BREEDERS’ OPPORTUNITY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23263, 25 February 1941, Page 6

BREEDERS’ OPPORTUNITY

DOMINION’S PRINCIPAL FAIR

Almost as old as the association itself is the annual stud and flock ram fair held in March at Addington Show Grounds by the Canterbury Agricultural and t Pastoral Association. Delving into the records it can be gathered that the flrsi ram fair was held on February 27,1873—singularly enough the same day of the month as this year's fair. This fair, however, was conducted by the auctioneers, the association not controlling it in any way. But in 1874, on March 6, the association held Its first annual ram fair. That gives the fair a life of 67 years. In that long span it has become the most important stock auction of its kind in the Dominion. As many rams may be disposed of at fairs in other provinces, but none approaches the local fair in the breeds as well as the numerical strength of the entry at the Christchurch auction. It Is this diversification of breeds which gives the local fair its special significance, and which ensures competition from far outside the province’s boundaries. Many breeders from other provinces, as a matter of fact, make the Christchurch Fair the occasion of their annual visit to the city.

This year’s fair will mark an important change, which, it is confidently expected by the association and the auctioneering firms, will be to the general advantage. This Is the separation of the two fairs, and the expediting of the date of the stud fair to February, leaving the flock sale at the customary dates, Which, long experience lias shown is the most suitable. It is not so plain, however, that after the middle of March is the most suitable period for the stud sale. However, a change was inescapable for other reasons—the steady expansion of the fairs in recent years and the depletion of staffs brought about by military necessities.

When buyers range themselves around the pens each March to compete for their needs, perhaps very few of them give much thought to the amount of labour entailed in penning up In five sheep lots, and classing them, something like 6000 sheep, the number which approximately Is offered at the flock sale. Following this Job is the conducting of three sales simultaneously, with the necessary clerking staffs and stock men in the pens from early forenoon until late in the day. On top of this is the crowd-

ing of the firm’s offices arranging for transport for the purchases to practically all parts of the island. It is not until after all this that the staffs can call it ft day and prepare themselves for the smaller repetition the day following. The new order will ease this work, especially now that staffs have been so depleted. • There has been some opinion that the stud fair has been affected by being delayed until the flock Jalr past the middle of March. This belief was supported to some extent at last fair,

when mediocre rams of one particular breed, which had not been sold at the earlier northern fairs, were sent to Christchurch. The earlier date of the fair should ensure the better sheep be : i" sent from these quarters, rather than the indifferent. Buyers also would undoubtedly prefer to have an earlier opportunity than that provided in mid-March to make their purchases. For these reasons the change should be welcome to stud breeders. In the past, their position has been subsidiary to that of the flock seller and buyer. Sources of Entries Reference has been made to the widespread area from' which entries to ♦* stud fair are drawn. Corriedales, Romneys, and occasionally Southdowns are sent regularly from the North Island. Romneys from Nelson Province have been a feature for many years. Southdown, merinos, and Lincolns have also been entered freely from Marlborough Province. Otago Province is a steady contributor of Southdowns and Romneys, arto occasionally Border Leicesters and Corriedales. Canterbury itself provides all the breeds of sheep known In the Dominion’s sheep husbandry. One or two of the old-established breeds have disappeared from the list this year, but newer breeds, or those which are coming into favour for special needs, are taking their place. Of the disappearing breeds the merino might be mentioned. It is not represented by a single ram this year. The fact is a striking commentary on the changes that have taken place in the sheep husbandry of the country in the last half century. The merino then dominated the sheep position of the country.

Amongst the old breeds which have practically disappeared from representation at the stud fair are Shropshires, a popular lamb breed until the Southdown practically swept all be fore it. Only one representative of the Shropshire breed will be offered on Thursday. Lincolns have also declined—from 23 to five, Like the Shropshire, the Lincoln does not fit into the general scheme of specialised sheep raising. It is a rather in-, teresting reflexion, however, that the two breeds on which were based the now dominant Canterbury breed, the Corriedale, are now practically unrepresented at the fair.