoted by the New Zealand Meat Producers* Board have been received, with their detailed reTen districts were represented in this year's competition, representing an entry of 450 lambs. The Imported Meat Trade Association appointed Messrs D. C. Messent, F H. Dennison, and E. H. Fitter as judges, and-their task occupied six "In view of the high quality of the lambs which habitually compete in these competitions," they reported, it has become a commonplace for us to remark that to carry out the judging is an exceedingly difficult job. As the years go on it is, if possible, getting increasingly difficult, as generally speaking, the whole of the lambs put before us are exceedingly choice wellbred lambs." Guided by what in their opinion represented the most suitable lamb for the English trade, the judges unanimously agreed in awarding the board s silver challenge shield to Eastern Southland. They placed North Otago second. Southland third, and South Canterbury fourth. "Competitors will realise," comment the judges, "that in a collection of such magnificent lambs it is only very small points which fault a pen, and that we are frequently obliged to discard a pen which contains two perfect lambs, but is spoilt by the inclusion o* one lamb not up to the standard of the other two. The competing districts this year were very much more even than in any previous South Island competition. That is to say, that no one or two districts stood out well ahead of the others. All of them contained a high proportion of perfect lambs, but we placed them in the above order after carefully weighing the individual merits of each district as a wfeole." - The judges' reports on each district display are as follows: — Mid-Canterbury These lambs, whilst of most desirable build yet as a group showed a distinct tendency to excess of fat on loin, but in contrast to this they were fleshy and not excessive in interior waste. The shoulders and legs were lean and plump and the exhibit as a whole —apart from its slight tendency to excess fat—was a very commendable one. Canterbury North—A group of lambs, which, whilst of attractive size and having well developed and well covered legs, yet contained too many | lambs carrying an excess of fat. Quite i a proportion of individual lambs were also not up to that ideal of shape and make so conspicuous in other disi tricts. , i South Canterbury—A most attractive exhibit, representing lambs of ideal size and of excellent quality. The great improvement in shape and make was pronounced, and it was universally conceded that the exhibit as a whole was perhaps the most attractive from the London point of vjew that this district has entered since the inauguration of the South Island lamb competition. Nelson—A very creditable group of lambs. If a little heavier than some other districts, yet quite as fleshy and of excellent quality. It must be emphasised, however, that it is the smalL compact carcase to which the London butcher gives preference. Marlborough—A group of very attractive lambs of good shape and make. Generally speaking, lean and fleshy and of good quality. Very ! good butchers' meat. Central Otago—A most interestine exhibit, comprising lambs of excellent quality 'and of good shape and make. Very fleshy, with no suggestion of excessive fat. A group of lambs which created a very good impression. North Otago—A group of excellent lambs of good shape and comprising a considerable number of carcases of exceptional merit; conspicuous for squareness of build and an abundance of flesh. South Otago—A remarkably even run of lambs of exceptional quality. As a whole the shape and make was of a very high standard. 'The exhibit may be accurately described as an exceedingly attractive collection of lambs. Southland —A group of lambs of high merit. A very even run, fleshy, and of excellent quality. Eastern Southland (winner of Challenge Shield)—A most attractive exhibit, the lambs being of ideal size and build and carrying an abundance of flesh with no internal waste. Ideal butchers' meat. A further selection made by the judges was for the purpose of awarding tt\e prizes offered by the Meat Producers' Board for the best individual pens of lambs in the competition. The judges state that, as usual, they had the greatest difficulty in .placing the best three pens in the whole exhibit. The whole exhibit was displayed by H. S. Fitter and Sons, Ltd., on one of the most prominent stalls in Smithfield Market, great interest being taken by both the retail and wholesale sections of the trade. Among the visitors was the Hon. Walter Nash, Minister for Finance, and Mr W. J. Jordan, New Zealand High Commissioner. They expressed great pleasure at the fine show and the good attendance of representatives of the-meat trade. . ,